Rad is 0.01 gray.
Rads to Kilograys Converter — rad to kGy
Convert Rad (rad) to Kilogray (kGy) using the exact conversion factor (1 rad = 0.00001 kilogray). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, and common uses.
Rads to Kilograys converter
Converter
Radiation Converter
Convert radioactivity, absorbed dose, and equivalent dose units by compatible radiation family.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Kilogray is 1000 gray units.
Result = input x 0.01 / 1000.
Absorbed Dose units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Rads to Kilograys
Rad and Kilogray both belong to the radiation-measurement family, though radiation quantities fall into genuinely distinct categories: absorbed dose (gray, rad) measures energy deposited in matter, equivalent dose (sievert, rem) weights that for biological harm, and activity (becquerel, curie) measures how often a radioactive source decays — this page only converts between units of the same kind. Rad is most often used for us radiation therapy dose records (historically).
Formula
kilograys = rads × 0.00001
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 rad equals 0.01 base units, and 1 kilogray equals 1000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct rad-to-kilogray factor of 0.00001.
Simple example
1 rad × 0.00001 = 0.00001 kGy
1 rad = 0.00001 kilograys.
Real-world example
10 rad × 0.00001 = 0.0001 kGy
10 rads = 0.0001 kilograys.
Conversion table
| Rad (rad) | Kilogray (kGy) |
|---|---|
| 0.001 rad | 1e-8 kGy |
| 0.01 rad | 1e-7 kGy |
| 0.1 rad | 0.000001 kGy |
| 1 rad | 0.00001 kGy |
| 10 rad | 0.0001 kGy |
| 100 rad | 0.001 kGy |
Reverse conversion: Kilogray to Rad
0.00001 kGy × 100000 = 1 rad
0.00001 kilograys = 1 rad.
rads = kilograys × 100000
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Kilogray to Rad.
Understanding the Rad
Rad (rad) measures absorbed radiation dose. 'Radiation absorbed dose' — the US customary unit of absorbed radiation dose, fixed at exactly 0.01 gray. It is classified as a non-SI unit, still common in the US.
Where it's used: Still used in some US medical and historical contexts alongside the SI gray
Rad vs. gray. Both measure absorbed radiation dose; the gray is the modern SI unit while the rad is the older US customary unit, related by 1 gray = 100 rad exactly.
Uses of the Rad today
- US radiation therapy dose records (historically)
- US nuclear regulatory and medical physics contexts
Understanding the Kilogray (kGy)
Kilogray is 1000 gray units.
Rad — sources
- NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B — Lists the rad among non-SI units with an exact SI equivalence.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilograys are in 1 rad?
1 rad equals 0.00001 kilograys, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert rad to kilogray?
Multiply the rad value by 0.00001. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert kilogray back to rad?
Use the reverse factor: 1 kilogray equals 100,000 rads. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a rad?
Rad (rad) measures absorbed radiation dose. 'Radiation absorbed dose' — the US customary unit of absorbed radiation dose, fixed at exactly 0.01 gray. It is classified as a non-SI unit, still common in the US.
What is a kilogray?
Kilogray (kGy) is a unit of radiation.
Is the rad to kilogray conversion exact?
Yes. 'Radiation absorbed dose' — the US customary unit of absorbed radiation dose, fixed at exactly 0.01 gray. 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 rad vs. gray?
Both measure absorbed radiation dose; the gray is the modern SI unit while the rad is the older US customary unit, related by 1 gray = 100 rad exactly.
Where is the rad still used today?
Still used in some US medical and historical contexts alongside the SI gray