calories to Joules conversion

calories to Joules conversion table

calories (cal)Joules (J)
00
14.184
28.368
312.552
416.736
520.92
625.104
729.288
833.472
937.656
1041.84
2083.68
30125.52
40167.36
50209.2
60251.04
70292.88
80334.72
90376.56
100418.4
10004184

How to convert calories to joules?

Calories are indeed a unit of measure for energy. To convert calories to joules, you need to know the conversion factor.

1 calorie (cal) is equivalent to 4.184 joules (J).

So, to convert 1 calorie to joules, you multiply by this factor:

1 cal × 4.184 J/cal = 4.184 J

Real World Examples Using Calories

Food Energy

Food energy is commonly measured in kilocalories (kcal), where 1 kilocalorie equals 1,000 calories. This is often referred to simply as "calories" in nutritional contexts. Here's how to convert kilocalories to joules:

1 kilocalorie (kcal) = 1,000 calories = 1,000 × 4.184 J = 4,184 joules (J)

  • Example: A chocolate bar might contain around 250 kilocalories:
    • 250 kcal = 250 × 4,184 J = 1,046,000 J

Physical Activity

Calories are also used to quantify the energy expenditure of physical activities:

  • Walking

    • Walking at a moderate pace might burn approximately 100 kcal per mile.
    • 100 kcal = 100 × 4,184 J = 418,400 J
  • Running

    • Running a mile might burn around 120 kcal.
    • 120 kcal = 120 × 4,184 J = 502,080 J

Heating

Calories are used to measure heat energy as well:

  • Heating Water
    • To raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C, you need 1 calorie of energy:
      • 1 cal = 4.184 J
    • To boil a liter (1,000 grams) of water from room temperature (25°C) to 100°C, you need:
      • Energy required = mass × temperature change × specific heat capacity
      • For water: 1,000 g × (100°C - 25°C) × 1 cal/g°C = 75,000 cal
      • 75,000 cal = 75,000 × 4.184 J = 313,800 J

These examples illustrate how calories and joules are used in various everyday contexts, from nutrition to physical activity and heating.

See below section for step by step unit conversion with formulas and explanations. Please refer to the table below for a list of all the Joules to other unit conversions.

What is calories?

Calories are a unit of measurement that represents the amount of energy your body gets from consuming food and drinks. In other words, they measure the energy content of what you eat.

Here's how it works:

  1. Your body uses calories to function: To grow, repair tissues, and maintain basic bodily functions (like beating your heart or breathing), your body needs a certain amount of energy.
  2. Food provides that energy: When you eat food, the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in those foods are broken down into different forms of energy. This process is called metabolism.
  3. Calories represent that energy: The total amount of energy from these processes is measured in calories (or kilocalories). One calorie is equal to 4.184 joules.

Think of it like this:

  • A car engine needs gasoline to run, and a certain amount of gasoline provides a specific amount of energy.
  • Similarly, your body "runs" on the energy provided by the foods you eat. The more calories in those foods, the more energy they provide for your bodily functions.

Here are some common examples of calorie sources:

  • 1 banana: approximately 100-110 calories
  • 1 apple: around 95 calories
  • 1 cup of cooked rice: about 200-250 calories

When you consume a certain amount of calories, your body uses that energy to perform various functions. Excess calories can lead to weight gain if not balanced with physical activity or burned off through exercise.

Does this help clarify what calories are?

What is Joules?

Joules measures energy. It is part of SI units system. Symbol for inches is JJ.

A Joule is commonly defined as amount of work done when a force of 1 newton displaces a mass through a distance of 1 metre in the direction of the force applied.

1 J=1 kgm2/s2=1 Nm1\ J = 1\ kg*m^2/s^{2} = 1\ N*m

1 J=1 Pam3=1 Ws=1 CV1\ J = 1\ Pa*m^3 = 1\ W*s = 1\ C*V

Where JJ - joule
kgkg - kilogram
mm - metre
ss - second
NN - newton
PaPa - pascal
WW - watt
CC - coulomb
VV - volt

Wiki page for Joules

Complete calories conversion table

Enter # of calories
Convert 1 cal to other unitsResult
calories to Watt-seconds (cal to Ws)4.184
calories to Watt-minutes (cal to Wm)0.06973333333333
calories to Watt-hours (cal to Wh)0.001162222222222
calories to Milliwatt-hours (cal to mWh)1.1622222222222
calories to Kilowatt-hours (cal to kWh)0.000001162222222222
calories to Megawatt-hours (cal to MWh)1.1622222222222e-9
calories to Gigawatt-hours (cal to GWh)1.1622222222222e-12
calories to Joules (cal to J)4.184
calories to Kilojoules (cal to kJ)0.004184
calories to Megajoules (cal to MJ)0.000004184
calories to Gigajoules (cal to GJ)4.184e-9
calories to Kilocalories (cal to kcal)0.001