Convert Megawatts to Kilowatts
1 megawatt (MW) equals 1000 kilowatts (kW).
1 MW = 1000 kW
Type in either box. Scientific notation works: 1.5e-3.
Converting a list? Use the bulk megawatt to kilowatt converter to paste a column from Excel.
How to Convert Megawatt to Kilowatt
- 1 MW = 1000 kW
- 1 kW = 0.001 MW
- Example: convert 15 MW to kW: 15 MW = 15 × 1000 kW = 15000 kW
Formula
kW = MW × 1000
Derivation from SI units:
- 1 MW = 10⁶ W
- 1 kW = 10³ W
- 1 MW = 1000000 W ÷ 1000 W per kW = 1000 kW
Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Megawatt definition: megawatt; Kilowatt definition: kilowatt.
Worked examples
- A reading of 3 MW converts to 3000 kW.
3 MW × 1000 = 3000 kW - A value of 50 MW is 50000 kW.
50 MW × 1000 = 50000 kW
Megawatt to Kilowatt conversion table
| Megawatts (MW) | Kilowatts (kW) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 MW | 500 kW |
| 1 MW | 1000 kW |
| 2 MW | 2000 kW |
| 3 MW | 3000 kW |
| 5 MW | 5000 kW |
| 10 MW | 10000 kW |
| 50 MW | 50000 kW |
| 100 MW | 100000 kW |
| 500 MW | 500000 kW |
| 1000 MW | 1000000 kW |
Where it's used
Megawatts are used for wind turbines (2–15 MW), while kilowatts appear in engine and motor power (1 kW ≈ 1.34 hp). Both measure power (energy per unit time), so the conversion is a fixed factor.
Megawatt to other power units
| Conversion | 1 MW equals |
|---|---|
| megawatt to watt | 1000000 W |
| megawatt to milliwatt | 1000000000 mW |
| megawatt to kilowatt | 1000 kW |
| megawatt to horsepower | 1341.02209 hp |
| megawatt to metric horsepower | 1359.621617 PS |
| megawatt to BTU per hour | 3412141.633 BTU/h |
| megawatt to refrigeration ton | 284.3451361 TR |
| megawatt to kilocalorie per hour | 859845.2279 kcal/h |
| megawatt to foot-pound per second | 737562.1493 ft·lbf/s |
Frequently asked questions
How many kilowatts are in 1 megawatt?
1 MW = 1000 kW.
How do I convert megawatts to kilowatts?
Multiply the value in MW by 1000. For example, 15 MW × 1000 = 15000 kW.
Is the MW to kW conversion exact?
Yes. Both units are defined exactly, and 1 MW is exactly 1000 kW.
Sources
- 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 Megawatts to Kilowatts. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/power/megawatts-to-kilowatts/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Convert Megawatts to Kilowatts," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 17, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/power/megawatts-to-kilowatts/