1 Calorie to Kcal – Easy Conversion Explained

1 calorie equals 0.001 kcal.

Since 1 calorie (cal) is defined as the energy needed to raise 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius, and 1 kilocalorie (kcal) equals 1000 calories, converting calories to kcal involves dividing by 1000. So, 1 cal = 1/1000 kcal = 0.001 kcal.

Introduction to Calories and Kcal

Calories and kilocalories are units used to measure energy, especially in food and nutrition. While they are often used interchangeably, a calorie is a smaller unit, and a kilocalorie represents a thousand calories, providing a larger measurement for energy content.

Conversion Tool

Conversion Formula

The conversion formula from calories to kcal is: kcal = calories ÷ 1000. This works because 1 kcal is defined as 1000 calories. For example, converting 500 calories: 500 ÷ 1000 = 0.5 kcal. The division scales the smaller calorie units into larger kcal units.

Conversion Example

• Convert 250 calories:
  • Step 1: Take the number 250.
  • Step 2: Divide 250 by 1000.
  • Step 3: 250 ÷ 1000 = 0.25.
  • Result: 250 calories is 0.25 kcal.
• Convert 1000 calories:
  • Step 1: Take the number 1000.
  • Step 2: Divide 1000 by 1000.
  • Step 3: 1000 ÷ 1000 = 1.
  • Result: 1000 calories equals 1 kcal.
• Convert 150 calories:
  • Step 1: Take 150.
  • Step 2: Divide 150 by 1000.
  • Step 3: 150 ÷ 1000 = 0.15.
  • Result: 150 calories is 0.15 kcal.

Conversion Chart

The table below shows calorie values from -24.0 to 26.0 converted into kcal. To read the chart, find the calorie value in the first column and look across to see its equivalent in kcal. Use it as quick reference for different energy measurements.

Related Conversion Questions

• How many kcal are in 1 calorie of energy?
• What is the kcal equivalent of 1 calorie consumed?
• Convert 1 calorie to kilocalories, what is the result?
• Is 1 calorie the same as 0.001 kcal?
• How do I convert calories into kcal for nutrition labels?
• What is the energy content in kcal for 1 calorie?
• How many kcal do I get from eating 1 calorie?

Conversion Definitions

A calorie (cal) is a unit of energy representing the amount needed to increase the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C. A kcal (kilocalorie) equals 1000 calories, used mainly in food energy measurements, indicating the energy in a much larger quantity.

Conversion FAQs

Why is there a difference between calorie and kcal?

The term calorie refers to a small unit of energy, while kcal (kilocalorie) is a larger unit, equivalent to 1000 calories. They are used to express energy in different contexts, with kcal commonly used in nutrition to simplify large numbers.

Can I use this conversion for all types of calories?

This conversion applies only to small calories (cal) and kilocalories (kcal) in nutritional contexts. It does not apply to large calories used in physics or other scientific units, which may have different definitions depending on the field.

Does the conversion change if I measure in food calories?

No, the conversion remains the same. Food calories are actually kilocalories, so 1 food calorie equals 1 kcal. When you see calories on food labels, they are in kcal units, and converting to small calories involves multiplying by 1000.

Last Updated : 13 May, 2025

Sandeep Bhandari

Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.