Convert BTU to Calories
1 BTU = 252.17 cal
Conversion Table
| BTU (BTU) | calories (cal) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 126.08 |
| 1 | 252.17 |
| 2 | 504.33 |
| 5 | 1260.83 |
| 10 | 2521.65 |
| 25 | 6304.13 |
| 50 | 12608.27 |
| 100 | 25216.54 |
| 250 | 63041.35 |
| 500 | 126082.7 |
| 1000 | 252165.39 |
How to Convert BTU to calories
To convert BTU to calories, multiply the value by the conversion factor:
For example: 10 BTU = 2521.65 cal
About BTU and calories
The Conversion Formula
To convert BTU to calories, multiply the value by the conversion factor: 1 BTU = 252.17 cal. For a worked example, suppose you need to convert 25 BTU to calories: 25 × 252.17 = 6304.13 cal. To convert in the opposite direction, divide by 252.17, or equivalently multiply by 0.00396565.
About BTU
The British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the imperial counterpart to the calorie. It is the heat needed to raise 1 pound of water by 1°F. Despite its name, it is almost exclusively used in the United States today, particularly for heating (furnaces) and cooling (air conditioners). BTU are commonly used in AC unit ratings, Gas grills, Furnaces, and Water heaters, Propane tanks.
Burning a single wooden match releases about 1 BTU.
About calories
The calorie (lowercase c) was originally defined as the heat required to raise 1 gram of water by 1°C. It is a tiny unit, often called the 'gram calorie'. It is mostly used in chemistry and physics today, not for food. calories are commonly used in Chemistry experiments, Thermodynamics, Specific heat capacity, and Physics problems.
Heating 1 gram of water by 1°C takes 1 calorie.
When Would You Convert BTU to calories?
Converting between btu and calories is one of the most common energy conversions. You might need this conversion when working with international specifications, following instructions written for a different measurement system, or comparing values across different standards. Having the conversion factor (1 BTU = 252.17 cal) memorized or bookmarked can save time in professional and everyday contexts alike.