A (small) calorie is a thermochemical unit of heat energy equal to 4.184 joules, historically the energy needed to raise 1 gram of water by 1°C.
Calories to Kilocalories
Convert Calorie (cal) to Kilocalorie (kcal) instantly with an exact formula, conversion table, and FAQ.
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Convert calories (cal) to kilocalories (kcal) instantly with formula, conversion table, and FAQ.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
A kilocalorie (kcal) equals 1,000 small calories and is the unit behind the food "Calorie" shown on nutrition labels.
kcal = cal × 0.001
Results update instantly for Calories to Kilocalories conversions.
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Formula
kcal = cal × 0.001
cal = kcal × 1000
Conversion table
| 1 cal | 0.001 kcal |
| 5 cal | 0.005 kcal |
| 10 cal | 0.01 kcal |
| 20 cal | 0.02 kcal |
| 50 cal | 0.05 kcal |
| 100 cal | 0.1 kcal |
| 500 cal | 0.5 kcal |
| 1000 cal | 1 kcal |
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How the formula works
Both calorie and kilocalorie measure the same physical quantity, so converting between them is a single multiplication. Multiply a value in calories by 0.001 to get kilocalories. To reverse the conversion, multiply a kilocalorie value by 1000 to get back to calories.
Frequently asked questions
What is Calorie (cal)?
A (small) calorie is a thermochemical unit of heat energy equal to 4.184 joules, historically the energy needed to raise 1 gram of water by 1°C.
What is Kilocalorie (kcal)?
A kilocalorie (kcal) equals 1,000 small calories and is the unit behind the food "Calorie" shown on nutrition labels.
How do I convert calories to kilocalories?
Multiply the calorie value by 0.001 to get the equivalent in kilocalories. For example, 5 cal × 0.001 = 0.005 kcal.
Is this conversion exact?
Yes. Both units are defined against the SI base unit for this dimension, so the factor 0.001 is an exact, non-rounded value.
Can I convert kilocalories back to calories?
Yes. Divide the kilocalorie value by 0.001, or multiply it by 1000, to get calories.
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About converting calories to kilocalories
A (small) calorie is a thermochemical unit of heat energy equal to 4.184 joules, historically the energy needed to raise 1 gram of water by 1°C. A kilocalorie (kcal) equals 1,000 small calories and is the unit behind the food "Calorie" shown on nutrition labels.
Use this calculator to move between calories and kilocalories accurately for homework, engineering, billing, or everyday energy calculations. The Universal Converter uses exact unit factors, so results stay consistent across the site.