Kilojoules (kJ) to Calories (cal) Conversion
Kilojoules
The kilojoule (kJ) is a unit of energy equal to exactly 1,000 joules. It is the standard unit for expressing food energy in most countries outside the United States, where food labels display energy in both kilojoules and kilocalories (kcal). One kilocalorie equals exactly 4.184 kilojoules. In thermodynamics and chemistry, reaction enthalpies and bond energies are commonly tabulated in kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol).
Calories
The calorie (cal) is a unit of energy equal to exactly 4.184 joules, defined as the energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius at 15 °C. This is the thermochemical calorie — distinct from the food calorie (written as Cal or kcal), which is 1,000 times larger. The calorie originated in 19th-century thermodynamics before the joule was established as the SI standard, and persists in chemistry, biology, and food science.
| Kilojoules (kJ) | Calories (cal) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 kJ | 23.9006 cal |
| 1 kJ | 239.0057 cal |
| 2 kJ | 478.0115 cal |
| 3 kJ | 717.0172 cal |
| 5 kJ | 1,195.0287 cal |
| 10 kJ | 2,390.0574 cal |
| 20 kJ | 4,780.1147 cal |
| 30 kJ | 7,170.1721 cal |
| 50 kJ | 11,950.2868 cal |
| 100 kJ | 23,900.5736 cal |
| 1000 kJ | 239,005.7361 cal |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many calories are in 1 kilojoules?
1 kilojoules (kJ) is exactly 239.006 calories (cal).
How do I convert kilojoules to calories?
Multiply the value in kilojoules by 239.006 to get the result in calories. Or use the converter above — type any number and see the result instantly.