Why does voltage matter?

Power is current times voltage. The same 2 kW load draws roughly half the current at 230 V that it draws at 120 V, which is why circuit ratings differ between regions.

Can I plug a 3,000 W appliance into a normal socket?

At 230 V that is 13 A — the absolute limit of a standard 13 A UK plug and above the 10 A rating of some European sockets. Check the circuit and plug rating first.

What about three-phase power?

For three-phase, current = power ÷ (√3 × line voltage × power factor). At 400 V three-phase, 11 kW draws about 16 A per phase.

What is power factor and when does it matter?

For motors and inductive loads, real power is lower than apparent power. Divide by the power factor (typically 0.8–0.95) to get the true current draw.

Watts to Amps Converter | W to A Calculator (230V)

Conversion Formula

A = W ÷ 230 V

Current equals power divided by voltage (I = P ÷ V). Because the answer depends on supply voltage, enter it in the calculator — 230 V single-phase for Europe (IEC 60038), 120 V for a standard North American circuit, or your actual DC voltage. Every formula, table and example on this page follows the voltage you select.

This formula uses the supply voltage currently set in the calculator (230 V). Change it above and this formula updates with it — the relationship is not a fixed unit pair.

Complete Guide to Watts to Amps Conversion

What is a Watts?

The watt (W) is the SI unit of power — the rate of energy transfer, equal to one joule per second. Appliance nameplates, solar panels and chargers are all rated in watts or kilowatts.

What is a Amps?

The ampere (A) is the SI base unit of electric current, measuring the flow of charge. Circuit breakers, cables, plugs and EV chargers are all rated in amps because current determines heating in the conductor.

How the Conversion Works

Ohm's power law states that power equals voltage multiplied by current. Rearranged, current equals power divided by voltage. This calculator uses 230 V, the harmonised single-phase supply voltage across Europe. For a US 120 V circuit, or a 12 V DC system, substitute that voltage instead.

Why This Conversion Matters

Cables and breakers are sized by current, not power. Every question about whether a circuit can run an appliance — an oven, a heat pump, a home EV charger — is really a question about amps. Getting this conversion wrong is how circuits overheat and breakers trip.

Scientific Context

For alternating current with inductive loads, real power (W) is apparent power (VA) multiplied by the power factor. Motors, compressors and older fluorescent lighting typically have a power factor of 0.8 to 0.95, so their actual current draw exceeds the simple W ÷ V result.

Step-by-Step Conversion Guide

Follow these steps to convert watts to amps manually:

Start with your value in watts

Example: You want to convert 1000 W

Apply the conversion formula

Use the formula: A = W ÷ 230 V

Calculate the result

1000 W = 4.3478 A

✓

Verify your answer

Use our calculator above to double-check your manual calculation.

Quick Mental Math Tip

Common Conversions

Calculated at 230 V (supply voltage). Change the value in the calculator above and this table recalculates.

Watts to Amps conversion table at 230 V
Watts (W)	Amps (A)	Amps → Watts
100	0.4348	100 A = 23000 W
500	2.1739	500 A = 115000 W
1000	4.3478	1000 A = 230000 W
1500	6.5217	1500 A = 345000 W
2000	8.6957	2000 A = 460000 W
2200	9.5652	2200 A = 506000 W
3000	13.0435	3000 A = 690000 W
3680	16	3680 A = 846400 W
7400	32.1739	7400 A = 1702000 W
11000	47.8261	11000 A = 2530000 W

When You'll Need This Conversion

Circuit and cable sizing

Check that appliance current stays within breaker and conductor ratings.

EV charger installation

A 7.4 kW charger needs 32 A at 230 V — the number that determines the whole installation.

Workshop and site power

Verify that tools and machines fit the available supply before plugging in.

Camping and marine hookups

Shore power is sold in amps (typically 6 A, 10 A or 16 A) while appliances are labelled in watts.

Pro Tips for Accurate Conversions

Apply the 80% continuous rule

Anything running for more than three hours should stay below 80% of the breaker rating.

Know your voltage

230 V in Europe, 120 V in North America, 100 V in Japan. The same appliance draws very different current.

Divide by power factor for motors

A 2 kW motor at 0.85 power factor draws about 10.2 A, not 8.7 A.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using 240 V or 120 V without checking

Regional voltage differences change the answer by a factor of two.

Confirm the nominal supply voltage before sizing anything.

Ignoring inrush current

Motors and compressors draw several times their running current at startup.

Select breaker curves (type C or D) that tolerate startup surges.

Loading a breaker to its exact rating

Breakers are thermal devices and will trip near their limit under sustained load.

Design continuous loads to 80% of the rating.

History & Background

The ampere is one of the seven SI base units, named after André-Marie Ampère. Europe's harmonisation on 230 V in the 1990s finally gave the continent one number for these calculations.