1 calorie is equal to 0.0010 kilocalories.
The calorie and kilocalorie are units of energy measurement used in nutrition and science. Since 1 kilocalorie equals 1000 calories, converting from calorie to kilocalorie involves dividing the calorie value by 1000, resulting in a smaller numerical value in kilocalories.
Conversion Tool
Result in kilocalorie:
Conversion Formula
The conversion formula from calorie (cal) to kilocalorie (kcal) is:
kilocalorie = calorie ÷ 1000
This works because 1 kilocalorie is exactly 1000 calories, so dividing the calorie amount by 1000 changes the unit to kilocalorie. For example, if you have 2500 calories, you convert it by doing:
- 2500 calories ÷ 1000 = 2.5 kilocalories
This formula is simple and direct. You convert by scaling down the value by a factor of 1000.
Conversion Example
- Convert 500 calories to kilocalories:
- Step 1: Write down the formula: kilocalorie = calorie ÷ 1000
- Step 2: Substitute 500 for calorie: 500 ÷ 1000
- Step 3: Calculate: 500 ÷ 1000 = 0.5
- Result: 500 calories equals 0.5 kilocalories
- Convert 1200 calories to kilocalories:
- Step 1: kilocalorie = calorie ÷ 1000
- Step 2: 1200 ÷ 1000
- Step 3: 1200 ÷ 1000 = 1.2
- Result: 1.2 kilocalories
- Convert 750 calories to kilocalories:
- Step 1: kilocalorie = calorie ÷ 1000
- Step 2: 750 ÷ 1000
- Step 3: 750 ÷ 1000 = 0.75
- Result: 0.75 kilocalories
- Convert 3500 calories to kilocalories:
- Step 1: kilocalorie = calorie ÷ 1000
- Step 2: 3500 ÷ 1000
- Step 3: 3500 ÷ 1000 = 3.5
- Result: 3.5 kilocalories
Conversion Chart
The table below shows calorie values from -24.0 to 26.0, converted into kilocalories. You can read the calorie amount in the left column and see its equivalent in kilocalories on the right.
| Calories (cal) | Kilocalories (kcal) |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -0.0240 |
| -20.0 | -0.0200 |
| -15.0 | -0.0150 |
| -10.0 | -0.0100 |
| -5.0 | -0.0050 |
| 0.0 | 0.0000 |
| 5.0 | 0.0050 |
| 10.0 | 0.0100 |
| 15.0 | 0.0150 |
| 20.0 | 0.0200 |
| 24.0 | 0.0240 |
| 26.0 | 0.0260 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How many kilocalories are in 1 calorie exactly?
- What is the easiest way to convert 1 calorie to kilocalorie?
- Does 1 calorie equal 0.001 kilocalorie or a different number?
- When converting 1 calorie, how do I calculate kilocalories step-by-step?
- Is there a formula to change 1 calorie into kilocalorie without a calculator?
- Can I convert 1 calorie to kilocalorie using a quick mental math trick?
- What is the difference between 1 calorie and 1 kilocalorie in energy content?
Conversion Definitions
Calorie: A calorie is a unit that measures energy, especially in food and heat. It defines the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. Calories are used for nutritional labeling and energy calculations, but can cause confusion with kilocalories.
Kilocalorie: A kilocalorie equals 1000 calories and is a larger unit of energy commonly used in nutrition to express the energy content of food. Sometimes called a “Calorie” with a capital C, it represents the energy needed to raise one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius, making it practical for diet measurements.
Conversion FAQs
Why does converting calories to kilocalories involve dividing by 1000?
The calorie is a smaller unit; 1000 calories make up one kilocalorie. So dividing by 1000 scales the energy value down to kilocalories. This conversion ensures energy is expressed in a more manageable unit for larger quantities, especially in food energy contexts.
Can I convert kilocalories back to calories easily?
Yes, converting kilocalories to calories is done by multiplying the kilocalorie value by 1000. This reverses the calorie-to-kilocalorie conversion and gives the equivalent amount in calories, which is useful when detailed energy measurements are needed.
Is the calorie used in food labeling the same as the scientific calorie?
In food labeling, the term “Calorie” usually means kilocalorie, not the smaller calorie. This can cause confusion because the scientific calorie is 1/1000th of the food Calorie. So, 1 food Calorie equals 1000 scientific calories.
Are negative calorie values meaningful in conversion?
Negative calorie values can appear in some calculations or temperature-related energy contexts but usually don’t represent physical food energy. In conversions, they follow the same division rule, but negative energy values are uncommon in nutrition.
What precision is recommended when converting calories to kilocalories?
Usually, showing 3 to 4 decimal places is enough for accuracy without overcomplicating results. Since kilocalories represent larger energy units, small differences in calories may not be significant, so rounding to four decimals strikes a good balance.
