Milliwatts to Volt-Amperes Converter
Enter the power in milliwatts below to convert it to volt-amperes.
Convert Milliwatts to Volt-Amperes
Enter a value in milliwatts (mW) to convert to volt-amperes (VA).
Milliwatt to Volt-Ampere Conversion Table
Table showing various milliwatt measurements converted to volt-amperes. Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.
How to Convert Milliwatts to Volt-Amperes
To convert milliwatts to volt-amperes, multiply the power by the following conversion ratio: 0.001 volt-amperes/milliwatt.
Since one milliwatt is equal to 0.001 volt-amperes, you can use this simple formula to convert:
The power in volt-amperes is equal to the power in milliwatts multiplied by 0.001.
For example, here's how to convert 5 milliwatts to volt-amperes using the formula above.
How Many Volt-Amperes Are in a Milliwatt?
There are 0.001 volt-amperes in a milliwatt, which is why we use this value in the formula above.
Our milliwatt to volt-ampere calculator automatically converts your power measurements with full decimal and scientific precision across US customary, imperial, and SI metric standards.
Milliwatts and volt-amperes are both units used to measure power. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.
What Is a Milliwatt?
A milliwatt is a unit of power equal to 1/1,000 of a watt (0.001 W). One-thousandth of a Watt. [1]
The milliwatt is classified as a metric and SI-compatible unit of power. Milliwatts can be abbreviated as mW; for example, 1 milliwatt can be written as 1 mW.
In the metric system, "milli" is the standard SI prefix for thousandths, or 10⁻³. This makes the milliwatt (mW) a convenient decimal multiple of the watt (W).
In practice, milliwatts (mW) are widely used across fine-tolerance laboratory, analytical, and micro-scale power measurements within SI metric workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
What Is a Volt-Ampere?
A volt-ampere is a unit of power equal to 1 watts (W), the base unit for power. Apparent electrical power unit (equivalent to 1 W at unity power factor). [2]
The volt-ampere is classified as an International System of Units (SI) unit of power. Volt-Amperes can be abbreviated as VA; for example, 1 volt-ampere can be written as 1 VA.
When working with volt-amperes (VA) in formulas or technical specifications, always verify whether your target system uses SI metric, US customary, or British imperial standards.
In practice, volt-amperes (VA) are widely used across standard power applications within International System of Units (SI) workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
When converting power between milliwatts (mW) and volt-amperes (VA), keep full floating-point precision (1 mW = 0.001 VA; 1 VA = 1,000 mW) during intermediate calculations and round only the final volt-ampere figure to match your instrument tolerance.
More Milliwatt & Volt-Ampere Conversions
Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our volt-amperes to milliwatts calculator to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting volt-amperes to milliwatts, converting watts to horsepower (hp), or converting horsepower (hp) to watts.
Convert from Milliwatts
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]NIST SP 811 StandardNIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Power & Radiant Flux))·Power Metrology Standard — Milliwatts (mW) to Volt-Amperes (VA)
- [2]NIST CUU SpecificationNIST CUU (Derived SI Unit: Watt (W))·Unit Specifications: Milliwatt (mW) & Volt-Ampere (VA) (VA)
- [3]BIPM ReferenceBIPM (SI Brochure (9th Ed.) — Power)·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (mW to VA)