Centiwatt is 0.01 watt units.
Centiwatts to Milliwatts Converter — cW to mW
Convert Centiwatt (cW) to Milliwatt (mW) using the exact conversion factor (1 centiwatt = 10 milliwatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Centiwatts to Milliwatts converter
Converter
Engineering Converter
Convert common stress, force, torque, power, and energy units used in engineering.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Milliwatt is 0.001 watt units.
Result = input x 0.01 / 0.001.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Centiwatts to Milliwatts
Centiwatt and Milliwatt both measure a quantity used in structural or mechanical engineering — commonly stress, pressure, force, torque, power, or energy — where converting between the unit conventions used in different regions, industries, or equipment specifications is a routine part of design work. Specifically: Centiwatt is 0.01 watt units, and milliwatt is 0.001 watt units.
Formula
milliwatts = centiwatts × 10
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 centiwatt equals 0.01 base units, and 1 milliwatt equals 0.001 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct centiwatt-to-milliwatt factor of 10.
Simple example
1 cW × 10 = 10 mW
1 centiwatt = 10 milliwatts.
Real-world example
100 cW × 10 = 1,000 mW
100 centiwatts = 1,000 milliwatts.
Conversion table
| Centiwatt (cW) | Milliwatt (mW) |
|---|---|
| 1 cW | 10 mW |
| 10 cW | 100 mW |
| 50 cW | 500 mW |
| 100 cW | 1,000 mW |
| 500 cW | 5,000 mW |
| 1,000 cW | 10,000 mW |
Reverse conversion: Milliwatt to Centiwatt
10 mW × 0.1 = 1 cW
10 milliwatts = 1 centiwatt.
centiwatts = milliwatts × 0.1
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Milliwatt to Centiwatt.
Understanding the Centiwatt (cW)
Centiwatt is 0.01 watt units.
Understanding the Milliwatt (mW)
Milliwatt is 0.001 watt units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many milliwatts are in 1 centiwatt?
1 centiwatt equals 10 milliwatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert centiwatt to milliwatt?
Multiply the centiwatt value by 10. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert milliwatt back to centiwatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 milliwatt equals 0.1 centiwatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a centiwatt?
Centiwatt (cW) is a unit of engineering.
What is a milliwatt?
Milliwatt (mW) is a unit of engineering.
Is the centiwatt to milliwatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both centiwatt and milliwatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 10 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Why do engineering unit conventions vary so much by region and industry?
Pressure, force, and stress can be expressed in metric (pascal, newton), US customary (psi, pound-force), or older and industry-specific units (atmosphere, torr, kip) depending on the country, industry, and even the equipment manufacturer, which is why engineers routinely need to convert between them when working across specs from different sources.