In 1 kilowatts there are 1,000 watts. Meanwhile in 1 watts there are 0.001 kilowatts. Keep reading to learn more about each unit of measure and how they are calculated. Or just use the Watts to Kilowatts calculator above to convert any number.
* Values rounded to 6 decimal places for readability
To convert kilowatts (kW) to watts (W), multiply by 1,000. This works because 1 kilowatt = 1,000 watts.
Formula:
Example:
Tip: Moving from kW to W shifts the decimal three places to the right.
Multiply kilowatts (kW) by 1,000 to get watts (W).
Formula: W = kW × 1,000
Example: 2.5 kW = 2.5 × 1,000 = 2,500 W
There are 1,000 watts in 1 kilowatt.
This is a fixed unit conversion.
Watts and kilowatts both measure power, or how fast energy is used.
A watt (W) is a smaller unit. A kilowatt (kW) equals 1,000 watts, so it’s used for larger power values like appliances, motors, and electric heaters.
Small devices often use watts because the numbers stay simple (like 60 W).
Larger loads use kilowatts because the watt value would be large (like 1,500 W, which is 1.5 kW). Both mean the same power level, just shown in different units.
Divide watts by 1,000 to get kilowatts.
Formula: kW = W ÷ 1,000
Example: 3,200 W = 3,200 ÷ 1,000 = 3.2 kW
No. Kilowatts to watts is always a unit conversion, so it stays the same.
What changes with single-phase or three-phase is how you calculate kW from volts and amps, not how you convert kW into W.
Kilowatts and watts measure power, not energy.
Energy use is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Power tells you the rate, and time turns it into energy.
Example: A 2 kW heater running for 3 hours uses 6 kWh.
Use the same rule: multiply by 1,000.
Example: A 0.4 kW panel is 0.4 × 1,000 = 400 W.
Solar panels often use watts (W) for a single panel and kilowatts (kW) for a full system.
Multiply the motor rating in kW by 1,000 to get watts.
Example: A 7.5 kW motor is 7,500 W.
Motor labels may show kW output, while electrical input can be higher due to losses.
No. The power stays the same.
You’re only changing the unit and the number shown. 1.2 kW and 1,200 W describe the same power level.
The “k” stands for kilo, which means 1,000.
So kW means 1,000 watts.
Keep these checks in mind:
The Calculate Box tool to convert kilowatts to watts uses the open source script Convert.js to convert units of measurement. To use this tool, simply type a kilowatts value in the box and have it instantly converted to watts.