Convert Kilowatts to Watts
Kilowatts to watts is the conversion you need when a rating is given in kilowatts but the device, circuit, or spec you're comparing against is measured in plain watts. One kilowatt is exactly 1000 watts, so the watt number is always a thousand times larger.
Kilowatts to Watts conversion table
| Kilowatts (kW) | Watts (W) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1,000 |
| 2 | 2,000 |
| 3 | 3,000 |
| 5 | 5,000 |
| 10 | 10,000 |
| 20 | 20,000 |
| 50 | 50,000 |
| 100 | 100,000 |
| 500 | 500,000 |
| 1,000 | 1,000,000 |
The formula
To convert kilowatts to watts, multiply the number of kilowatts by 1000:
watts = kilowatts × 1000
A worked example
Say you have a 5 kW appliance and want its rating in watts:
5 × 1000 = 5000 W
So 5 kilowatts is exactly 5000 watts.
Why the number is exact
The watt is the base unit of power, and the kilowatt is just a watt scaled up by the metric "kilo" prefix, which means exactly a thousand. So one kilowatt is exactly 1000 watts — an exact definition, not an approximation.
When you'll use it
Reading appliance and heater ratings, sizing circuits and breakers, and comparing a kilowatt figure against a spec that lists plain watts.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts are in a kilowatt?
Exactly 1000 watts. The 'kilo' prefix means a thousand, so a kilowatt is a thousand watts — a fixed, exact number, not a rounded one.
Is 1 kW the same as 1000 W?
Yes, exactly. A kilowatt is defined as 1000 watts, so a 2 kW heater draws 2000 W and a 0.5 kW motor draws 500 W.
Is the kilowatts to watts conversion exact?
Yes. One kilowatt is exactly 1000 watts because 'kilo' means a thousand — nothing is rounded away.