Convert Kilocalories (kcal) to British Thermal Units (BTU)

Enter a value below to convert Kilocalories (kcal) to British Thermal Units (BTU).

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Conversion:

1 Kilocalories (kcal) = 3.9656512426 British Thermal Units (BTU)

How to Convert Kilocalories (kcal) to British Thermal Units (BTU)

1 kcal = 3.9656512426 btu

1 btu = 0.25216539197 kcal

Example: convert 15 Kilocalories (kcal) to British Thermal Units (BTU):

25 kcal = 99.141281065 btu

Kilocalories (kcal) to British Thermal Units (BTU) Conversion Table

Kilocalories (kcal)British Thermal Units (BTU)
0.01 kcal0.039656512426 btu
0.1 kcal0.39656512426 btu
1 kcal3.9656512426 btu
2 kcal7.9313024852 btu
3 kcal11.896953728 btu
5 kcal19.828256213 btu
10 kcal39.656512426 btu
20 kcal79.313024852 btu
50 kcal198.28256213 btu
100 kcal396.56512426 btu
1000 kcal3965.6512426 btu

Kilocalories (kcal)

Definition

A kilocalorie (kcal), also known as a food calorie or large calorie, equals 1,000 small calories or approximately 4,184 joules. It is the standard unit for measuring dietary energy.

History

The kilocalorie became the standard unit for food energy labeling in the United States and many other countries during the 20th century. Nutritionist Wilbur Olin Atwater pioneered its use in dietary science.

Current use

Kilocalories are the primary unit for food energy on nutrition labels in the US, Canada, and much of Asia. They are also used in exercise science, dietetics, and metabolic rate calculations.

British Thermal Units (BTU)

Definition

A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is an imperial unit of energy defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. It equals approximately 1,055.06 joules.

History

The BTU originated in the British imperial measurement system in the 19th century. Despite the global shift toward metric units, it remains entrenched in US, UK, and Canadian HVAC and energy industries.

Current use

BTUs are the standard unit for rating heating and cooling equipment (furnaces, air conditioners), measuring natural gas energy content, and comparing fuel efficiencies in North America.