Joules to Calories Converter
How to convert joules to calories
calories = joules ÷ 4.184
To convert joules to calories, divide the number of joules by 4.184.
1 J = 0.239005736 cal
Examples
- 1,000 J ÷ 4.184 = 239.005736 cal
- One kilocalorie: 4,184 J ÷ 4.184 = 1,000 cal
Good to know
This uses the thermochemical calorie, exactly 4.184 joules. For food energy you probably want kilocalories, which are 1000 times larger.
This is the thermochemical calorie, exactly 4.184 J. It is the small calorie: the "Calories" on food labels are kilocalories, 1000 times larger. The International Table calorie (4.1868 J) is slightly different.
Joules to calories conversion table
| Joules (J) | Calories (cal) |
|---|---|
| 1 J | 0.239005736 cal |
| 2 J | 0.478011472 cal |
| 5 J | 1.19502868 cal |
| 10 J | 2.39005736 cal |
| 20 J | 4.78011472 cal |
| 50 J | 11.9502868 cal |
| 100 J | 23.9005736 cal |
| 200 J | 47.8011472 cal |
| 250 J | 59.751434 cal |
| 500 J | 119.502868 cal |
| 1,000 J | 239.005736 cal |
| 2,000 J | 478.011472 cal |
| 2,500 J | 597.51434 cal |
| 5,000 J | 1,195.02868 cal |
| 10,000 J | 2,390.05736 cal |
Unit definitions
- Joule (J)
- The joule is the SI unit of energy, equal to the work done by a force of one newton over one meter, or one watt for one second.
- Calorie (cal)
- The thermochemical calorie is defined as exactly 4.184 joules, roughly the energy needed to heat one gram of water by one degree Celsius.