Kilojoule is 1000 joule units.
Kilojoules to Calories Converter — kJ to cal
Convert Kilojoule (kJ) to Calorie (cal) using the exact conversion factor (1 kilojoule = 239.0057361 calorie). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Kilojoules to Calories 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.
A thermochemical calorie is 4.184 joules.
Result = input x 1000 / 4.184.
Energy units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Kilojoules to Calories
Kilojoule and Calorie 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: Kilojoule is 1000 joule units, and a thermochemical calorie is 4.184 joules.
Formula
calories = kilojoules × 239.005736138
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 kilojoule equals 1000 base units, and 1 calorie equals 4.184 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct kilojoule-to-calorie factor of 239.005736138.
Simple example
1 kJ × 239.0057361 = 239.0057361 cal
1 kilojoule = 239.0057361 calories.
Real-world example
100 kJ × 239.0057361 = 23,900.57361 cal
100 kilojoules = 23,900.57361 calories.
Conversion table
| Kilojoule (kJ) | Calorie (cal) |
|---|---|
| 1 kJ | 239.0057361 cal |
| 10 kJ | 2,390.057361 cal |
| 50 kJ | 11,950.28681 cal |
| 100 kJ | 23,900.57361 cal |
| 500 kJ | 119,502.8681 cal |
| 1,000 kJ | 239,005.7361 cal |
Reverse conversion: Calorie to Kilojoule
239.0057361 cal × 0.004184 = 0.9999999998 kJ
239.0057361 calories = 0.9999999998 kilojoules.
kilojoules = calories × 0.004184
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Calorie to Kilojoule.
Understanding the Kilojoule (kJ)
Kilojoule is 1000 joule units.
Understanding the Calorie
Calorie (cal) measures energy. The thermochemical calorie used in this converter is defined as exactly 4.184 joules. It is classified as a Non-SI unit (limited use with SI).
Where it's used: Nutrition labeling in the US and several other countries still commonly uses the kilocalorie (as 'Calorie')
Calorie vs. Calorie (kilocalorie). Food labels' capitalized 'Calorie' is actually one kilocalorie (1,000 small calories) — a long-standing labeling convention that causes frequent confusion.
Uses of the Calorie today
- Food energy labeling (as kilocalories, often written 'Calories')
- Historical chemistry and thermodynamics contexts
History of the Calorie
The calorie was originally defined in the early 19th century as the heat needed to raise one gram of water by one degree Celsius, but different scientific traditions defined it at slightly different reference temperatures, producing several close but non-identical 'calorie' values historically (15 °C calorie, mean calorie, thermochemical calorie).
To resolve this ambiguity, the thermochemical calorie was fixed by convention at exactly 4.184 joules; the very similar International Table calorie is fixed at exactly 4.1868 joules. The nutritional 'Calorie' seen on food labels is actually a kilocalorie (1,000 calories).
Historical origin. Calorie was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Calorie — sources
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Documents the thermochemical calorie's exact joule equivalence.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in 1 kilojoule?
1 kilojoule equals 239.0057361 calories, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert kilojoule to calorie?
Multiply the kilojoule value by 239.0057361. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert calorie back to kilojoule?
Use the reverse factor: 1 calorie equals 0.004184 kilojoules. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a kilojoule?
Kilojoule (kJ) is a unit of engineering.
What is a calorie?
Calorie (cal) measures energy. The thermochemical calorie used in this converter is defined as exactly 4.184 joules. It is classified as a Non-SI unit (limited use with SI).
Is the kilojoule to calorie conversion exact?
Yes. The thermochemical calorie used in this converter is defined as exactly 4.184 joules. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
What is the difference between calorie vs. calorie (kilocalorie)?
Food labels' capitalized 'Calorie' is actually one kilocalorie (1,000 small calories) — a long-standing labeling convention that causes frequent confusion.