Milliwatt is 0.001 watt units.
Milliwatts to Centiwatts Converter — mW to cW
Convert Milliwatt (mW) to Centiwatt (cW) using the exact conversion factor (1 milliwatt = 0.1 centiwatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Milliwatts to Centiwatts converter
Converter
Electricity Converter
Convert electrical units by family and calculate voltage, current, resistance, power, and energy with context values.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Centiwatt is 0.01 watt units.
Result = input x 0.001 / 0.01.
Electrical units in the same family convert directly.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Milliwatts to Centiwatts
Milliwatt and Centiwatt both belong to the electricity family — voltage, current, resistance, power, or energy — units that show up constantly when working across the different standards used by household wiring (120V/240V depending on region), automotive electrical systems (12V/24V), and electronics design. Specifically: Milliwatt is 0.001 watt units, and centiwatt is 0.01 watt units.
Formula
centiwatts = milliwatts × 0.1
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 milliwatt equals 0.001 base units, and 1 centiwatt equals 0.01 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct milliwatt-to-centiwatt factor of 0.1.
Simple example
1 mW × 0.1 = 0.1 cW
1 milliwatt = 0.1 centiwatts.
Real-world example
120 mW × 0.1 = 12 cW
120 milliwatts = 12 centiwatts.
Conversion table
| Milliwatt (mW) | Centiwatt (cW) |
|---|---|
| 1 mW | 0.1 cW |
| 5 mW | 0.5 cW |
| 12 mW | 1.2 cW |
| 24 mW | 2.4 cW |
| 120 mW | 12 cW |
| 240 mW | 24 cW |
Reverse conversion: Centiwatt to Milliwatt
0.1 cW × 10 = 1 mW
0.1 centiwatts = 1 milliwatt.
milliwatts = centiwatts × 10
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Centiwatt to Milliwatt.
Understanding the Milliwatt (mW)
Milliwatt is 0.001 watt units.
Understanding the Centiwatt (cW)
Centiwatt is 0.01 watt units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many centiwatts are in 1 milliwatt?
1 milliwatt equals 0.1 centiwatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert milliwatt to centiwatt?
Multiply the milliwatt value by 0.1. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert centiwatt back to milliwatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 centiwatt equals 10 milliwatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a milliwatt?
Milliwatt (mW) is a unit of electricity.
What is a centiwatt?
Centiwatt (cW) is a unit of electricity.
Is the milliwatt to centiwatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both milliwatt and centiwatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 0.1 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
What's the difference between voltage, current, and resistance?
Voltage (volts) is the electrical potential difference driving current through a circuit. Current (amperes) is the rate of flow of electric charge. Resistance (ohms) is how much a component opposes that flow. They're related by Ohm's law (V = I × R), but they are distinct physical quantities, and this page converts between units of just one of them.