Joule per Kilogram Kelvin (J/(kg·K))
The joule per kilogram kelvin is the SI unit of specific heat capacity: the heat needed to warm one kilogram by one kelvin. Water is 4186 J/(kg·K), air 1005, aluminium 900 and steel about 490.
Symbol: J/(kg·K) (ASCII: J/(kg K))
Quantity: specific heat capacity
SI relation: J/(kg·K) is the coherent SI unit of specific heat capacity.
Derivation: Heat per unit mass per kelvin: J/(kg·K) (a kelvin step equals a degree Celsius step).
Exact: yes, by definition
Typical uses
- Sensible heat Q = m c ΔT
- Heat-exchanger and process energy balances
- Material data sheets
Convert joules per kilogram kelvin to other units
| Conversion | 1 J/(kg·K) equals | Reverse |
|---|---|---|
| joule per kilogram kelvin to kilojoule per kilogram kelvin | 0.001 kJ/(kg·K) | kilojoule per kilogram kelvin to joule per kilogram kelvin |
| joule per kilogram kelvin to calorie per gram degree Celsius | 0.0002388458966 cal/(g·°C) | calorie per gram degree Celsius to joule per kilogram kelvin |
| joule per kilogram kelvin to BTU per pound degree Fahrenheit | 0.0002388458966 BTU/(lb·°F) | BTU per pound degree Fahrenheit to joule per kilogram kelvin |
| joule per kilogram kelvin to joule per gram kelvin | 0.001 J/(g·K) | joule per gram kelvin to joule per kilogram kelvin |
| joule per kilogram kelvin to kilocalorie per kilogram degree Celsius | 0.0002388458966 kcal/(kg·°C) | kilocalorie per kilogram degree Celsius to joule per kilogram kelvin |
Open the Specific Heat Converter (kJ/kg·K, BTU/lb·°F) to convert any value between all units.
Sources
- The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures , Table 4 (derived units with special names).
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). Joule per Kilogram Kelvin (J/(kg·K)). Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/units/joule-per-kilogram-kelvin/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Joule per Kilogram Kelvin (J/(kg·K))," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 29, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/units/joule-per-kilogram-kelvin/