Calories to Kilocalories Converter
Quick answer: To convert calories to kilocalories, multiply by 0.001. For example, 10 cal is 0.01 kcal. One calorie equals 0.001 kcal.
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Use the Calories to Kilocalories Converter
Calories to Kilocalories formula and what each symbol means
kcal = cal × 0.001
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| cal | Calorie |
| kcal | Kilocalorie |
Calories to Kilocalories examples
1 cal
1 cal × 0.001 = 0.001 kcal.
10 cal
10 cal × 0.001 = 0.01 kcal.
100 cal
100 cal × 0.001 = 0.1 kcal.
Calories compared with Kilocalories
One kcal is 1,000 times as large as one cal, so your number gets smaller when you convert calories to kilocalories and bigger when you convert back. If the answer is not smaller than what you typed, you multiplied instead of dividing.
About calories and kilocalories
Calorie (cal): The thermochemical calorie, exactly 4.184 joules. Kilocalorie (kcal): The thermochemical kilocalorie, exactly 4,184 joules, used for food energy.
Where calories to kilocalories conversions are used
Engineering and physics calculations usually work in joules. Food labels show kilocalories or kilojoules, and electricity bills use kilowatt-hours.
How to calculate Calories to Kilocalories step by step
- Enter the value in cal (the starting unit).
- Multiply by 0.001, because 1 cal = 0.001 kcal.
- The product is the value in kcal. To go back, divide by 0.001 or multiply by 1,000.
Popular energy conversions
How to read your Calories to Kilocalories result
The joule is the SI unit of energy.
| CALORIES | KILOCALORIES |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.001 |
| 2 | 0.002 |
| 5 | 0.005 |
| 10 | 0.01 |
| 20 | 0.02 |
| 50 | 0.05 |
| 100 | 0.1 |
| 1,000 | 1 |
Kilocalories to Calories: quick table
| KILOCALORIES | CALORIES |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1,000 |
| 5 | 5,000 |
| 10 | 10,000 |
| 25 | 25,000 |
| 50 | 50,000 |
| 100 | 100,000 |
| 250 | 250,000 |
| 500 | 500,000 |
Common mistakes when calculating Calories to Kilocalories
- Using different Btu definitions: this tool uses the International Table Btu of 1,055.05585262 J.
- Dividing when you should multiply: from cal to kcal multiply by 0.001; from kcal to cal divide by 0.001.
Calories to Kilocalories FAQ
How many kcal are in 1 cal?
1 cal equals 0.001 kcal.
How many cal are in 1 kcal?
1 kcal equals 1,000 cal.
Is 1 cal = 0.001 kcal an exact conversion?
Yes. The calorie and the kilocalorie are both defined exactly in SI terms, so the ratio has no measurement uncertainty; 0.001 is just that ratio shown to 7 significant figures.
What is a kilocalorie (kcal)?
The thermochemical kilocalorie, exactly 4,184 joules, used for food energy.
How can I estimate calories to kilocalories in my head?
One kcal is 1,000 times as large as one cal, so your number gets smaller when you convert calories to kilocalories and bigger when you convert back. If the answer is not smaller than what you typed, you multiplied instead of dividing.
What is 3 cal in kilocalories?
3 cal = 0.003 kcal (since 3 × 0.001).
What is 30 cal in kilocalories?
30 cal = 0.03 kcal (since 30 × 0.001).
What is 150 cal in kilocalories?
150 cal = 0.15 kcal (since 150 × 0.001).
How many decimals should I keep when converting cal to kcal?
Match the precision of your original measurement. For example, 0.01 kcal rounds to 0.01 kcal at 3 significant figures; keep more digits only for engineering or scientific work.
More in Energy converters
- BTU to kWh Converter
- Joules to BTU Converter
- BTU to kJ Converter
- Joules to Calories Converter
- BTU to Kilocalories Converter
- Joules to Kilocalories Converter
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Method, review and disclaimer
Edited by: Hemant Kumar and Anjita Rai, founders of ToolsVault (SEO and content professional, not a licensed adviser). Method: this tool runs in your browser using the formula shown on this page; the numbers you enter are not sent to our servers. Sources: NIST SP 811, Appendix B.8: conversion factors