Unit of Measure Conversions

Work

Work (energy) Conversions

Work is done when a force acting on an object causes it to move in the direction of the force.

(* International Table [IT] agreed values)

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Additional Units and Information

Name Symbol Value Description/Notes
British Thermal Unit BTU   The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 lb of water by 1°F
calorie cal   The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 g of water by 1°C
erg erg 1 dyne⋅centimetre The work done by a force of 1 dyne acting through a distance of 1 cm
foot⋅pound ft⋅lbf   The work done by a force of 1 pound weight acting through a distance of 1 foot
foot⋅poundal ft⋅pdl   The work done by a force of 1 poundal acting through a distance of 1 foot
joule J 1 newton⋅metre The work done by a force of 1 newton acting through a distance of 1 metre
kilocalorie kcal 1,000 calories Used for quoting the energy value of foods
watt⋅second W⋅s 1 joule;
1/3600 watt⋅hour 		 

Useful Approximations

Approximation % Accuracy
1 joule ≈ ¾ foot⋅poundforce 98.3
1 calorie ≈ 100 foot⋅poundals 99.4
1 calorie ≈ 3 foot⋅poundsforce 97.1
1 British Thermal Unit ≈ 25,000 foot⋅poundals 99.9
1 British Thermal Unit ≈ 250 calories 99.2
1 therm ≈ 30 kilowatt⋅hours 97.7
1 therm ≈ 25,000 kilocalories 99.2