How many watts are in a kilowatt?

There are exactly 1,000 watts in one kilowatt. The prefix "kilo" means 1,000, so 1 kW = 1,000 W.

How do I convert watts to kilowatts?

Divide the wattage by 1,000. For example, a 1,500 W space heater equals 1.5 kW.

How do I convert kilowatts to watts?

Multiply the kilowatt value by 1,000. For example, a 3.5 kW air conditioner equals 3,500 W.

Why do electricity bills use kilowatt-hours (kWh) instead of watts?

A kilowatt-hour is energy, not power. It represents 1 kW of power used for 1 hour. Utility meters measure kWh because energy consumption — not instantaneous power — determines your bill.

What is the difference between watts and kilowatts?

Both measure electrical power (the rate of energy use). Kilowatts are simply a larger unit — 1,000 times bigger — used to describe higher-power devices like HVAC systems, electric vehicles, and generators more conveniently.

Watts to Kilowatts Calculator

Convert watts to kilowatts or kilowatts to watts instantly, with a reference table of common appliance power ratings.

Power Converter

Watts (W)

Kilowatts (kW)

Common Appliance Reference

Typical rated power for household and commercial devices.

Appliance	Watts (W)	Kilowatts (kW)

* Values are typical estimates and vary by model and usage.

Summary

Convert watts to kilowatts or kilowatts to watts instantly, with a reference table of common appliance power ratings.

How it works

Enter a wattage in the Watts field — the Kilowatts field updates automatically.
Or enter a value in the Kilowatts field — the Watts field updates automatically.
The formula applied is kW = W / 1000 (or W = kW × 1000).
Click "Copy Result" to copy the converted value to your clipboard.
Browse the appliance reference table to compare common power ratings.

Use cases

Convert appliance wattage to kilowatts for electricity cost calculations.
Determine generator sizing by summing appliance loads in kW.
Understand solar panel output ratings listed in kW vs. individual panel watts.
Convert motor nameplate data between W and kW for engineering specs.
Calculate monthly electricity consumption: kW × hours = kWh.
Quickly check if a circuit breaker can handle a given wattage load.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-09-19 · Reviewed by Nham Vu