Convert Ergs to Kilojoules
1 erg equals 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ kilojoules (kJ).
1 erg = 1e-10 kJ
Type in either box. Scientific notation works: 1.5e-3.
Converting a list? Use the bulk erg to kilojoule converter to paste a column from Excel.
How to Convert Erg to Kilojoule
- 1 erg = 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ kJ
- 1 kJ = 10000000000 erg
- Example: convert 15 erg to kJ: 15 erg = 15 × 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ kJ = 1.5 × 10⁻⁹ kJ
Formula
kJ = erg ÷ 10000000000
Derivation from SI units:
- 1 erg = 1 dyn·cm = 10⁻⁷ J
- 1 kJ = 10³ J
- 1 erg = 1 × 10⁻⁷ J ÷ 1000 J per kJ = 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ kJ
Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Erg definition: erg; Kilojoule definition: kilojoule.
Worked examples
- A reading of 1000 erg converts to 1 × 10⁻⁷ kJ.
1000 erg × 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ = 1 × 10⁻⁷ kJ - A value of 1e6 erg is 0.0001 kJ.
1e6 erg × 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ = 0.0001 kJ
Erg to Kilojoule conversion table
| Ergs (erg) | Kilojoules (kJ) |
|---|---|
| 1 erg | 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ kJ |
| 10 erg | 1 × 10⁻⁹ kJ |
| 100 erg | 1 × 10⁻⁸ kJ |
| 1000 erg | 1 × 10⁻⁷ kJ |
| 10000 erg | 0.000001 kJ |
| 1e5 erg | 0.00001 kJ |
| 1e6 erg | 0.0001 kJ |
| 1e7 erg | 0.001 kJ |
| 1e10 erg | 1 kJ |
| 3.828e33 erg | 3.828 × 10²³ kJ |
Where it's used
Ergs are used for astrophysics (luminosities in erg/s), while kilojoules appear in nutrition labels (kJ per serving). Both measure energy, work and heat, so the conversion is a fixed factor.
Erg to other energy units
| Conversion | 1 erg equals |
|---|---|
| erg to joule | 1 × 10⁻⁷ J |
| erg to kilojoule | 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ kJ |
| erg to megajoule | 1 × 10⁻¹³ MJ |
| erg to calorie | 2.390057361 × 10⁻⁸ cal |
| erg to kilocalorie | 2.390057361 × 10⁻¹¹ kcal |
| erg to watt-hour | 2.777777778 × 10⁻¹¹ Wh |
| erg to kilowatt-hour | 2.777777778 × 10⁻¹⁴ kWh |
| erg to BTU | 9.478171203 × 10⁻¹¹ BTU |
| erg to therm | 9.48043428 × 10⁻¹⁶ thm |
| erg to electronvolt | 624150907400 eV |
| erg to foot-pound | 7.375621493 × 10⁻⁸ ft·lbf |
Frequently asked questions
How many kilojoules are in 1 erg?
1 erg = 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ kJ.
How do I convert ergs to kilojoules?
Multiply the value in erg by 1 × 10⁻¹⁰, or divide it by 10000000000. For example, 15 erg × 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ = 1.5 × 10⁻⁹ kJ.
Is the erg to kJ conversion exact?
Yes. Both units are defined exactly, and 1 erg is exactly 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ kJ.
Sources
- Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), NIST Special Publication 811, 2008 Edition, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Appendix B.8, "erg (erg)".
- The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures , Table 7, SI prefixes.
Last reviewed: . Factors are stored exactly and computed with 50-digit decimal arithmetic. See how we verify conversion factors.
Cite this page
APA
Scientific Converters. (2026, October 15). Convert Ergs to Kilojoules. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/energy/ergs-to-kilojoules/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Convert Ergs to Kilojoules," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 17, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/energy/ergs-to-kilojoules/