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Specific Heat Capacity Converter

Convert specific heat capacity between J/(kg·K), kJ/(kg·K), J/(g·°C), cal/(g·°C), kcal/(kg·°C) and BTU/(lb·°F).

What this tool does

Convert specific heat capacity between J/(kg·K), kJ/(kg·K), J/(g·°C), cal/(g·°C), kcal/(kg·°C) and BTU/(lb·°F). Type an amount in joules per kilogram kelvin, choose the units, and the tool converts it to calories (thermochemical) per gram degree Celsius. It offers 12 specific heat capacity units and also shows the same amount in the others.

Inputs

  • Value: A number.
  • From: Choose one from 12 options, including Joule per kilogram kelvin, Joule per kilogram degree Celsius, Kilojoule per kilogram kelvin, Kilojoule per kilogram degree Celsius, Joule per gram kelvin, Joule per gram degree Celsius. Starts as Joule per kilogram kelvin.
  • To: Choose one of the same 12 units as "From". Starts as Calorie (thermochemical) per gram degree Celsius.

How to use

  1. Enter the amount you want to convert.
  2. Choose the unit to convert from and the unit to convert to.
  3. Read the result: the converted amount and the same amount in the other units. It appears once every required field has a valid value.

Worked examples

Conversions from joules per kilogram kelvin to calories (thermochemical) per gram degree Celsius:

  • 1 J/(kg·K) ≈ 0.000239006 cal (th)/(g·°C)
  • 5 J/(kg·K) ≈ 0.00119503 cal (th)/(g·°C)
  • 10 J/(kg·K) ≈ 0.00239006 cal (th)/(g·°C)
  • 50 J/(kg·K) ≈ 0.0119503 cal (th)/(g·°C)
  • 100 J/(kg·K) ≈ 0.0239006 cal (th)/(g·°C)

Multiply the number of joules per kilogram kelvin by about 0.000239006 to get calories (thermochemical) per gram degree Celsius. The factor follows from exact definitions. It has more digits than fit here, so it is shown rounded.

Sources: Joule per kilogram kelvin: SI Brochure, 9th edition (2019). Calorie (thermochemical) per gram degree Celsius: NIST SP 811 (2008), Appendix B.9.

Limitations

  • Converts the unit of a specific heat capacity only. It does not look up the specific heat of a material or work out the heat needed to warm something.
  • Covers heat capacity per unit mass. Molar heat capacity (per mole) and volumetric heat capacity (per unit volume) are different quantities and are not offered.
  • Calorie and BTU each come in a thermochemical and an International Table version. Check which one your source uses.

FAQs

Q: How many J/(kg·K) is one cal/(g·°C)?
A: One thermochemical calorie per gram degree Celsius is exactly 4,184 J/(kg·K). One International Table calorie per gram degree Celsius is exactly 4,186.8 J/(kg·K).
Q: Is J/(kg·K) the same as J/(kg·°C)?
A: Yes. Specific heat capacity uses a temperature difference, and a difference of one kelvin is the same size as a difference of one degree Celsius, so the two units give the same number.
Q: Why are BTU/(lb·°F) and cal/(g·°C) the same number?
A: One BTU per pound degree Fahrenheit equals one calorie per gram degree Celsius when both use the same definition (both International Table, or both thermochemical). The International Table BTU per pound degree Fahrenheit is exactly 4,186.8 J/(kg·K).
Q: Which calorie and BTU are used?
A: Both are offered and labeled. The thermochemical calorie is 4.184 J and the International Table calorie is 4.1868 J. The two differ by about 0.07 percent.

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