Work Converter
Work is the energy transferred when a force moves an object, and it is one of the most fundamental concepts in physics and engineering. Work equals force multiplied by distance (in the direction of motion): pushing with 10 newtons over 5 metres accomplishes 50 joules of work. Work and energy are so closely related that they share identical SI units: the joule. The joule is defined as the work done by one newton of force over one metre of distance. Larger work quantities use kilojoules (kJ), megajoules (MJ), or gigajoules (GJ). When electrical energy is involved, work is often expressed in watt-hours (Wh) or kilowatt-hours (kWh), representing the energy consumed over time. Older units like calories, kilocalories, BTUs, and foot-pounds persist in legacy systems and various industries. Understanding work conversions is essential in physics, engineering, thermodynamics, and energy analysis. Lifting a 100-kilogram weight 1 metre requires approximately 980 joules of work. This calculator displays ten units for converting work values, using identical factors to energy conversions because work and energy are interchangeable concepts.
NIST conversion factors
Work and energy share the same SI unit and conversion factors. All units are expressed relative to the joule.
| Unit | Symbol | Joules |
|---|---|---|
| Joule | J | 1 |
| Kilojoule | kJ | 1,000 |
| Megajoule | MJ | 1,000,000 |
| Gigajoule | GJ | 1,000,000,000 |
| Watt-hour | Wh | 3,600 |
| Kilowatt-hour | kWh | 3,600,000 |
| Calorie | cal | 4.184 |
| Kilocalorie | kcal | 4,184 |
| BTU | BTU | 1,055.056 |
| Foot-pound force | ft.lbf | 1.355818 |
Work converter: frequently asked questions
What is work in physics?
Work is the energy transferred when a force moves an object. It equals force multiplied by distance (in the direction of the force). If you push with 10 newtons over 5 metres, you do 50 joules of work. Work and energy share the same SI unit: the joule.
What is the relationship between work and energy?
Work and energy are closely related. Doing work on an object increases its energy. Energy is the capacity to do work. Work is the process of transferring energy. Both are measured in joules. This is why they use identical units and this converter handles both.
How is work different from power?
Work is the energy transferred (measured in joules). Power is the rate at which work is done (measured in watts, or joules per second). If you do 100 joules of work in 10 seconds, that is 10 watts of power.
What are practical examples of work?
Lifting a 10-kilogram weight 1 metre straight up requires about 98 joules of work (10 kg times 9.8 m/s² times 1 m). Running a 100-watt light bulb for one hour does 360,000 joules of work (100 W times 3,600 s). Climbing stairs, moving boxes, and accelerating vehicles all require doing work.
How precise are these conversions?
Work and energy use identical conversion factors. All conversions are NIST-defined and mathematically precise to two decimal places.
Official sources
- NIST Handbook 44: Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices.
- NIST Special Publication 330: The International System of Units.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.