1 cal = 4.184 J
1 calorie equals 4.184 joules. To convert calories to joules, multiply the calorie value by 4.184. For quick reference: 1 cal = 4.184 J, 5 cal = 20.92 J, 10 cal = 41.84 J, 100 cal = 418.4 J.
Joules = Calories × 4.184Start with your value in calories.
Multiply the calorie value by 4.184. This is the exact conversion factor from calories to joules.
The product is your value in joules. For example, 5 cal × 4.184 = 20.92 J.
The exact factor from calories to joules is 4.184.
Joules = Calories × 4.184
Fifty common reference values, hand-picked for skim utility. Use the calculator above for any value not listed.
| Calories (cal) | Joules (J) |
|---|---|
| 0.001 cal | 0.004184 J |
| 0.01 cal | 0.04184 J |
| 0.1 cal | 0.4184 J |
| 0.5 cal | 2.092 J |
| 1 cal | 4.184 J |
| 1.5 cal | 6.276 J |
| 2 cal | 8.368 J |
| 5 cal | 20.92 J |
| 10 cal | 41.84 J |
| 20 cal | 83.68 J |
| 50 cal | 209.2 J |
| 100 cal | 418.4 J |
| 200 cal | 836.8 J |
| 250 cal | 1046 J |
| 500 cal | 2092 J |
| 1000 cal | 4184 J |
| 2000 cal | 8368 J |
| 2500 cal | 10460 J |
| 3600 cal | 15062 J |
| 5000 cal | 20920 J |
| 7500 cal | 31380 J |
| 10000 cal | 41840 J |
| 25000 cal | 104600 J |
| 50000 cal | 209200 J |
| 100000 cal | 418400 J |
| 250000 cal | 1046000 J |
| 500000 cal | 2092000 J |
| 1000000 cal | 4184000 J |
| 2000000 cal | 8368000 J |
| 3600000 cal | 15062400 J |
| 5000000 cal | 20920000 J |
| 10000000 cal | 41840000 J |
| 25000000 cal | 104600000 J |
| 50000000 cal | 209200000 J |
| 100000000 cal | 418400000 J |
| 250000000 cal | 1046000000 J |
| 500000000 cal | 2092000000 J |
| 1000000000 cal | 4184000000 J |
| 2000000000 cal | 8368000000 J |
| 5000000000 cal | 20920000000 J |
| 10000000000 cal | 41840000000 J |
| 20000000000 cal | 83680000000 J |
| 50000000000 cal | 209200000000 J |
| 100000000000 cal | 418400000000 J |
| 1000000000000 cal | 4184000000000 J |
| 10000000000000 cal | 41840000000000 J |
| 100000000000000 cal | 418400000000000 J |
| 1000000000000000 cal | 4.1840 × 10^15 J |
| 10000000000000000 cal | 4.1840 × 10^16 J |
| 100000000000000000 cal | 4.1840 × 10^17 J |
Burning a single dietary calorie of fat releases about 4.184 kJ of heat. A wooden match releases roughly 1,000 small calories. In joules, that gives you: 1 cal = 4.184 J, 10 cal = 41.84 J, 100 cal = 418.4 J.
Convertitive uses the thermochemical (small) calorie, defined as exactly 4.184 joules — the energy needed to raise 1 g of water by 1 °C. Do not confuse it with the large calorie (kcal) used on US nutrition labels, which is 1,000 of these small calories.
The joule (J) is the SI derived unit of energy, work, and heat — defined as the energy transferred when a force of one newton acts over one meter. The joule is the standard unit in physics, chemistry, and most modern engineering documentation.