Convert Petawatts to Terawatts

To convert petawatts (PW) to terawatts (TW), use the SI prefixes: peta = 10^15 and tera = 10^12. That means 1 PW = 10^15 W and 1 TW = 10^12 W.

Conversion rule:

• TW = PW × 1,000
  Because 10^15 ÷ 10^12 = 10^3 = 1,000.

Quick examples (petawatt to terawatt):

• 0.5 PW = 0.5 × 1,000 = 500 TW
• 2 PW = 2 × 1,000 = 2,000 TW
• 0.012 PW = 0.012 × 1,000 = 12 TW

Tip: When converting PW to TW, just move the decimal 3 places to the right (multiply by 1,000).

What is the difference between petawatts and terawatts?

A petawatt (PW) and a terawatt (TW) are both units of power. Power measures how fast energy is used or produced. A petawatt is larger than a terawatt by a factor of 1,000.

How many terawatts are in 1 petawatt?

1 petawatt equals 1,000 terawatts.
1 PW = 1,000 TW

How do you convert petawatts to terawatts?

Multiply the number of petawatts by 1,000. This works because the prefix peta- means (10^{15}) and tera- means (10^{12}), so the ratio is (10^{15} / 10^{12} = 10^3).

What is the formula for PW to TW conversion?

Use this simple formula:
TW = PW × 1,000

How do you convert terawatts to petawatts?

Divide the number of terawatts by 1,000.
PW = TW ÷ 1,000

What is the formula for TW to PW conversion?

Use this formula:
PW = TW ÷ 1,000

Are petawatts and terawatts SI units?

Yes. Both are SI units based on the watt (W), the SI unit of power. The prefixes peta- and tera- are standard SI prefixes.

What does a watt measure in simple terms?

A watt measures power, or the rate of energy use.
1 watt = 1 joule per second
Bigger units like terawatts and petawatts describe very large power levels.

When would power be measured in terawatts (TW)?

Terawatts are used for very large systems, such as national or global power use, large power grids, and some major natural events. It’s a practical unit when gigawatts are too small to describe the total.

When would power be measured in petawatts (PW)?

Petawatts are used for extreme power levels, often in short bursts. High-power lasers and some large astrophysical events can reach petawatt-scale power. In everyday life, petawatts are rarely used.

Is a petawatt always 1,000 times a terawatt?

Yes, always. The conversion is fixed because it comes from the SI prefix scale. No matter the context, 1 PW equals 1,000 TW.

Can I convert PW to TW by moving the decimal?

Yes. Since you multiply by 1,000, move the decimal three places to the right.
Example: 2.5 PW = 2,500 TW

What are some quick PW to TW conversion examples?

• 0.1 PW = 100 TW
• 1 PW = 1,000 TW
• 3 PW = 3,000 TW
• 12.4 PW = 12,400 TW

What are the metric prefixes for tera and peta?

• tera (T) = (10^{12})
• peta (P) = (10^{15})
  That’s why the gap between them is 1,000.

Do terawatts and petawatts measure energy?

No. Terawatts and petawatts measure power, not energy. Energy is measured in units like joules (J) or kilowatt-hours (kWh). Power tells you the rate, energy tells you the total over time.

How do I relate terawatts or petawatts to energy over time?

Energy equals power times time.
For example, 1 TW for 1 hour equals 1 terawatt-hour (TWh).
In joules, 1 TW for 1 second equals (10^{12}) joules.