Convert Kilocalories to Calories
1 kilocalorie (kcal) equals 1000 calories (cal).
1 kcal = 1000 cal
Type in either box. Scientific notation works: 1.5e-3.
Converting a list? Use the bulk kilocalorie to calorie converter to paste a column from Excel.
How to Convert Kilocalorie to Calorie
- 1 kcal = 1000 cal
- 1 cal = 0.001 kcal
- Example: convert 15 kcal to cal: 15 kcal = 15 × 1000 cal = 15000 cal
Reference conditions. kcal: Thermochemical kilocalorie (food Calorie), 4184 J exactly. cal: Thermochemical calorie, 4.184 J exactly. The International Table calorie is 4.1868 J.
Formula
cal = kcal × 1000
Derivation from SI units:
- 1 kcal = 1000 cal = 4184 J (exact)
- 1 cal (thermochemical) = 4.184 J (exact)
- 1 kcal = 4184 J ÷ 4.184 J per cal = 1000 cal
Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Kilocalorie definition: kilocalorie; Calorie definition: calorie.
Worked examples
- A reading of 200 kcal converts to 200000 cal.
200 kcal × 1000 = 200000 cal - A value of 1500 kcal is 1500000 cal.
1500 kcal × 1000 = 1500000 cal
Kilocalorie to Calorie conversion table
| Kilocalories (kcal) | Calories (cal) |
|---|---|
| 1 kcal | 1000 cal |
| 50 kcal | 50000 cal |
| 100 kcal | 100000 cal |
| 150 kcal | 150000 cal |
| 200 kcal | 200000 cal |
| 250 kcal | 250000 cal |
| 300 kcal | 300000 cal |
| 500 kcal | 500000 cal |
| 1000 kcal | 1000000 cal |
| 1500 kcal | 1500000 cal |
| 2000 kcal | 2000000 cal |
| 2500 kcal | 2500000 cal |
| 3000 kcal | 3000000 cal |
| 3500 kcal | 3500000 cal |
Where it's used
Kilocalories are used for food and diet energy (2000 kcal reference intake), while calories appear in chemistry and calorimetry. Both measure energy, work and heat, so the conversion is a fixed factor.
Kilocalorie to other energy units
| Conversion | 1 kcal equals |
|---|---|
| kilocalorie to joule | 4184 J |
| kilocalorie to kilojoule | 4.184 kJ |
| kilocalorie to megajoule | 0.004184 MJ |
| kilocalorie to calorie | 1000 cal |
| kilocalorie to watt-hour | 1.162222222 Wh |
| kilocalorie to kilowatt-hour | 0.001162222222 kWh |
| kilocalorie to BTU | 3.965666831 BTU |
| kilocalorie to therm | 0.00003966613703 thm |
| kilocalorie to electronvolt | 2.611447397 × 10²² eV |
| kilocalorie to foot-pound | 3085.960033 ft·lbf |
| kilocalorie to erg | 41840000000 erg |
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in 1 kilocalorie?
1 kcal = 1000 cal.
How do I convert kilocalories to calories?
Multiply the value in kcal by 1000. For example, 15 kcal × 1000 = 15000 cal.
Is the kcal to cal conversion exact?
Yes. Both units are defined exactly, and 1 kcal is exactly 1000 cal.
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, "kilocalorie (thermochemical)".
- 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, "calorie (thermochemical) (cal_th)".
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 Kilocalories to Calories. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/energy/kilocalories-to-calories/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Convert Kilocalories to Calories," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 17, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/energy/kilocalories-to-calories/