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Convert Kilojoule to Kilocalorie (Food Cal).

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

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Value in Kilocalories = Value in Kilojoules × 0.239006 Multiply the value in kilojoules by the conversion factor 0.239006.

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Overview

About converting kilojoules to kilocalories

Kilojoules to kilocalories is the nutrition-label conversion between the metric energy unit and the 'Calories' most people use to think about food.

One kilocalorie (the food 'Calorie') is 4.184 kilojoules, so converting kilojoules to kilocalories means dividing by 4.184. A 2,000 kJ snack is about 478 kcal, and an 8,400 kJ daily intake is roughly 2,000 kcal.

Food labels in Europe and Australia list energy in kilojoules, while the US and many other countries use Calories (capital C), which are really kilocalories. The factor of about 4.2 between them is why a chocolate bar can read '1,100 kJ' on one label and '263 Cal' on another for the very same product.

Practical Tips
  • Quick estimate: divide kilojoules by 4.2.
  • The food 'Calorie' on US labels is a kilocalorie — 1 Cal = 1 kcal = 4.184 kJ.

How to Convert Kilojoules to Kilocalories

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

kilojoule-to-kilocalorie-formula.py
# Mathematical Formula
Value in Kilocalories = Value in Kilojoules × 0.239006
# Worked Example (5 kJ)
5 kJ × 0.239006 = 1.1950 kcal
What is a Kilojoule?

Kilojoule (kJ)

One thousand Joules.

What is a Kilocalorie (Food Cal)?

Kilocalorie (Food Cal) (kcal)

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

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

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
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert kilojoules to kilocalories?

Multiply the value in kilojoules by the conversion factor 0.239006. For example, to convert 5 kilojoules to kilocalories: 5 × 0.239006 = 1.1950 kcal.

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

The conversion factor is 0.239006. One kilojoule is equal to 0.239006 kilocalories.

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

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

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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