Joules to calories conversion

Joules (J) to calories (cal), energy conversion calculator and how to convert.

Joules to calories conversion calculator

Enter the energy in joules, select calorie unit type and press the Convert button:

Enter energy in joules:		J
Select calorie unit type:	Small thermochemical calories Small 15°C calories Large/food calories
Energy result in calories:

Calories to joules conversion ►

Joules to Calories

The joule is the energy equal to the force on an object of one newton at a distance of one meter.[1] One joule is equal to the heat energy dissipated by the current of one ampere through one ohm of resistance for one second. One joule is also equal to the energy needed to move an electric charge of one coulomb through a potential difference of one volt. In addition, one joule is also equal to the one watt-second. The joule is the SI derived unit for energy in the metric system. Joules can be abbreviated as J; for example, 1 joule can be written as 1 J.

One calorie is equal to the heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water from 14.5 to 15.5 degrees Celsius. When measuring the energy content in foods, the large calorie, or kilocalorie is used, but it's often still just called a "calorie." When both the calorie and large calorie are used in the same context it is common to refer to the calorie as a "small calorie." Calories can be abbreviated as cal; for example, 1 calorie can be written as 1 cal.

Small & large calories

Small calorie (cal) is the energy needed to increase 1 gram of water by 1°C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere.

Large calorie (Cal) is the energy needed to increase 1 kg of water by 1°C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere.

Large calorie is also called food calorie and is used as a unit of food energy.

How to convert from joules to calories

Joules to thermochemical calories

1 cal_th = 4.184 J

The energy in thermochemical calories E_(calth) is equal to the energy in joules E_(J) divided by 4.184:

E_(cal) = E_(J) / 4.184

Example

Convert 600 joules to thermochemical calories.

E_(cal) = 600J / 4.184 = 143.4 cal_th

Joules to 15°C calories

1 cal₁₅ = 4.1855 J

The energy in 15°C calories E(cal15) is equal to the energy in joules E(J) divided by 4.1855:

E_(cal15) = E_(J) / 4.1855

Example

Convert 600 joules to 15°C calories.

E _(cal15) = 600J / 4.1855 = 143.352 cal₁₅

Joules to large/food calories

1 Cal = 4.184 kJ = 4184 J

The energy in large/food calories E_(Cal) is equal to the energy in joules E_(J) divided by 4184:

E_(Cal) = E_(J) / 4184

Example

Convert 600 joules to food calories.

E_(Cal) = 600J / 4184 = 0.1434 Cal

Calories to joules conversion ►