Kcal to Calories Converter
Convert between kilocalories (kcal), Calories, and joules with our easy-to-use energy unit converter.
Energy Unit Conversion
Energy Units and Nutrition
Understanding energy units in nutrition:
Did you know?
In nutrition and food labeling, "Calories" (with a capital C) and "kilocalories" (kcal) are actually the same unit of energy!
- 1 Calorie (food calorie) = 1 kilocalorie = 1,000 small calories
- 1 kilocalorie (kcal) = 4.184 kilojoules (kJ)
- Food labels in the US use "Calories", while Europe often uses "kcal"
Our converter helps you translate between these common energy units used in nutrition, physics, and everyday life.
Conversion Result
This is the equivalent energy amount in the selected unit.
Common Equivalents
| Unit | Value |
|---|
What are Calories and Kilocalories?
When discussing energy in nutrition, there's often confusion about the terms "calorie" and "kilocalorie":
- Small calorie (cal): The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C. This is rarely used in nutrition.
- Large calorie or Kilocalorie (kcal or Cal): Equal to 1,000 small calories. This is the unit used in nutrition and food labeling, often written as "Calories" (with a capital "C") in the United States.
In scientific terms, 1 kilocalorie equals 4.184 kilojoules (kJ). Many countries use kilojoules on food labels rather than kilocalories.
The key point to remember is that when you see "Calories" on food packaging in the US, these are actually kilocalories (kcal). The capitalization of "C" in "Calories" indicates that it refers to kilocalories, not small calories.
Food Labeling and Energy Units
Different countries use different energy units on food labels:
- United States: Uses "Calories" (with a capital C) on food labels, which are technically kilocalories.
- European Union: Food labels show energy content in both kilocalories (kcal) and kilojoules (kJ).
- Australia and New Zealand: Primarily use kilojoules (kJ) on food labels, though kcal may also be included.
- Canada: Uses Calories (kcal) as the primary unit, with kJ sometimes included as well.
When following recipes or dietary guidelines from different countries, it's important to know whether they're referring to Calories (kcal) or kilojoules (kJ). This converter helps you translate between these different units to avoid confusion.
Remember: 1 kcal = 1 Calorie = 4.184 kJ. If you're comparing products with different units, make sure to convert them to the same unit for an accurate comparison.
Common Energy Unit Conversions
Here are the standard conversion factors between different energy units:
| Conversion | Factor |
|---|---|
| Kilocalories (kcal) to Calories (Cal) | 1 kcal = 1 Cal |
| Kilocalories (kcal) to kilojoules (kJ) | 1 kcal = 4.184 kJ |
| Kilocalories (kcal) to joules (J) | 1 kcal = 4,184 J |
| Kilojoules (kJ) to kilocalories (kcal) | 1 kJ = 0.239 kcal |
| Calories (small calories) to kilocalories | 1,000 cal = 1 kcal |
| Joules (J) to kilojoules (kJ) | 1,000 J = 1 kJ |
For quick mental conversions when reading food labels:
- To convert kcal to kJ: Multiply by 4.2 (or roughly 4)
- To convert kJ to kcal: Divide by 4.2 (or roughly 4)
Practical Examples of Energy Units in Food
To help visualize these energy units in everyday foods:
| Food Item | Calories (kcal) | Kilojoules (kJ) |
|---|---|---|
| Medium apple (182g) | 95 kcal | 397 kJ |
| Medium banana (118g) | 105 kcal | 439 kJ |
| Slice of white bread | 75 kcal | 314 kJ |
| 1 large egg (50g) | 78 kcal | 326 kJ |
| 100g chicken breast | 165 kcal | 690 kJ |
| 20oz bottle of cola | 240 kcal | 1,004 kJ |
| Typical daily intake (adult) | 2,000-2,500 kcal | 8,368-10,460 kJ |
Understanding these values helps you make informed decisions about your diet regardless of which energy units are used on food labels.