# How to convert kW to amps?

Converts kW to amps and back: amps = kW × 1,000 ÷ volts.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/convert/kw-to-amps
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/convert/kw-to-amps.json
- Version: c6a0c20951a9

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Kilowatts (kW) 1, Voltage (V) 240): 1 kW = 4.166667 amps.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| value | Kilowatts (kW) | The amount in kW. |
| volts | Voltage (V) | 240 V for US large appliances, 230 V in Europe, 120 V for a US outlet. |
| result | Amps (A) | The same amount in amps. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| value | Kilowatts (kW) | The amount in kW. |
| volts | Voltage (V) | 240 V for US large appliances, 230 V in Europe, 120 V for a US outlet. |
| result | Amps (A) | The amount in amps. |

## Method

amps = kW × 1,000 ÷ volts

## Assumptions

- Exact on the typed decimals: at most 6 decimal places (6 significant digits below 0.0001), rounded half up.

## Worked examples

1. value = 1, volts = 240 gives result = 4.166667. Source: NIST SP 811 (2008), Table 3: W = V × A.
2. value = 2.3, volts = 230 gives result = 10. Source: NIST SP 811 (2008), Table 3: W = V × A.
3. value = 12, volts = 240 gives result = 50. Source: NIST SP 811 (2008), Table 3: W = V × A.

## FAQ

### How do I convert kW to amps?

Multiply the kilowatts by 1,000 to get watts, then divide by the volts: amps = kW × 1,000 ÷ volts, because 1 watt is 1 volt × 1 ampere. 12 kW at 240 V draws 50 A.

### How many amps is 1 kW?

It depends on the voltage: 4.17 A at 240 V, 4.35 A at 230 V, and 8.33 A at 120 V.

### What about three-phase power?

Divide by √3 as well: amps = kW × 1,000 ÷ (√3 × line voltage). 10 kW at 400 V three-phase is about 14.4 A per line. This page is single phase.

### What about motors and the power factor?

It is exact for heaters and other loads with a power factor of 1. For a motor, divide by the power factor too: amps = kW × 1,000 ÷ (volts × power factor).

### How many amps does a 7.2 kW car charger draw?

7,200 ÷ 240 = 30 A at 240 V. A continuous load like this usually goes on a circuit rated at 125% of it, 37.5 A, so a 40 A circuit; ask an electrician.

## Sources

- NIST SP 811 (2008), Guide for the Use of the International System of Units, Table 5 (SI prefixes) and Appendix B.8 (factors for units listed alphabetically), retrieved 2026-10-05. https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811