How do you convert kilowatts to megawatts?

To convert kilowatts (kW) to megawatts (MW), multiply the power in kilowatts by 0.001 (megawatts = kilowatts × 0.001).

What is 5 kilowatts in megawatts?

5 kilowatts (5 kW) is equal to 0.005 megawatts (0.005 MW).

Which is larger, 1 kilowatt (kW) or 1 megawatt (MW)?

One megawatt (MW) is larger than one kilowatt (kW). Specifically, 1 MW equals 1,000 kW, while 1 kW is 0.001 MW.

How do I convert back from megawatts (MW) to kilowatts (kW)?

To reverse the calculation from MW to kW, multiply your megawatt value by the inverse factor 1,000 (or divide by 0.001). You can also click the Swap button in the tool above to flip directions in one click.

How many decimal places should I round kW to MW results to?

For everyday comparisons and quick estimates, rounding to 2 decimal places is usually sufficient (for example, 5 kW ≈ 0.01 MW). For engineering, laboratory, or machining specifications, select 4 or 6 decimals—or Scientific (10ⁿ) mode—in the calculator toolbar above.

Kilowatts to Megawatts Converter

Enter the power in kilowatts below to convert it to megawatts.

Megawatts to Kilowatts (MW → kW)

Convert Kilowatts to Megawatts

Enter a value in kilowatts (kW) to convert to megawatts (MW).

Value (kW)

From

Result

•

0.005megawatts

5 kW = 0.005 MW

Result updates automatically

Get Widget

Suggested Conversions

Reference:NIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Power & Radiant Flux))

[1–3] ↓

Kilowatt to Megawatt Conversion Table

Table showing various kilowatt measurements converted to megawatts. Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.

Kilowatts (kW)	Megawatts (MW)
1 kW	0.001 MW
2 kW	0.002 MW
2.5 kW	0.0025 MW
5 kW	0.005 MW
10 kW	0.01 MW
15 kW	0.015 MW
20 kW	0.02 MW
25 kW	0.025 MW
30 kW	0.03 MW
50 kW	0.05 MW

How to Convert Kilowatts to Megawatts

To convert kilowatts to megawatts, multiply the power by the following conversion ratio: 0.001 megawatts/kilowatt.

Since one kilowatt is equal to 0.001 megawatts, you can use this simple formula to convert:

megawatts = kilowatts × 0.001

The power in megawatts is equal to the power in kilowatts multiplied by 0.001.

For example, here's how to convert 5 kilowatts to megawatts using the formula above.

megawatts = (5 kW × 0.001) = 0.005 MW

How Many Megawatts Are in a Kilowatt?

There are 0.001 megawatts in a kilowatt, which is why we use this value in the formula above.

1 kW = 0.001 MW|1 MW = 1,000 kW

Our kilowatt to megawatt calculator automatically converts your power measurements with full decimal and scientific precision across US customary, imperial, and SI metric standards.

Kilowatts and megawatts are both units used to measure power. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.

What Is a Kilowatt?

A kilowatt is a unit of power equal to 1,000 watts (W), the base unit for power. Equal to 1,000 Watts (1 kJ/s). [1]

The kilowatt is classified as a metric and SI-compatible unit of power. Kilowatts can be abbreviated as kW; for example, 1 kilowatt can be written as 1 kW.

In the metric system, "kilo" is the standard SI prefix for thousands, or 10³. This makes the kilowatt (kW) a convenient decimal multiple of the watt (W).

In practice, kilowatts (kW) are widely used across large-scale industrial, bulk, and macro-level power specifications within SI metric workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.

Learn more about kilowatts in our Power Converter.

What Is a Megawatt?

A megawatt is a unit of power equal to 1,000,000 watts (W), the base unit for power. Equal to 1,000,000 Watts (1,000 kW). [2]

The megawatt is classified as a metric and SI-compatible unit of power. Megawatts can be abbreviated as MW; for example, 1 megawatt can be written as 1 MW.

In the metric system, "mega" is the standard SI prefix for millions, or 10⁶. This makes the megawatt (MW) a convenient decimal multiple of the watt (W).

In practice, megawatts (MW) are widely used across large-scale industrial, bulk, and macro-level power specifications within SI metric workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.

Learn more about megawatts in our Power Converter.

When converting power between kilowatts (kW) and megawatts (MW), keep full floating-point precision (1 kW = 0.001 MW; 1 MW = 1,000 kW) during intermediate calculations and round only the final megawatt figure to match your instrument tolerance.

More Kilowatt & Megawatt Conversions

Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our megawatts to kilowatts converter (MW to kW) to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting kilowatts to horsepower (hp), converting kilowatts to watts, or converting watts to horsepower (hp).

Convert from Kilowatts

Convert to Megawatts

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 0.001 megawatts (MW) in 1 kilowatt (kW). Conversely, 1 megawatt (MW) is equal to 1,000 kilowatts (kW).

Power Converter

Quick Info

Direct Factor: 1 kilowatt (kW) equals 0.001 megawatts (MW).
Inverse Factor: 1 megawatt (MW) equals 1,000 kilowatts (kW).
Formula: megawatts = kilowatts ÷ 1000.
Verified Precision: Anchored to official NIST SP 811 and ISO/IEC 80000 standards.

Units Comparison

Kilowatt (kW)

Equal to 1,000 Watts (1 kJ/s).

Megawatt (MW)

Equal to 1,000,000 Watts (1,000 kW).

Watt (W)

Coherent SI unit of power equal to 1 Joule per second (1 J/s).

References

[1]NIST SP 811 · NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Power & Radiant Flux)
Source
[2]NIST CUU · Derived SI Unit: Watt (W)
Source
[3]BIPM · SI Brochure (9th Ed.) — Power
Source

Related Categories

Add This Calculator to Your Site

Free HTML widget · 4 embed formats

Embed the interactive Kilowatts to Megawatts converter on your blog, classroom, or documentation page.

Customize & Get Embed Code

References

NIST · BIPM · ISO

[1]
NIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Power & Radiant Flux))·Power Metrology Standard — Kilowatts (kW) to Megawatts (MW)
NIST SP 811 Standard
[2]
NIST CUU (Derived SI Unit: Watt (W))·Unit Specifications: Kilowatt (kW) & Megawatt (MW)
NIST CUU Specification
[3]
BIPM (SI Brochure (9th Ed.) — Power)·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (kW to MW)
BIPM Reference

Measurement Navigator78 Categories9 Scientific Domains

Browse All 78 Measurement Categories

A–Z Directory →Sitemap

Common ConvertersEveryday metric, imperial, and US customary converters for length, weight, volume, temperature, area, pressure, energy, speed, time, and data.