Convert kilowatt to BTU per hour.

Convert kilowatt (kW) to BTU per hour (BTU/h). This is a fixed-ratio conversion — multiply the input by the factor below.

Formula

BTU/h = kW × 3412.14

Reference values

Things to watch for

• 1 HP (mechanical) = 745.7 W. Metric HP (PS) = 735.5 W. Boiler HP is yet another value. Be specific.
• A '1 ton AC unit' is a power rating: 1 ton ≈ 3.517 kW of cooling capacity (from melting one ton of ice per day).
• BTU/h ≈ 0.293 W. A 12,000 BTU/h AC = 3.5 kW = 1 ton.

What is a kilowatt?

One kilowatt equals exactly 1,000 watts. Larger motors, EV charging speeds, home solar arrays, and HVAC systems.

What is a BTU per hour?

One BTU per hour equals about 0.293 watts. Air conditioner and furnace capacities in the US.

Real-world examples of kW

Concrete examples often help when a unit doesn't have an intuitive feel. 1 kW is an electric kettle; 7 kW is a Level 2 EV charger; and 100 kW is a Tesla Model 3 motor at full output.

How to convert kilowatt to BTU per hour

To convert a value from kilowatt (kW) to BTU per hour (BTU/h), apply the conversion factor shown in the formula above. The calculation is the same whether you do it by hand, in a spreadsheet, or with the live converter on this page.

Steps:

1. Take your input value in kW.
2. Apply the formula BTU/h = kW × 3412.14.
3. The result is your value in BTU/h.

For repeated calculations, save the formula in a spreadsheet or use the live converter at the top of this page — it handles the math automatically and displays the result as you type.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert kW to BTU/h?

Apply the formula kW → BTU/h shown above, or just type your value into the converter at the top of this page. The result updates instantly.

Which is bigger, kW or BTU/h?

This depends on the conversion ratio in the formula. If the factor multiplied by your value gives a larger number, then BTU/h is the smaller unit (so it takes more of them to express the same quantity). If the result is smaller, then BTU/h is the larger unit.

When would I use kW versus BTU/h?

Both units measure power, so the choice depends on context. Kilowatt is typically used for engines, electrical loads, and HVAC equipment; BTU per hour similarly. Most professional fields standardize on one or the other based on regional conventions or technical tradition.

How precise is this kW to BTU/h conversion?

The conversion factor shown is the internationally defined exact value (or the best-published approximation if the relationship is irrational, like degrees-to-radians). The live converter on this page uses double-precision floating-point math, accurate to about 15 significant digits — far beyond any practical engineering need.

Is the conversion ratio exact, or an approximation?

Most unit conversions between SI metric units, and between SI and US customary units, have been formally defined as exact values since the 1959 international yard-pound agreement and subsequent SI redefinitions. Exceptions are unit pairs that involve irrational numbers (radians, e.g.) or empirical conversions (like food calories, which depend on temperature). When in doubt, consult the formula at the top of this page.

Related conversions

See also