UnitConSpecific Heat Capacity
Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a unit mass by one degree. Water has an especially high value, which affects cooling systems, weather, and climate. This converter helps compare SI, imperial, and laboratory heat-capacity units. It is useful in engineering, chemistry, and earth science.
Common conversions
| From | To |
|---|---|
| 1 BTU per Pound·°F | 4.1868 Kilojoule per Kilogram·Kelvin |
| 4186 Joule per Kilogram·Kelvin | 0.9998089 BTU per Pound·°F |
| 1000 Joule per Kilogram·Kelvin | 0.2390057 Calorie per Gram·°C |
| 1 Calorie per Gram·°C | 4,184 Joule per Kilogram·Kelvin |
| 1 Kilojoule per Kilogram·Kelvin | 0.2388459 BTU per Pound·°F |
Frequently asked questions
It is the heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass by one degree. Materials with higher values warm up more slowly for the same energy input.
Water's molecular structure allows it to absorb a lot of energy before its temperature changes much. That property makes it useful as a coolant and important in climate moderation.
Water is close to 1 BTU/(lb·°F) by definition-based convention. That makes it a common comparison point in US engineering work.
Materials with high specific heat store and release heat more gradually. Oceans therefore reduce temperature swings in many coastal regions.