Quick Answer: BTU to Kilowatt-hours
One BTU is approximately 0.0002931 kilowatt-hours (1 BTU ≈ 0.0002931 kWh).
Conversely, 1 kWh ≈ 3,412.14 BTU.
Formula: kWh = BTU ÷ 3,412.1416
Worked examples
- 1000 BTU ≈ 0.2931 kWh
- 3412 BTU ≈ 1 kWh
- 5000 BTU ≈ 1.465 kWh
Method and limitations
BTU and kWh are both units of energy, so this is a fixed factor. One International Table BTU is 1,055.05585262 J and one kWh is 3,600,000 J, so 1 kWh = 3,412.1416 BTU and kWh = BTU ÷ 3,412.1416. Calculations use full-precision constants; answers in this box are rounded for readability (≈ marks a rounded value) and the calculator shows up to 9 significant figures. BTU here is the International Table BTU (1,055.05585262 J). BTU is an amount of energy; equipment labels that say "BTU" usually mean BTU per hour, which is power.
Each factor is exact by definition, derived from exact definitions, or a documented conventional value — see the methodology and sources.
Conversion Formula
BTU and kWh are both units of energy, so this is a fixed factor. One International Table BTU is 1,055.05585262 J and one kWh is 3,600,000 J, so 1 kWh = 3,412.1416 BTU and kWh = BTU ÷ 3,412.1416.
BTU energy, BTU/h power, fuel and delivered heat
This page converts BTU as an amount of energy. If your figure is an equipment capacity such as "12,000 BTU", it is almost certainly BTU per hour — power — and belongs on the BTU/h to watts converter.
A fuel quantity in BTU converts to fuel energy in kWh. The heat delivered to your rooms is that figure multiplied by the appliance's efficiency. Illustrative example: 100,000 BTU of gas is 29.31 kWh of fuel energy; at an assumed 90 % boiler efficiency that is 26.38 kWh of heat, which a heat pump with an assumed SCOP of 3 would supply from about 8.79 kWh of electricity. Use your own efficiency and SCOP — these are not typical values.
Run the comparison with your prices in the heat pump savings calculator, or read the Heat Pumps guide.
Constants and their sources are listed on the methodology page.
Complete Guide to BTU to Kilowatt-hours Conversion
What is a BTU?
The British thermal unit (BTU) is a unit of energy, originally the heat that raises one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. This page uses the International Table BTU, fixed at 1,055.05585262 joules.
What is a kilowatt-hour?
The kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 3,600,000 joules: one kilowatt sustained for one hour. It is the unit of electricity bills and of most European gas bills after volume conversion.
How the Conversion Works
Divide BTU by 3,412.1416. The factor is derived from two exact definitions (the IT BTU in joules and the kWh in joules), so no rounding is introduced beyond display precision.
Why This Conversion Matters
Heating decisions compare fuels billed in different units. Expressing every quantity in kWh is the first step; efficiency and price are separate inputs that must come from your own appliance and tariff.
Scientific Context
BTU (energy) and BTU/h (power) differ by a factor of time. Fuel input energy and useful delivered heat differ by appliance efficiency. Keeping these two distinctions separate avoids the most common heating-comparison errors.
Step-by-Step Conversion Guide
Follow these steps to convert btu to kilowatt-hours manually:
Start with your value in btu
Example: You want to convert 5000 BTU
Apply the conversion formula
Use the formula: kWh = BTU ÷ 3,412.1416
Calculate the result
5000 BTU = 1.4654 kWh
Verify your answer
Use our calculator above to double-check your manual calculation.
Quick Mental Math Tip
Each 10,000 BTU is about 2.93 kWh, and 100,000 BTU (one US therm) is 29.31 kWh. For 50,000 BTU: 5 × 2.93 ≈ 14.65 kWh (exact: 14.6536).
Common Conversions
| BTU (BTU) | Kilowatt-hours (kWh) | Kilowatt-hours → BTU |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 BTU | 0.293071 | 1000 kWh = 3,412,140 BTU |
| 3412 BTU | 0.999958 | 3412 kWh = 11,642,200 BTU |
| 5000 BTU | 1.46536 | 5000 kWh = 17,060,700 BTU |
| 9000 BTU | 2.63764 | 9000 kWh = 30,709,300 BTU |
| 12000 BTU | 3.51685 | 12000 kWh = 40,945,700 BTU |
| 18000 BTU | 5.27528 | 18000 kWh = 61,418,500 BTU |
| 24000 BTU | 7.03371 | 24000 kWh = 81,891,400 BTU |
| 36000 BTU | 10.5506 | 36000 kWh = 122,837,000 BTU |
| 60000 BTU | 17.5843 | 60000 kWh = 204,728,000 BTU |
| 100000 BTU | 29.3071 | 100000 kWh = 341,214,000 BTU |
When You'll Need This Conversion
Gas and oil quantities
Put a fuel quantity quoted in BTU, MMBtu or therms on the same kWh scale as an electricity bill.
Comparing heating options
Turn a BTU heating figure into kWh before applying boiler efficiency or heat pump SCOP.
Energy data in BTU
Translate US energy statistics published in BTU, MMBtu or quads into kWh.
Pro Tips for Accurate Conversions
Check for a hidden "per hour"
If the figure is an equipment capacity, it is BTU/h (power). This page is for BTU amounts (energy).
Know whether it is fuel or heat
Fuel input × efficiency = useful heat. The conversion factor itself does not change either figure.
1 MMBtu = 293.071 kWh
Gas wholesale and US statistics often use MMBtu (one million BTU).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Treating BTU/h ratings as BTU energy
A 12,000 BTU/h unit delivers 12,000 BTU only in one hour of full-output operation.
Energy (BTU) = rating (BTU/h) × hours at that output.
Treating fuel energy as delivered heat
Combustion appliances lose part of the fuel energy; heat pumps deliver more heat than the electricity they use.
Apply your appliance's own efficiency or SCOP after converting.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Conversion factors on this page are either exact by definition, derived from exact definitions, or conventional values in documented use. Each is listed with its source in our conversion methodology and sources, which cites the BIPM SI Brochure, NIST Special Publication 811 and the relevant IEC or national standards. Results are rounded for display only; calculations use full precision.