Petawatt is 1000000000000000 watt units.
Petawatts to Centiwatts Converter — PW to cW
Convert Petawatt (PW) to Centiwatt (cW) using the exact conversion factor (1 petawatt = 1e+17 centiwatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Petawatts to Centiwatts 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.
Centiwatt is 0.01 watt units.
Result = input x 1e+15 / 0.01.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Petawatts to Centiwatts
Petawatt and Centiwatt 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: Petawatt is 1000000000000000 watt units, and centiwatt is 0.01 watt units.
Formula
centiwatts = petawatts × 1e+17
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 petawatt equals 1e+15 base units, and 1 centiwatt equals 0.01 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct petawatt-to-centiwatt factor of 1e+17.
Simple example
1 PW × 1e+17 = 1e+17 cW
1 petawatt = 1e+17 centiwatts.
Real-world example
100 PW × 1e+17 = 1e+19 cW
100 petawatts = 1e+19 centiwatts.
Conversion table
| Petawatt (PW) | Centiwatt (cW) |
|---|---|
| 1 PW | 1e+17 cW |
| 10 PW | 1e+18 cW |
| 50 PW | 5e+18 cW |
| 100 PW | 1e+19 cW |
| 500 PW | 5e+19 cW |
| 1,000 PW | 1e+20 cW |
Reverse conversion: Centiwatt to Petawatt
1e+17 cW × 1e-17 = 1 PW
1e+17 centiwatts = 1 petawatt.
petawatts = centiwatts × 1e-17
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Centiwatt to Petawatt.
Understanding the Petawatt (PW)
Petawatt is 1000000000000000 watt units.
Understanding the Centiwatt (cW)
Centiwatt is 0.01 watt units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many centiwatts are in 1 petawatt?
1 petawatt equals 1e+17 centiwatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert petawatt to centiwatt?
Multiply the petawatt value by 1e+17. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert centiwatt back to petawatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 centiwatt equals 1e-17 petawatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a petawatt?
Petawatt (PW) is a unit of engineering.
What is a centiwatt?
Centiwatt (cW) is a unit of engineering.
Is the petawatt to centiwatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both petawatt and centiwatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1e+17 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.