UnitsConverter

Kilowatt to Gigawatt Converter

Convert kilowatts to gigawatts with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 Kilowatt = 0.000001 gigawatts

Formula: Kilowatt × conversion factor = Gigawatt

Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.

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All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.

Last verified: February 2026Reviewed by: Sam Mathew, Software Engineer

Kilowatt to Gigawatt Calculator

How to Use the Kilowatt to Gigawatt Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Kilowatt).
  2. The converted value in Gigawatt will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Power category.
  4. Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
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How to Convert Kilowatt to Gigawatt: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting Kilowatt to Gigawatt involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

GW = kW × 0.000001

Example Calculation:

1 kW = 0.000001 GW

Disclaimer: For Reference Only

These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.

Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.

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What is a Kilowatt and a Gigawatt?

1 kW = 1,000 W = 1.341 hp = 3,412 BTU/h = 1,000 J/s

1 GW = 1,000,000,000 W = 1,000 MW = 1,000,000 kW = 1,341,022 hp = 3.412 billion BTU/h

Note: The Kilowatt is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Gigawatt belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

Common Uses and Applications: kilowatts vs gigawatts

Explore the typical applications for both Kilowatt (imperial/US) and Gigawatt (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for kilowatts

Appliances: Heaters (1-2 kW), microwaves (0.8-1.2 kW), electric ovens (2-5 kW). EVs: Charging power (3.7-22 kW home, 50-350 kW fast charging). Solar: Residential systems (5-10 kW capacity). HVAC: Air conditioner power (2-7 kW for homes).

When to Use gigawatts

Power Plants: Nuclear reactors, coal plants, large hydro dams (1-3 GW each). National Grids: Total generation capacity for countries/regions. Energy Policy: Renewable energy targets, grid expansion planning. Data Centers: Massive hyperscale facilities (approaching 1 GW).

Additional Unit Information

About Kilowatt (kW)

How do I convert kW to horsepower?

Formula: hp = kW × 1.341

Examples:

  • 10 kW = 13.4 hp
  • 75 kW = 100.6 hp (100 hp)
  • 100 kW = 134.1 hp
  • 250 kW = 335.3 hp

kW to HP converter →

What is the difference between kW and kWh?

kW (kilowatt) = Power (rate of energy use right now) kWh (kilowatt-hour) = Energy (total amount used over time)

Analogy:

  • kW = speedometer (speed right now)
  • kWh = odometer (total distance traveled)

Example: 2 kW heater × 3 hours = 6 kWh energy consumed

How much does 1 kW cost per hour?

Cost = kW × hours × electricity rate

Examples (at $0.15/kWh average US rate):

  • 1 kW for 1 hour = 1 kWh = $0.15
  • 2 kW heater for 8 hours = 16 kWh = $2.40
  • 100W light (0.1 kW) for 10 hours = 1 kWh = $0.15

Rates vary: $0.09-0.40/kWh depending on location and time of day.

How many kW is a typical home solar system?

Residential solar systems:

  • Small (2-4 people): 3-5 kW (10-15 panels)
  • Average home: 5-8 kW (15-24 panels)
  • Large home: 8-12 kW (24-36 panels)
  • Very large: 12-15+ kW (36-45+ panels)

Production: ~4-5 kWh per kW installed per day (varies by location, season).

Example: 6 kW system produces ~24-30 kWh/day, ~730-900 kWh/month.

About Gigawatt (GW)

How do I convert GW to MW or kW?

Formula:

  • MW = GW × 1,000
  • kW = GW × 1,000,000
  • W = GW × 1,000,000,000

Examples:

  • 1 GW = 1,000 MW = 1,000,000 kW
  • 2.5 GW = 2,500 MW = 2,500,000 kW
  • 0.5 GW = 500 MW = 500,000 kW

GW to MW converter → GW to kW converter →

How much power is 1.21 gigawatts?

Reference: "Back to the Future" flux capacitor requirement

1.21 GW = 1,210 MW = 1,210,000 kW

Equivalent to:

  • ~1 nuclear reactor at full output
  • ~600 large wind turbines (2 MW each)
  • ~400,000 US homes' average consumption
  • ~1,620,000 horsepower
  • Lightning bolt peak: ~1 TW (1,000 GW) for microseconds, but 1.21 GW sustained is massive

Reality: No practical way to extract 1.21 GW from a lightning bolt (too brief, unpredictable)

How many homes can 1 GW power?

Average US home: ~1.2 kW average draw (30 kWh/day ÷ 24 hours)

1 GW = 1,000,000 kW

Calculation: 1,000,000 kW ÷ 1.2 kW/home ≈ 833,000 homes

Regional variations:

  • Southwest US (high AC use): ~600,000 homes per GW
  • Northeast US: ~700,000-800,000 homes per GW
  • Pacific Northwest: ~900,000-1,000,000 homes per GW

Peak vs average: During peak demand (hot summer afternoon), 1 GW powers fewer homes (~300,000-500,000).

What is the world's largest power plant?

Three Gorges Dam (China): 22.5 GW capacity

  • Type: Hydroelectric
  • Turbines: 34 generators
  • Annual generation: ~100 TWh/year
  • Location: Yangtze River

Other massive plants:

  • Itaipu Dam (Brazil/Paraguay): 14 GW
  • Xiluodu Dam (China): 13.86 GW
  • Belo Monte Dam (Brazil): 11.23 GW
  • Guri Dam (Venezuela): 10.2 GW

Largest nuclear (single site): Kashiwazaki-Kariwa (Japan): 7.97 GW (7 reactors)

How do countries measure their energy capacity?

Installed capacity: Total GW of all power plants (nameplate rating)

Actual generation: Lower than capacity due to:

  • Capacity factor: % of time at full output
  • Maintenance downtime
  • Fuel availability
  • Grid demand

Example - US (2024):

  • Installed capacity: ~1,200 GW
  • Peak demand: ~740 GW (summer)
  • Average demand: ~450 GW

Capacity factor by source:

  • Nuclear: 90-95% (runs constantly)
  • Coal: 40-60%
  • Natural gas: 30-60%
  • Wind: 25-45%
  • Solar: 15-30%

Conversion Table: Kilowatt to Gigawatt

Kilowatt (kW)Gigawatt (GW)
0.50
10
1.50
20
50
100
250
500
1000
2500
5000.001
1,0000.001

People Also Ask

How do I convert Kilowatt to Gigawatt?

To convert Kilowatt to Gigawatt, enter the value in Kilowatt in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our power converter page to convert between other units in this category.

Learn more →

What is the conversion factor from Kilowatt to Gigawatt?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Kilowatt and Gigawatt. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.

Can I convert Gigawatt back to Kilowatt?

Yes! You can easily convert Gigawatt back to Kilowatt by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Gigawatt to Kilowatt converter page. You can also explore other power conversions on our category page.

Learn more →

What are common uses for Kilowatt and Gigawatt?

Kilowatt and Gigawatt are both standard units used in power measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our power converter for more conversion options.

For more power conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.

Helpful Conversion Guides

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📚 How to Convert Units

Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.

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⚖️ Metric vs Imperial

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⚠️ Common Mistakes

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Other Power Units and Conversions

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Verified Against Authority Standards

All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.

NIST Reference on Constants, Units and Uncertainty

National Institute of Standards and Technology — Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions

BIPM SI Units

Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards

ISO 80000

International Organization for Standardization — Quantities and units international standards series

Last verified: February 19, 2026