Megawatt is 1000000 watt units.
Megawatts to Gigawatts Converter — MW to GW
Convert Megawatt (MW) to Gigawatt (GW) using the exact conversion factor (1 megawatt = 0.001 gigawatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Megawatts to Gigawatts 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.
Gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units.
Result = input x 1e+6 / 1e+9.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Megawatts to Gigawatts
Megawatt and Gigawatt 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: Megawatt is 1000000 watt units, and gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units.
Formula
gigawatts = megawatts × 0.001
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 megawatt equals 1000000 base units, and 1 gigawatt equals 1000000000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct megawatt-to-gigawatt factor of 0.001.
Simple example
1 MW × 0.001 = 0.001 GW
1 megawatt = 0.001 gigawatts.
Real-world example
100 MW × 0.001 = 0.1 GW
100 megawatts = 0.1 gigawatts.
Conversion table
| Megawatt (MW) | Gigawatt (GW) |
|---|---|
| 1 MW | 0.001 GW |
| 10 MW | 0.01 GW |
| 50 MW | 0.05 GW |
| 100 MW | 0.1 GW |
| 500 MW | 0.5 GW |
| 1,000 MW | 1 GW |
Reverse conversion: Gigawatt to Megawatt
0.001 GW × 1000 = 1 MW
0.001 gigawatts = 1 megawatt.
megawatts = gigawatts × 1000
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Gigawatt to Megawatt.
Understanding the Megawatt (MW)
Megawatt is 1000000 watt units.
Understanding the Gigawatt (GW)
Gigawatt is 1000000000 watt units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many gigawatts are in 1 megawatt?
1 megawatt equals 0.001 gigawatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert megawatt to gigawatt?
Multiply the megawatt value by 0.001. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert gigawatt back to megawatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 gigawatt equals 1,000 megawatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a megawatt?
Megawatt (MW) is a unit of engineering.
What is a gigawatt?
Gigawatt (GW) is a unit of engineering.
Is the megawatt to gigawatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both megawatt and gigawatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 0.001 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.