Calorie (thermochemical) (cal)
Thermochemical calorie: exactly 4.184 joules.
What is a calorie?
- Symbol
- cal
- Quantity
- Energy
- Unit system
- metric
- Definition
- Thermochemical calorie: exactly 4.184 joules.
- Exact
- Yes, the value is exact by definition
- Source
- NIST Special Publication 811 (2008), Appendix B.8
Common applications
Used in chemistry and physics. The "Calorie" on food labels is actually a kilocalorie.
Calorie (thermochemical) in other energy units
- 1 cal = 4.184 JCalorie (thermochemical) to Joule converter
- 1 cal = 0.004184 kJKilojoule
- 1 cal = 0.000004184 MJMegajoule
- 1 cal ≈ 0.001162222222 WhWatt-hour
- 1 cal ≈ 0.000001162222222 kWhKilowatt-hour
- 1 cal = 0.001 kcalKilocalorie (thermochemical)
- 1 cal ≈ 0.003965666831 BTUBritish thermal unit (IT)
- 1 cal ≈ 3.085960033 ft·lbfFoot-pound-force
- 1 cal ≈ 2.611447397e+19 eVElectronvolt
- 1 cal = 41840000 ergErg
Calorie (thermochemical) quick reference
| Calorie (thermochemical) | Joule | Kilojoule | Kilocalorie (thermochemical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cal | = 4.184 J | = 0.004184 kJ | = 0.001 kcal |
| 10 cal | = 41.84 J | = 0.04184 kJ | = 0.01 kcal |
| 100 cal | = 418.4 J | = 0.4184 kJ | = 0.1 kcal |
| 1000 cal | = 4184 J | = 4.184 kJ | = 1 kcal |
Where the calorie fits
The next smaller energy unit is the foot-pound-force (ft·lbf). 1 cal ≈ 3.085960033 ft·lbf, and 1 ft·lbf ≈ 0.3240482668 cal.
The next larger energy unit is the kilojoule (kJ). 1 cal = 0.004184 kJ, and 1 kJ ≈ 239.0057361 cal.
Frequently asked questions
- How many joules are in one calorie?
- One calorie = 4.184 J (joules).
- How many kilojoules are in one calorie?
- One calorie = 0.004184 kJ (kilojoules).
- How many kilocalories are in one calorie?
- One calorie = 0.001 kcal (kilocalories).