Kilojoules to Calories conversion

Kilojoules (kJ) to calories (cal), energy conversion calculator and how to convert.

Kilojoules to calories conversion calculator

Enter the energy in kilojoules, select calorie unit type and press the Convert button:

Enter energy in kilojoules:		kJ
Select calorie unit type:	Small thermochemical calories Small 15°C calories Large/food calories
Energy result in calories:

Calories to kJ conversion ►

Kilojoules to Calories

One kilojoule is equal to 1,000 joules, which are the energy equal to the force on an object of one newton at a distance of one meter.

The kilojoule is a multiple of the joule, which is the SI derived unit for energy. In the metric system, "kilo" is the prefix for 10³. Kilojoules can be abbreviated as kJ; for example, 1 kilojoule can be written as 1 kJ.

One calorie is equal to the heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water from 14.5 to 15.5 degrees Celsius.

When measuring the energy content in foods, the large calorie, or kilocalorie is used, but it's often still just called a "calorie." When both the calorie and large calorie are used in the same context it is common to refer to the calorie as a "small calorie."

Calories can be abbreviated as cal; for example, 1 calorie can be written as 1 cal.

Small & large calories

Small calorie (cal) is the energy needed to increase 1 gram of water by 1°C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere.

Large calorie (Cal) is the energy needed to increase 1 kg of water by 1°C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere.

Large calorie is also called food calorie and is used as a unit of food energy.

How to convert from kilojoules to calories

Kilojoules to thermochemical calories

1 cal_th = 0.004184 kJ

1 kJ = 239.0057 cal_th

The energy in thermochemical calories E_(calth) is equal to the energy in kilojoules E_(kJ) times 239.0057:

E_(cal) = E_(kJ) × 239.0057

Example

Convert 0.6 kilojoules to thermochemical calories.

E_(cal) = 0.6kJ × 239.0057 = 143.4 cal_th

Kilojoules to 15°C calories

1 cal₁₅ = 0.0041855 kJ

1 kJ = 238.9201 cal₁₅

The energy in 15°C calories E_(cal15) is equal to the energy in kilojoules E_(kJ) times 238.9201:

E_(cal15) = E_(kJ) × 238.9201

Example

Convert 0.6 kilojoules to 15°C calories.

E_(cal15) = 0.6kJ × 238.9201 = 143.352 cal₁₅

Kilojoules to large/food calories

1 Cal = 4.184 kJ

1 kJ = 0.239 Cal

The energy in large/food calories E_(Cal) is equal to the energy in kilojoules E_(kJ) times 0.239:

E_(Cal) = E_(kJ) × 0.239

Example

Convert 0.6 kilojoules to food calories.

E_(Cal) = 0.6kJ × 0.239 = 0.1434 Cal

 

Calories to kJ conversion ►