UnitsConverter

Megawatt to Kilowatt Converter

Convert megawatts to kilowatts with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 Megawatt = 1000 kilowatts

Formula: Megawatt × conversion factor = Kilowatt

Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.

Our Accuracy Guarantee

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

Megawatt to Kilowatt Calculator

How to Use the Megawatt to Kilowatt Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Megawatt).
  2. The converted value in Kilowatt 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 Megawatt to Kilowatt: Step-by-Step Guide

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

Formula:

kW = MW × 1000

Example Calculation:

1 MW = 1000 kW

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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📋 Unit Symbols

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What is a Megawatt and a Kilowatt?

1 MW = 1,000,000 W = 1,000 kW = 1,341 hp = 3.412 million BTU/h = 0.001 GW

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

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

Common Uses and Applications: megawatts vs kilowatts

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

Common Uses for megawatts

Renewable Energy: Wind turbines (2-15 MW), solar farms (1-100 MW). Power Generation: Small power plants, gas turbines, diesel generators. Industrial: Large factories, manufacturing plants, mining operations. Data Centers: Hyperscale facilities (20-100 MW), server farms.

When to Use 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).

Additional Unit Information

About Megawatt (MW)

How do I convert MW to kW or W?

Formula:

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

Examples:

  • 1 MW = 1,000 kW = 1,000,000 W
  • 5 MW = 5,000 kW = 5,000,000 W
  • 2.5 MW = 2,500 kW = 2,500,000 W
  • 0.5 MW = 500 kW = 500,000 W

MW to kW converter → MW to Watts converter →

How many homes can 1 MW power?

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

1 MW = 1,000 kW

Calculation: 1,000 kW ÷ 1.2 kW/home ≈ 833 homes (average load)

Regional variations:

  • High AC use (Arizona, Texas): ~600-700 homes
  • Moderate climate: ~700-900 homes
  • Mild climate: ~900-1,200 homes

Peak vs average:

  • Average load: 1 MW = 800-900 homes
  • Peak load (summer afternoon): 1 MW = 300-500 homes

Example: 5 MW wind turbine powers ~4,000 homes on average

What is the difference between MW and MWh?

MW (Megawatt) = Power (rate of energy use/generation right now) MWh (Megawatt-hour) = Energy (total amount over time)

Analogy:

  • MW = speedometer (speed right now)
  • MWh = odometer (total distance traveled)

Example:

  • 5 MW solar farm × 6 hours = 30 MWh energy produced
  • 10 MW data center × 24 hours = 240 MWh daily consumption

Power plant ratings: Always in MW (capacity) Energy production/consumption: Measured in MWh or GWh

How much does a 1 MW power plant produce per year?

Formula: Annual MWh = MW × hours/year × capacity factor

1 MW at 100% capacity: 8,760 MWh/year (365 days × 24 hours)

Realistic production (accounting for capacity factor):

Nuclear: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 90% = 7,884 MWh/year Coal: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 50% = 4,380 MWh/year Wind: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 35% = 3,066 MWh/year Solar: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 25% = 2,190 MWh/year

Example: 5 MW wind turbine produces ~15,330 MWh/year (~1,700 homes)

How big is a 1 MW solar farm?

Solar panel efficiency: ~400W per panel (modern, 2024) Panels needed: 1,000,000 W ÷ 400 W = 2,500 panels

Land area:

  • Fixed tilt: 4-5 acres per MW
  • Single-axis tracking: 6-8 acres per MW
  • Dual-axis tracking: 8-10 acres per MW

1 MW solar farm typical specs:

  • Panels: 2,500-3,000 (400W each)
  • Land: 5-7 acres
  • Annual production: 1,500-2,500 MWh (depending on location)
  • Homes powered: ~150-250 homes

Scaling: 100 MW solar farm = 500-700 acres (varies by location, technology)

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.

Conversion Table: Megawatt to Kilowatt

Megawatt (MW)Kilowatt (kW)
0.5500
11,000
1.51,500
22,000
55,000
1010,000
2525,000
5050,000
100100,000
250250,000
500500,000
1,0001,000,000

People Also Ask

How do I convert Megawatt to Kilowatt?

To convert Megawatt to Kilowatt, enter the value in Megawatt 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 Megawatt to Kilowatt?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Megawatt and Kilowatt. 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 Kilowatt back to Megawatt?

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

Learn more →

What are common uses for Megawatt and Kilowatt?

Megawatt and Kilowatt 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.

🔢 Conversion Formulas

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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