Joules (J) to British thermal units (BTU) Conversion
Joules
The joule (J) is the SI derived unit of energy, work, and heat, defined as the work done when a force of one newton displaces an object by one metre (J = N·m = kg·m²·s⁻²). Named after James Prescott Joule, who established the mechanical equivalent of heat in the 1840s, the joule unifies all forms of energy — mechanical, thermal, electrical, chemical, and nuclear — under one framework. One joule is small: lifting an apple (≈100 g) one metre requires about 1 joule, while a human at rest metabolises approximately 80 joules per second.
British thermal units
The British thermal unit (BTU) is a unit of energy approximately equal to 1,055.06 joules, defined as the energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. It remains the standard unit for heating and cooling capacity in HVAC systems in the United States: air conditioners and furnaces are rated in BTU/hour. A typical residential air conditioner is rated at 5,000–24,000 BTU/h. One BTU equals approximately 0.000293 kWh.
| Joules (J) | British thermal units (BTU) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 J | 0.0000948 BTU |
| 1 J | 0.000948 BTU |
| 2 J | 0.0019 BTU |
| 3 J | 0.00284 BTU |
| 5 J | 0.00474 BTU |
| 10 J | 0.00948 BTU |
| 20 J | 0.019 BTU |
| 30 J | 0.0284 BTU |
| 50 J | 0.0474 BTU |
| 100 J | 0.0948 BTU |
| 1000 J | 0.9478 BTU |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many British thermal units are in 1 joules?
1 joules (J) is exactly 0.000948 British thermal units (BTU).
How do I convert joules to British thermal units?
Multiply the value in joules by 0.000948 to get the result in British thermal units. Or use the converter above — type any number and see the result instantly.