1 calorie equals 0.001 kilocalorie.
A calorie is a smaller unit of energy compared to a kilocalorie. Since 1 kilocalorie equals 1000 calories, converting calories to kilocalories involves dividing the calorie value by 1000. So, 1 calorie is just one-thousandth of a kilocalorie.
Conversion Tool
Result in kilocalorie:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert calorie to kilocalorie is simple: divide the number of calories by 1000. This works because 1 kilocalorie equals exactly 1000 calories. So, to find kilocalories from calories, you take the calorie value and split it into units of 1000.
Mathematically:
kilocalorie = calorie ÷ 1000
For example, if you have 1 calorie:
- kilocalorie = 1 ÷ 1000 = 0.001 kilocalorie
Conversion Example
- Convert 250 calories to kilocalories:
- Step 1: Write the formula: kilocalorie = calorie ÷ 1000
- Step 2: Substitute 250 for calorie: kilocalorie = 250 ÷ 1000
- Step 3: Calculate: 250 ÷ 1000 = 0.25 kilocalorie
- Convert 500 calories to kilocalories:
- Step 1: kilocalorie = calorie ÷ 1000
- Step 2: kilocalorie = 500 ÷ 1000
- Step 3: Result: 0.5 kilocalorie
- Convert 1234 calories to kilocalories:
- Step 1: kilocalorie = calorie ÷ 1000
- Step 2: kilocalorie = 1234 ÷ 1000
- Step 3: Result: 1.234 kilocalorie
- Convert 0 calories to kilocalories:
- Step 1: kilocalorie = 0 ÷ 1000
- Step 2: Result: 0 kilocalorie
Conversion Chart
This chart lists calorie values from -24.0 to 26.0 and their equivalent kilocalorie values. You can use it to quickly see how many kilocalories correspond to any calorie value within this range by dividing the calorie number by 1000.
| Calorie | Kilocalorie |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -0.024 |
| -20.0 | -0.020 |
| -16.0 | -0.016 |
| -12.0 | -0.012 |
| -8.0 | -0.008 |
| -4.0 | -0.004 |
| 0.0 | 0.000 |
| 4.0 | 0.004 |
| 8.0 | 0.008 |
| 12.0 | 0.012 |
| 16.0 | 0.016 |
| 20.0 | 0.020 |
| 24.0 | 0.024 |
| 26.0 | 0.026 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How many kilocalories are in 1 calorie?
- What is the formula to change 1 calorie into kilocalorie?
- Is 1 calorie equal to 0.001 kilocalorie?
- How do I convert 1 calorie to kilocalorie on a calculator?
- Why is 1 calorie so small compared to a kilocalorie?
- Can 1 calorie be expressed as a fraction of a kilocalorie?
- What does 1 calorie equal in terms of kilocalories?
Conversion Definitions
Calorie: A calorie is a unit measuring energy, mostly used in food energy to describe how much energy foods provide. Scientifically, it is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius at standard pressure. It’s smaller than a kilocalorie.
Kilocalorie: A kilocalorie is a larger energy unit, equal to 1000 calories. It is commonly used in nutrition to express the energy content in food. One kilocalorie raises 1 kilogram of water temperature by 1 degree Celsius. It’s sometimes called the “Calorie” with capital C.
Conversion FAQs
Why does 1 calorie equal 0.001 kilocalorie?
Because 1 kilocalorie contains 1000 calories, so dividing 1 calorie by 1000 gives 0.001 kilocalorie. This is a direct scaling down since kilocalorie is a bigger unit, making 1 calorie a small fraction of it.
Can calories be negative when converting to kilocalories?
Yes, if you have a negative calorie value, it will convert to a negative kilocalorie by dividing by 1000. Negative values could represent energy loss, for example, in some scientific contexts.
Is the conversion always dividing by 1000 accurate?
Yes, the conversion factor between calorie and kilocalorie is exact and constant. This means, no matter the calorie amount, dividing by 1000 will give the correct kilocalorie value.
How do I convert kilocalorie back to calorie?
To convert kilocalories to calories, multiply the kilocalorie value by 1000. This reverses the division used in the forward conversion, restoring the original calorie amount.
Why is kilocalorie sometimes written as “Calorie” with a capital C?
In food labeling, kilocalorie is often called a “Calorie” with a capital C to differentiate it from the small calorie unit. This usage simplifies communication but can cause confusion if not clarified.