Energy converter

Frequently asked questions

What type of calorie does this converter use?

The converter uses thermochemical calories (1 cal = 4.184 J), which is the standard in chemistry and physics contexts. Nutritional "Calories" (kilocalories) are 1,000 times larger — use the kcal option if you are working with food energy values.

How does BTU relate to kilowatt-hours?

One BTU (international table) equals approximately 1,055 joules, while one kilowatt-hour equals 3,600,000 joules. That makes 1 kWh roughly equivalent to 3,412 BTU — a conversion commonly used when comparing heating system capacities or HVAC energy ratings.

Why are foot-pounds included alongside electrical and thermal units?

Foot-pound force is a mechanical energy unit used in engineering contexts, particularly in the United States for torque specifications and impact energy ratings. All units share the joule as a common base, so the converter handles the mechanical-to-electrical or mechanical-to-thermal path in one step.

Can I convert negative energy values?

No. The converter treats energy as a non-negative quantity and rejects negative inputs. Energy values in these units always represent a magnitude, so a negative entry would not have a meaningful physical interpretation in this context.