Gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units.
Gigawatts to Megawatts Converter — GW to MW
Convert Gigawatt (GW) to Megawatt (MW) using the exact conversion factor (1 gigawatt = 1,000 megawatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Gigawatts to Megawatts 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.
Megawatt is 1000000 watt units.
Result = input x 1e+9 / 1e+6.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Gigawatts to Megawatts
Gigawatt and Megawatt 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: Gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units, and megawatt is 1000000 watt units.
Formula
megawatts = gigawatts × 1000
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 gigawatt equals 1000000000 base units, and 1 megawatt equals 1000000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct gigawatt-to-megawatt factor of 1000.
Simple example
1 GW × 1000 = 1,000 MW
1 gigawatt = 1,000 megawatts.
Real-world example
100 GW × 1000 = 100,000 MW
100 gigawatts = 100,000 megawatts.
Conversion table
| Gigawatt (GW) | Megawatt (MW) |
|---|---|
| 1 GW | 1,000 MW |
| 10 GW | 10,000 MW |
| 50 GW | 50,000 MW |
| 100 GW | 100,000 MW |
| 500 GW | 500,000 MW |
| 1,000 GW | 1,000,000 MW |
Reverse conversion: Megawatt to Gigawatt
1 MW × 0.001 = 0.001 GW
1 megawatt = 0.001 gigawatts.
gigawatts = megawatts × 0.001
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Megawatt to Gigawatt.
Understanding the Gigawatt (GW)
Gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units.
Understanding the Megawatt (MW)
Megawatt is 1000000 watt units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many megawatts are in 1 gigawatt?
1 gigawatt equals 1,000 megawatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert gigawatt to megawatt?
Multiply the gigawatt value by 1000. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert megawatt back to gigawatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 megawatt equals 0.001 gigawatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a gigawatt?
Gigawatt (GW) is a unit of engineering.
What is a megawatt?
Megawatt (MW) is a unit of engineering.
Is the gigawatt to megawatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both gigawatt and megawatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1000 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.