Convert Kilowatt to Watt

Please provide values below to convert kilowatt [kW] to watt [W], or vice versa.

From:		kilowatt
To:		watt

Kilowatt

Definition: A kilowatt (symbol: kw) is a unit of power in the International System of Units (SI). The base unit of the kilowatt is the watt, which was named after Scottish inventor James Watt. As is consistent with SI units, the prefix kilo- means that a kilowatt equals one thousand watts or one thousand joules per second.

History/origin: The base unit of the kilowatt is the watt, which was named after a Scottish inventor named James Watt. This was first proposed in 1882 by Sir Charles William Siemens, an engineer and entrepreneur, who suggested the use of Watt's name as a unit of power. He defined the unit within the system of units being used at the time, and his definition was adopted in 1908.

Current use: Kilowatts are used worldwide, typically to express the output power of engines and the power of electric motors, tools, machines, and heaters. Electricity used by a home is typically measured in kilowatt hours, or kWh, meaning 1000 watts being applied over a period of one hour. Megawatt or gigawatt hours may be used in larger buildings or for industrial applications.

Watt

Definition: A watt (Symbol: W) is the SI (International System of Units) derived unit of power. It is defined as 1 joule per second and is used to quantify the rate of energy transfer.

History/origin: The watt is named after James Watt, a Scottish inventor. It was first proposed in 1882 by William Siemens who defined it as "the power conveyed by a current of an Ampere through the difference of potential of a Volt." This was the definition used at the time within the existing system of units. In 1908, the "international" definitions were defined, with Siemens' definition being adopted as the international watt. These were used until 1948 when the General Conference on Weights and Measures re-defined the watt to absolute units, using only mass, time, and length. 1 absolute watt is equal to 1.00019 international watts. The absolute watt was adopted as the SI unit of power in 1960.

Current use: As the SI derived unit of power, the watt in all its multiples and submultiples is used in many applications worldwide from radio transmission to use in the electric power industry. The watt as a unit of power should not be confused with its energy counterpart, the watt-hour (and all its multiples/submultiples).

Kilowatt to Watt Conversion Table

How to Convert Kilowatt to Watt

1 kW = 1000 W
1 W = 0.001 kW

Example: convert 15 kW to W:
15 kW = 15 × 1000 W = 15000 W

Popular Power Unit Conversions

Convert Kilowatt to Other Power Units