Convert Calories to Kilocalories

1 cal = 0.001 kcal

1 cal = 0.001 kcal

calories (cal) kilocalories (kcal)
0.5 0.0005
1 0.001
2 0.002
5 0.005
10 0.01
25 0.025
50 0.05
100 0.1
250 0.25
500 0.5
1000 1

To convert calories to kilocalories, multiply the value by the conversion factor:

1 cal = 0.001 kcal

For example: 10 cal = 0.01 kcal

The Conversion Formula

To convert calories to kilocalories, multiply the value by the conversion factor: 1 cal = 0.001 kcal. For a worked example, suppose you need to convert 25 cal to kilocalories: 25 × 0.001 = 0.025 kcal. To convert in the opposite direction, divide by 0.001, or equivalently multiply by 1000.

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.

About kilocalories

The kilocalorie (kcal) is what we colloquially call a 'Calorie' (capital C) on food labels in the US. It equals 1,000 small chemistry calories. It represents the energy required to heat 1 kilogram of water by 1°C. Confusion between calories and Calories is one of the most common unit errors in the world! kilocalories are commonly used in US Food labels, Diet apps, Fitness trackers, and Nutrition science, Body metabolic rate.

An apple contains about 95 kilocalories (Calories).

When Would You Convert calories to kilocalories?

Converting between calories and kilocalories 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 cal = 0.001 kcal) memorized or bookmarked can save time in professional and everyday contexts alike.