Authoritative definitions of the International System of Units and SI prefixes.
Dedicated unit pair
Megawatts to Kilowatts
Convert MW to kW instantly, then review the formula, assumptions, and rounding guidance.
Energy, work, heat & powerInstant result
Decimals
Formula result = input × 1000000 ÷ 1000. 1 MW = 1,000 kW
Common examples
One value, several units
Watts1,000,000 W
Kilowatts1,000 kW
Mechanical horsepower1,341.0221 hp
Metric horsepower1,359.6216 PS
BTU per hour3,412,141.6331 BTU/h
Conversion table
| MW | kW |
|---|---|
| 1 MW | 1,000 kW |
| 2 MW | 2,000 kW |
| 5 MW | 5,000 kW |
| 10 MW | 10,000 kW |
| 25 MW | 25,000 kW |
| 50 MW | 50,000 kW |
| 100 MW | 100,000 kW |
Conversion chart
1 MW1,000 kW
5 MW5,000 kW
10 MW10,000 kW
25 MW25,000 kW
50 MW50,000 kW
Worked example
1 mechanical horsepower is approximately 745.7 watts.
Unit definition
Megawatts (MW) One megawatts equals 1,000,000 watt.
Unit history
Megawatts is represented here using its modern SI definition or an internationally accepted relationship to an SI base unit.
Step by step
1. Parse the value, including fractions.
2. Convert MW to watt.
3. Convert the base value to kW and apply your display precision.
Understand the result before using it
Megawatts to Kilowatts converts a value measured in Megawatts (MW) into the equivalent value in Kilowatts (kW). The numerical value changes because the size and definition of the selected unit changes; the underlying quantity does not.
Calculated result
The conversion follows the displayed unit relationship. Display rounding can hide additional digits, and measured inputs cannot become more accurate merely by changing units.
Formula, assumptions, and example
Formula
result = input × 1000000 ÷ 1000
Assumptions
- Megawatts and Kilowatts represent the same power quantity.
- The input is expressed in MW; the output is expressed in kW.
- The unit definitions and conventional relationship shown on this page apply.
Worked example
1 MW = 1,000 kW. For another value, apply the same relationship and round only to the precision your source measurement supports.
When to use it
Good uses
- Read a MW measurement in a document that expects kW.
- Compare a megawatts value with a value reported in kilowatts.
- Check the MW-to-kW arithmetic before copying the result into another calculation.
Limitations
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not confuse MW with another unit that has a similar name or symbol.
- Round the output to a precision justified by the original measurement.
- Verify safety-critical, regulated, laboratory, and contractual conversions against the controlling standard.
Sources and further reading
These references explain the underlying standards or provide authoritative context. Your own contract, institution, clinician, product documentation, local code, or governing standard may be the controlling source.
Guidance on unit names, symbols, conversions, and numerical presentation.
Questions about this calculation
How do I convert Megawatts to Kilowatts?
result = input × 1000000 ÷ 1000 Using the displayed relationship, 1 MW equals 1,000 kW.
How many Kilowatts are in one Megawatts?
One Megawatts is 1,000 Kilowatts. The displayed digits may be rounded.
Can I reverse the MW to kW conversion?
Yes. Swap the source and target units in the converter. The reverse relationship converts kW back to MW.
Is the Megawatts to Kilowatts result exact?
The conversion follows the displayed unit relationship. Display rounding can hide additional digits, and measured inputs cannot become more accurate merely by changing units.