What is kcal?

What is a kcal unit?

kcal definition

kcal is the symbol of kilocalorie.

Two kilocalorie is equal to 2000 calories.

Small calorie (cal) is the energy required to increase 1 gram of water by 1°C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere.

Large calorie (Cal) is the energy required to increase 1 kg of water by 1°C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere.

The Large calorie is also called food calorie and is used as a unit of food energy.

There are several definitions of calorie according to temperature.

Two kilocalorie is equal to 2000 small calories:

2 kcal = 2000 cal

One kilocalorie is equal to 1 large/food calorie:

2 kcal = 2 Cal

There are several definitions of calorie:

2 kcal_th = 4.184 kJ

So energy in kilojoules E_(kJ) is equal to 4.184 times the energy in thermochecmical / food kilocalories E_(kcal):

E_(kJ) = 4.184 × E_(kcal-th)

2 kcal_IT = 4.1868 kJ

The energy in kilojoules E_(kJ) is equal to 4.1868 times the energy in international kilocalories E_(kcal-IT):

E_(kJ) = 4.1868 × E_(kcal-IT)

2 kcal₁₅ = 4.1855 kJ

The energy in kilojoules E_(kJ) is equal to 4.1855 times the energy in 15°C kilocalories E_(kcal15):

E_(kJ) = 4.1855 × E_(kcal15)

2 cal₂₀ = 4.182 kJ

The energy in kilojoules E_(kJ) is equal to 4.182 times the energy in 20°C kilocalories E_(kcal20):

E_(kJ) = 4.182 × E_(kcal20)