1 calorie equals 0.001 kcal

When converting 1 calorie to kcal, the result is 0.001 kcal. This means 1 calorie is a thousandth of a kcal, showing the relation between the two energy units.

The calorie (cal) and the kilocalorie (kcal) are units used to measure energy. Since 1 kcal is defined as 1,000 calories, converting involves dividing by 1,000. So, 1 cal divided by 1,000 gives 0.001 kcal, which is the energy equivalent.

Conversion Tool

Conversion Formula

The formula to convert calories to kcal is simple: kcal = calories / 1000. This works because 1 kilocalorie is equal to 1,000 calories, making the division straightforward. For example, if you have 500 calories, dividing by 1000 yields 0.5 kcal.

Mathematically, the process involves taking the number of calories and dividing it by 1,000. This ratio maintains the proportionality between the units, ensuring the conversion accurately reflects the energy measurement difference.

Conversion Example

• Convert 5 calories to kcal:
  • Step 1: Take 5 calories.
  • Step 2: Divide 5 by 1000.
  • Step 3: Result is 0.005 kcal.
• Convert 10 calories to kcal:
  • Step 1: Take 10 calories.
  • Step 2: Divide 10 by 1000.
  • Step 3: Result is 0.01 kcal.
• Convert 250 calories to kcal:
  • Step 1: Take 250 calories.
  • Step 2: Divide 250 by 1000.
  • Step 3: Result is 0.25 kcal.
• Convert 1000 calories to kcal:
  • Step 1: Take 1000 calories.
  • Step 2: Divide 1000 by 1000.
  • Step 3: Result is 1 kcal.

Conversion Chart

Use this chart to quickly find the kcal equivalent for any calorie value between -24 and 26. Read the value in the first column, then look at the corresponding kcal in the second column for instant conversion reference.

Related Conversion Questions

• How many kcal are in 1 calorie of energy?
• What is the kcal value of 0.5 calories?
• How do I convert 1 calorie to kcal manually?
• Is 1 calorie equal to 0.001 kcal or 0.01 kcal?
• What is the energy difference between 1 calorie and 1 kcal?
• Can I use the same conversion method for other energy units like joules?
• Why is there a difference between calorie and kcal in nutrition labels?

Conversion Definitions

Calorie

A calorie (cal) is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C, used mainly in physics and chemistry, but often confused with nutritional energy units, as it is a smaller measure than the kilocalorie.

Kcal

A kilocalorie (kcal) equals 1,000 calories, commonly used in food energy measurement, representing the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C, and often called a “calorie” in dietary contexts.

Conversion FAQs

How does the calorie to kcal conversion relate to nutritional information?

Since nutritional labels usually list energy in kcal, converting from calories requires dividing by 1,000. If a food item shows 200 calories, it equates to 0.2 kcal, which is often used by dieticians and health experts for precise energy assessments.

Why is the calorie sometimes called a small calorie and other times a large calorie?

The small calorie (cal) measures energy for scientific purposes, while the large calorie or kcal is used in food labeling. This distinction helps simplify larger energy values when discussing diets, but sometimes causes confusion among consumers.

Can I convert negative calorie values into kcal?

Yes, negative calories, representing energy loss or deficit, convert the same way by dividing by 1,000, resulting in negative kcal. For example, -50 cal becomes -0.05 kcal, indicating energy expended or lost.