How to convert kilocalories (kcal) to calories (cal).
Small & large calories
Small calorie (cal) is the energy needed to increase 1 gram of water by 1°C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere.
Large calorie (Cal) is the energy needed to increase 1 kg of water by 1°C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere.
Large calorie is also called food calorie and is used as a unit of food energy.
kcal to Cal - small kilocalories to large calories
One large food calorie is equal to 1 small kcal:
1 Cal = 1 kcal
The energy in large calories (Cal) is equal to the energy in small kilocalories (kcal):
E(Cal) = E(kcal)
Example
Convert 6 kcal to large calories:
E(Cal) = 6 kcal = 6 Cal
kcal to cal - small kilocalories to small calories
1 kcal = 1000 cal
The energy in small calories (cal) is equal to 1000 times the energy in small kilocalories (kcal):
E(cal) = 1000 × E(kcal)
Example
Convert 6 kcal to small calories:
E(cal) = 1000 × 6kcal = 6000 cal