Convert Milliwatts to Megawatts
1 milliwatt (mW) equals 1 × 10⁻⁹ megawatts (MW).
1 mW = 1e-9 MW
Type in either box. Scientific notation works: 1.5e-3.
Converting a list? Use the bulk milliwatt to megawatt converter to paste a column from Excel.
How to Convert Milliwatt to Megawatt
- 1 mW = 1 × 10⁻⁹ MW
- 1 MW = 1000000000 mW
- Example: convert 15 mW to MW: 15 mW = 15 × 1 × 10⁻⁹ MW = 1.5 × 10⁻⁸ MW
Formula
MW = mW ÷ 1000000000
Derivation from SI units:
- 1 mW = 10⁻³ W
- 1 MW = 10⁶ W
- 1 mW = 0.001 W ÷ 1000000 W per MW = 1 × 10⁻⁹ MW
Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Milliwatt definition: milliwatt; Megawatt definition: megawatt.
Worked examples
- A reading of 10 mW converts to 1 × 10⁻⁸ MW.
10 mW × 1 × 10⁻⁹ = 1 × 10⁻⁸ MW - A value of 200 mW is 2 × 10⁻⁷ MW.
200 mW × 1 × 10⁻⁹ = 2 × 10⁻⁷ MW
Milliwatt to Megawatt conversion table
| Milliwatts (mW) | Megawatts (MW) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 mW | 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ MW |
| 1 mW | 1 × 10⁻⁹ MW |
| 5 mW | 5 × 10⁻⁹ MW |
| 10 mW | 1 × 10⁻⁸ MW |
| 50 mW | 5 × 10⁻⁸ MW |
| 100 mW | 1 × 10⁻⁷ MW |
| 200 mW | 2 × 10⁻⁷ MW |
| 500 mW | 5 × 10⁻⁷ MW |
| 1000 mW | 0.000001 MW |
Where it's used
Milliwatts are used for laser pointer and diode output, while megawatts appear in wind turbines (2–15 MW). Both measure power (energy per unit time), so the conversion is a fixed factor.
Milliwatt to other power units
| Conversion | 1 mW equals |
|---|---|
| milliwatt to watt | 0.001 W |
| milliwatt to kilowatt | 0.000001 kW |
| milliwatt to megawatt | 1 × 10⁻⁹ MW |
| milliwatt to horsepower | 0.00000134102209 hp |
| milliwatt to metric horsepower | 0.000001359621617 PS |
| milliwatt to BTU per hour | 0.003412141633 BTU/h |
| milliwatt to refrigeration ton | 2.843451361 × 10⁻⁷ TR |
| milliwatt to kilocalorie per hour | 0.0008598452279 kcal/h |
| milliwatt to foot-pound per second | 0.0007375621493 ft·lbf/s |
Frequently asked questions
How many megawatts are in 1 milliwatt?
1 mW = 1 × 10⁻⁹ MW.
How do I convert milliwatts to megawatts?
Multiply the value in mW by 1 × 10⁻⁹, or divide it by 1000000000. For example, 15 mW × 1 × 10⁻⁹ = 1.5 × 10⁻⁸ MW.
Is the mW to MW conversion exact?
Yes. Both units are defined exactly, and 1 mW is exactly 1 × 10⁻⁹ MW.
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 Milliwatts to Megawatts. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/power/milliwatts-to-megawatts/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Convert Milliwatts to Megawatts," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 17, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/power/milliwatts-to-megawatts/