cal to kcal Converter - Calorie to Kilocalorie
Calorie (cal) to Kilocalorie (kcal)
Direct answer
1 cal = 0.001 kcal
kcal = cal × 0.001
Converter
Conversion formula
kcal = cal × 0.001
cal = kcal × 1,000
Example: 10 cal = 10 × 0.001 = 0.01 kcal.
Common conversion table
| cal | kcal |
|---|---|
| 1 cal | 0.001 kcal |
| 2 cal | 0.002 kcal |
| 5 cal | 0.005 kcal |
| 10 cal | 0.01 kcal |
| 20 cal | 0.02 kcal |
| 50 cal | 0.05 kcal |
| 100 cal | 0.1 kcal |
| 1,000 cal | 1 kcal |
Conversion derivation
Express both cal and kcal in the same base unit J (joule), then cancel the shared base unit.
- 1
Rewrite cal in the base unit
- 2
Rewrite kcal in the base unit
- 3
Forward conversion
- 4
Reverse conversion
AI explanation for this conversion
This pre-generated explanation is schema-checked. Numeric results still come from the page formula and calculator.
Conversion from calorie (cal) to kilocalorie (kcal)
This conversion is a direct scaling based on metric prefixes, where 'kilo-' denotes a factor of 1,000. The calorie and kilocalorie are related by this fixed ratio.
Definition
The calorie (cal) is a unit of energy, and the kilocalorie (kcal) is the same unit scaled by the metric prefix 'kilo-', meaning 1 kilocalorie equals 1,000 calories.
Principle
The conversion uses the fact that the kilocalorie is defined as exactly 1,000 calories. The forward factor is therefore 1/1000, and the reverse factor is 1000.
Assumptions
- The conversion is based on the fixed relationship between the metric prefixes 'kilo-' and the base unit.
- The calorie (cal) referenced here is the small calorie, not the food Calorie (Cal).
Cautions
- In some contexts, especially nutrition, 'Calorie' (with a capital C) is used to denote a kilocalorie. Ensure you are using the correct unit symbol.
- The conversion factor is exact and does not require rounding for intermediate steps, but final results should be rounded as needed for the specific application.
FAQ
How many kcal are in 1 cal?
1 cal = 0.001 kcal.
How many kcal are in 10 cal?
10 cal = 0.01 kcal.
How many kcal are in 100 cal?
100 cal = 0.1 kcal.
What is the formula to convert cal to kcal?
Use kcal = cal × 0.001.
How many cal are in 1 kcal?
1 kcal = 1,000 cal.
What should I check when converting cal to kcal?
Use the conversion factor and round the result to the precision required by your calculation.