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Convert Kilocalorie (Food Cal) to Kilojoule.

Input the value of kilocalories below to convert instantly to kilojoules with standard conversions, definitions, and equations.

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Value in Kilojoules = Value in Kilocalories × 4.184 Multiply the value in kilocalories by the conversion factor 4.184.

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Overview

About converting kilocalories to kilojoules

Kilocalories to kilojoules converts the familiar food Calorie into the kilojoule energy unit used on many international nutrition labels.

Since one kilocalorie is 4.184 kilojoules, converting kilocalories to kilojoules means multiplying by 4.184. So a 500 kcal meal is 2,092 kJ, and a 2,000 kcal daily diet is about 8,368 kJ.

Dietary guidelines quoted in Calories translate directly: the common '2,000 Calorie' reference diet is roughly 8,400 kJ, the figure you will see on Australian and European packaging. Knowing the 4.184 factor lets you compare products and recommendations regardless of which unit the label happens to use.

Practical Tips
  • Quick estimate: multiply kilocalories by 4.2.
  • 2,000 kcal ≈ 8,400 kJ is the standard daily-intake anchor.

How to Convert Kilocalories to Kilojoules

To convert kilocalorie (food cal) to kilojoule, we use the official conversion formulas. Below is the mathematical formula, plain-English explanation, and a worked example.

kilocalorie-to-kilojoule-formula.py
# Mathematical Formula
Value in Kilojoules = Value in Kilocalories × 4.184
# Worked Example (5 kcal)
5 kcal × 4.184 = 20.9200 kJ
What is a Kilocalorie (Food Cal)?

Kilocalorie (Food Cal) (kcal)

Commonly known as the food calorie (capital C), representing 1,000 gram calories.

What is a Kilojoule?

Kilojoule (kJ)

One thousand Joules.

Kilocalorie (Food Cal) to Kilojoule Conversion Table

Kilocalorie (Food Cal) (kcal) Kilojoule (kJ)
1 kcal 4.184 kJ
2 kcal 8.368 kJ
3 kcal 12.552 kJ
5 kcal 20.92 kJ
10 kcal 41.84 kJ
15 kcal 62.76 kJ
20 kcal 83.68 kJ
25 kcal 104.6 kJ
50 kcal 209.2 kJ
100 kcal 418.4 kJ
250 kcal 1046 kJ
500 kcal 2092 kJ
1000 kcal 4184 kJ

Kilojoule to Kilocalorie (Food Cal) Conversion Table

Kilojoule (kJ) Kilocalorie (Food Cal) (kcal)
1 kJ 0.23901 kcal
2 kJ 0.47801 kcal
3 kJ 0.71702 kcal
5 kJ 1.19503 kcal
10 kJ 2.39006 kcal
15 kJ 3.58509 kcal
20 kJ 4.78011 kcal
25 kJ 5.97514 kcal
50 kJ 11.95029 kcal
100 kJ 23.90057 kcal
250 kJ 59.75143 kcal
500 kJ 119.50287 kcal
1000 kJ 239.00574 kcal
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert kilocalories to kilojoules?

Multiply the value in kilocalories by the conversion factor 4.184. For example, to convert 5 kilocalories to kilojoules: 5 × 4.184 = 20.9200 kJ.

What is the conversion factor from kilocalorie (food cal) to kilojoule?

The conversion factor is 4.184. One kilocalorie (food cal) is equal to 4.184 kilojoules.

What is the reverse conversion from kilojoule to kilocalorie (food cal)?

To convert kilojoules back to kilocalories, multiply by 0.239006 (or divide the value by 4.184). One kilojoule is equal to 0.239006 kilocalories.

How many Joules are in 1 Kilowatt-hour (kWh)?

There are exactly 3,600,000 Joules (or 3.6 Megajoules) in 1 kWh.

What is the difference between a calorie and a Calorie?

A lowercase calorie (cal) is a small metric unit (4.184 J). A capitalized Calorie (Cal) is a food calorie, which is actually a kilocalorie (1,000 small calories or 4,184 J).

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