Watts to Kilowatts Converter
Enter the power in watts below to convert it to kilowatts.
Convert Watts to Kilowatts
Enter a value in watts (W) to convert to kilowatts (kW).
Watt to Kilowatt Conversion Table
Table showing various watt measurements converted to kilowatts. Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.
How to Convert Watts to Kilowatts
To convert watts to kilowatts, multiply the power by the following conversion ratio: 0.001 kilowatts/watt.
Since one watt is equal to 0.001 kilowatts, you can use this simple formula to convert:
The power in kilowatts is equal to the power in watts multiplied by 0.001.
For example, here's how to convert 1500 watts to kilowatts using the formula above.
How Many Kilowatts Are in a Watt?
There are 0.001 kilowatts in a watt, which is why we use this value in the formula above.
Our watt to kilowatt calculator automatically converts your power measurements with full decimal and scientific precision across US customary, imperial, and SI metric standards.
Watts and kilowatts are both units used to measure power. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.
What Is a Watt?
Coherent SI unit of power equal to 1 Joule per second (1 J/s). It serves as a primary reference unit for measuring power across scientific and practical applications. [1]
The watt is classified as an International System of Units (SI) unit of power. Watts can be abbreviated as W; for example, 1 watt can be written as 1 W.
As the primary coherent reference unit for power in this category, all other power units are mathematically anchored to the watt (W).
In practice, watts (W) are widely used across standard power applications within International System of Units (SI) workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
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). [2]
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.
When converting power between watts (W) and kilowatts (kW), keep full floating-point precision (1 W = 0.001 kW; 1 kW = 1,000 W) during intermediate calculations and round only the final kilowatt figure to match your instrument tolerance.
More Watt & Kilowatt Conversions
Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our kilowatts to watts converter (kW to W) to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting horsepower (hp) to kilowatts, converting megawatts to kilowatts, or converting watts to horsepower (hp).
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]NIST SP 811 StandardNIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Power & Radiant Flux))·Power Metrology Standard — Watts (W) to Kilowatts (kW)
- [2]NIST CUU SpecificationNIST CUU (Derived SI Unit: Watt (W))·Unit Specifications: Watt (W) & Kilowatt (kW)
- [3]BIPM ReferenceBIPM (SI Brochure (9th Ed.) — Power)·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (W to kW)