kW to kVA & kVA to kW Calculator
Calculate Smarter. Work Faster.
Convert kW to kVA or kVA to kW instantly using power factor. Enter the value and PF — used for generator, transformer and UPS sizing.
Power Conversion Details
Choose the conversion direction and enter your known value and power factor.
Converted using your power factor
Power Triangle: kW, kVA, kVAR & Power Factor
Quick answer: kW = kVA × PF and kVA = kW ÷ PF. Example: 125 kVA × 0.8 = 100 kW; 100 kW ÷ 0.8 = 125 kVA.
- kW (real power, P): the base of the triangle — power that does useful work.
- kVAR (reactive power, Q): the vertical side — drawn by motors, transformers and ballasts; does no useful work.
- kVA (apparent power, S): the hypotenuse — total power the supply must deliver: kVA = √(kW² + kVAR²).
- Power factor (PF = cos φ): kW ÷ kVA, between 0 and 1. Closer to 1 = less reactive power, smaller kVA for the same kW.
| Quantity | Symbol | Unit | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real (active) power | P | kW | Power doing useful work — heat, light, motion |
| Reactive power | Q | kVAR | Power for magnetic fields of motors and transformers — no useful work |
| Apparent power | S | kVA | Total power the supply, cable and generator must carry |
| Power factor | PF = cos φ | — | Share of kVA that becomes kW (0 to 1) |
kW to kVA & kVA to kW Formula
kVA to kW Conversion
kW = kVA × PF- Example: 80 kVA × 0.8 = 64 kW.
- Example: 8 kVA × 0.8 = 6.4 kW.
kW to kVA Conversion
kVA = kW ÷ PF- Example: 22 kW ÷ 0.8 = 27.5 kVA.
- Example: 40 kW ÷ 0.8 = 50 kVA.
How to Use the Calculator
- Choose direction: kVA to kW or kW to kVA.
- Enter the known value (kVA or kW).
- Enter power factor — nameplate or measured value; 0.8 if unknown.
- Click Calculate to see the result and the worked formula.
kW to kVA at Different Power Factors
Same 100 kW load — lower PF needs more kVA capacity:
| Power Factor | Equivalent kVA for 100 kW Load |
|---|---|
| 1.00 (unity) | 100.0 kVA |
| 0.95 | 105.3 kVA |
| 0.90 | 111.1 kVA |
| 0.80 | 125.0 kVA |
| 0.70 | 142.9 kVA |
| 0.60 | 166.7 kVA |
Common Power Factor Values by Load Type
Use a realistic PF for your load instead of a blanket 0.8:
| Load Type | Typical PF (uncorrected) |
|---|---|
| Incandescent/resistive heating | 0.95 – 1.0 |
| LED lighting (with driver) | 0.9 – 0.95 |
| Induction motors (loaded) | 0.8 – 0.88 |
| Induction motors (lightly loaded) | 0.5 – 0.7 |
| Welding equipment | 0.4 – 0.6 |
| Diesel generator (typical rating basis) | 0.8 |
kVA to kW for Single-Phase and Three-Phase
- kW ↔ kVA is the same for both: kW = kVA × PF. Phase does not change this ratio.
- Phase matters only from voltage and current:
- Example: 3-phase, 415 V, 100 A → kVA = 1.732 × 415 × 100 ÷ 1000 ≈ 71.9 kVA → at 0.8 PF ≈ 57.5 kW.
- For current conversions use the kVA to current calculator or kW to current calculator.
kW to kVA & kVA to kW Conversion Tables
kW to kVA Quick Reference Table (1-100 kW)
At 0.8 PF (kVA = kW ÷ 0.8).
| kW | kVA (at 0.8 PF) |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1.25 kVA |
| 2 kW | 2.50 kVA |
| 3 kW | 3.75 kVA |
| 4 kW | 5.00 kVA |
| 5 kW | 6.25 kVA |
| 6 kW | 7.50 kVA |
| 7 kW | 8.75 kVA |
| 8 kW | 10.00 kVA |
| 9 kW | 11.25 kVA |
| 10 kW | 12.50 kVA |
| 11 kW | 13.75 kVA |
| 12 kW | 15.00 kVA |
| 13 kW | 16.25 kVA |
| 14 kW | 17.50 kVA |
| 15 kW | 18.75 kVA |
| 16 kW | 20.00 kVA |
| 17 kW | 21.25 kVA |
| 18 kW | 22.50 kVA |
| 19 kW | 23.75 kVA |
| 20 kW | 25.00 kVA |
| 21 kW | 26.25 kVA |
| 22 kW | 27.50 kVA |
| 23 kW | 28.75 kVA |
| 24 kW | 30.00 kVA |
| 25 kW | 31.25 kVA |
| 26 kW | 32.50 kVA |
| 27 kW | 33.75 kVA |
| 28 kW | 35.00 kVA |
| 29 kW | 36.25 kVA |
| 30 kW | 37.50 kVA |
| 31 kW | 38.75 kVA |
| 32 kW | 40.00 kVA |
| 33 kW | 41.25 kVA |
| 34 kW | 42.50 kVA |
| 35 kW | 43.75 kVA |
| 36 kW | 45.00 kVA |
| 37 kW | 46.25 kVA |
| 38 kW | 47.50 kVA |
| 39 kW | 48.75 kVA |
| 40 kW | 50.00 kVA |
| 41 kW | 51.25 kVA |
| 42 kW | 52.50 kVA |
| 43 kW | 53.75 kVA |
| 44 kW | 55.00 kVA |
| 45 kW | 56.25 kVA |
| 46 kW | 57.50 kVA |
| 47 kW | 58.75 kVA |
| 48 kW | 60.00 kVA |
| 49 kW | 61.25 kVA |
| 50 kW | 62.50 kVA |
| 51 kW | 63.75 kVA |
| 52 kW | 65.00 kVA |
| 53 kW | 66.25 kVA |
| 54 kW | 67.50 kVA |
| 55 kW | 68.75 kVA |
| 56 kW | 70.00 kVA |
| 57 kW | 71.25 kVA |
| 58 kW | 72.50 kVA |
| 59 kW | 73.75 kVA |
| 60 kW | 75.00 kVA |
| 61 kW | 76.25 kVA |
| 62 kW | 77.50 kVA |
| 63 kW | 78.75 kVA |
| 64 kW | 80.00 kVA |
| 65 kW | 81.25 kVA |
| 66 kW | 82.50 kVA |
| 67 kW | 83.75 kVA |
| 68 kW | 85.00 kVA |
| 69 kW | 86.25 kVA |
| 70 kW | 87.50 kVA |
| 71 kW | 88.75 kVA |
| 72 kW | 90.00 kVA |
| 73 kW | 91.25 kVA |
| 74 kW | 92.50 kVA |
| 75 kW | 93.75 kVA |
| 76 kW | 95.00 kVA |
| 77 kW | 96.25 kVA |
| 78 kW | 97.50 kVA |
| 79 kW | 98.75 kVA |
| 80 kW | 100.00 kVA |
| 81 kW | 101.25 kVA |
| 82 kW | 102.50 kVA |
| 83 kW | 103.75 kVA |
| 84 kW | 105.00 kVA |
| 85 kW | 106.25 kVA |
| 86 kW | 107.50 kVA |
| 87 kW | 108.75 kVA |
| 88 kW | 110.00 kVA |
| 89 kW | 111.25 kVA |
| 90 kW | 112.50 kVA |
| 91 kW | 113.75 kVA |
| 92 kW | 115.00 kVA |
| 93 kW | 116.25 kVA |
| 94 kW | 117.50 kVA |
| 95 kW | 118.75 kVA |
| 96 kW | 120.00 kVA |
| 97 kW | 121.25 kVA |
| 98 kW | 122.50 kVA |
| 99 kW | 123.75 kVA |
| 100 kW | 125.00 kVA |
kVA to kW Quick Reference Table (1-100 kVA)
At 0.8 PF (kW = kVA × 0.8) — read a generator or UPS kVA rating straight across to kW.
| kVA | kW (at 0.8 PF) |
|---|---|
| 1 kVA | 0.80 kW |
| 2 kVA | 1.60 kW |
| 3 kVA | 2.40 kW |
| 4 kVA | 3.20 kW |
| 5 kVA | 4.00 kW |
| 6 kVA | 4.80 kW |
| 7 kVA | 5.60 kW |
| 8 kVA | 6.40 kW |
| 9 kVA | 7.20 kW |
| 10 kVA | 8.00 kW |
| 11 kVA | 8.80 kW |
| 12 kVA | 9.60 kW |
| 13 kVA | 10.40 kW |
| 14 kVA | 11.20 kW |
| 15 kVA | 12.00 kW |
| 16 kVA | 12.80 kW |
| 17 kVA | 13.60 kW |
| 18 kVA | 14.40 kW |
| 19 kVA | 15.20 kW |
| 20 kVA | 16.00 kW |
| 21 kVA | 16.80 kW |
| 22 kVA | 17.60 kW |
| 23 kVA | 18.40 kW |
| 24 kVA | 19.20 kW |
| 25 kVA | 20.00 kW |
| 26 kVA | 20.80 kW |
| 27 kVA | 21.60 kW |
| 28 kVA | 22.40 kW |
| 29 kVA | 23.20 kW |
| 30 kVA | 24.00 kW |
| 31 kVA | 24.80 kW |
| 32 kVA | 25.60 kW |
| 33 kVA | 26.40 kW |
| 34 kVA | 27.20 kW |
| 35 kVA | 28.00 kW |
| 36 kVA | 28.80 kW |
| 37 kVA | 29.60 kW |
| 38 kVA | 30.40 kW |
| 39 kVA | 31.20 kW |
| 40 kVA | 32.00 kW |
| 41 kVA | 32.80 kW |
| 42 kVA | 33.60 kW |
| 43 kVA | 34.40 kW |
| 44 kVA | 35.20 kW |
| 45 kVA | 36.00 kW |
| 46 kVA | 36.80 kW |
| 47 kVA | 37.60 kW |
| 48 kVA | 38.40 kW |
| 49 kVA | 39.20 kW |
| 50 kVA | 40.00 kW |
| 51 kVA | 40.80 kW |
| 52 kVA | 41.60 kW |
| 53 kVA | 42.40 kW |
| 54 kVA | 43.20 kW |
| 55 kVA | 44.00 kW |
| 56 kVA | 44.80 kW |
| 57 kVA | 45.60 kW |
| 58 kVA | 46.40 kW |
| 59 kVA | 47.20 kW |
| 60 kVA | 48.00 kW |
| 61 kVA | 48.80 kW |
| 62 kVA | 49.60 kW |
| 63 kVA | 50.40 kW |
| 64 kVA | 51.20 kW |
| 65 kVA | 52.00 kW |
| 66 kVA | 52.80 kW |
| 67 kVA | 53.60 kW |
| 68 kVA | 54.40 kW |
| 69 kVA | 55.20 kW |
| 70 kVA | 56.00 kW |
| 71 kVA | 56.80 kW |
| 72 kVA | 57.60 kW |
| 73 kVA | 58.40 kW |
| 74 kVA | 59.20 kW |
| 75 kVA | 60.00 kW |
| 76 kVA | 60.80 kW |
| 77 kVA | 61.60 kW |
| 78 kVA | 62.40 kW |
| 79 kVA | 63.20 kW |
| 80 kVA | 64.00 kW |
| 81 kVA | 64.80 kW |
| 82 kVA | 65.60 kW |
| 83 kVA | 66.40 kW |
| 84 kVA | 67.20 kW |
| 85 kVA | 68.00 kW |
| 86 kVA | 68.80 kW |
| 87 kVA | 69.60 kW |
| 88 kVA | 70.40 kW |
| 89 kVA | 71.20 kW |
| 90 kVA | 72.00 kW |
| 91 kVA | 72.80 kW |
| 92 kVA | 73.60 kW |
| 93 kVA | 74.40 kW |
| 94 kVA | 75.20 kW |
| 95 kVA | 76.00 kW |
| 96 kVA | 76.80 kW |
| 97 kVA | 77.60 kW |
| 98 kVA | 78.40 kW |
| 99 kVA | 79.20 kW |
| 100 kVA | 80.00 kW |
Generator & Transformer kVA to kW
- Generators (DG sets) are rated in kVA; usable kW is normally quoted at 0.8 PF.
- Transformers and UPS are rated in kVA because heating depends on current, not PF.
- Never treat a kVA rating as kW — a 125 kVA DG gives about 100 kW, not 125 kW.
Common kVA Ratings in kW
| kVA Rating | kW at 0.8 PF | kW at 0.9 PF |
|---|---|---|
| 125 kVA | 100 kW | 112.5 kW |
| 150 kVA | 120 kW | 135 kW |
| 200 kVA | 160 kW | 180 kW |
| 250 kVA | 200 kW | 225 kW |
| 300 kVA | 240 kW | 270 kW |
| 450 kVA | 360 kW | 405 kW |
| 500 kVA | 400 kW | 450 kW |
| 630 kVA | 504 kW | 567 kW |
| 1000 kVA | 800 kW | 900 kW |
| 1500 kVA | 1200 kW | 1350 kW |
| 2000 kVA | 1600 kW | 1800 kW |
Generator Sizing Example
- Load: 80 kW mixed load at PF 0.85.
- kVA = 80 ÷ 0.85 ≈ 94.1 kVA.
- Add margin for motor starting and future load; round up to a standard size.
- Practical choice: 125 kVA DG (100 kW at 0.8 PF). Check with the DG size calculator.
Transformer Sizing Example
- Load: 315 kW at PF 0.9 → kVA = 315 ÷ 0.9 = 350 kVA.
- Same load at PF 0.75 → kVA = 315 ÷ 0.75 = 420 kVA — a full size class higher.
- Lesson: correcting PF with an APFC capacitor bank is often cheaper than a bigger transformer. See the transformer size calculator.
Industrial Applications
- UPS / data centre: kVA = IT load kW ÷ PF (often 0.9–0.95).
- Utility billing: kVA demand charges drop when PF improves.
- Standby / prime DG selection: convert site kW to kVA at the real PF.
- Panel capacity: check kVA (not just kW) headroom before adding loads.
Reference: kW/kVA/PF relationships are standard IEC/IEEE electrical engineering conventions used across generator, transformer, and UPS sizing worldwide. This calculator is for preliminary, educational sizing only.
Mistakes to Avoid in kVA/kW Conversion
- Using 0.8 PF for everything. Real PF ranges from ~0.5 (lightly loaded motors) to ~1.0 (resistive/LED) — use measured or nameplate PF.
- Sizing to the bare calculated kVA. Round up for motor inrush, load growth and PF drift.
- Reading kVA as kW. 125 kVA ≠ 125 kW unless PF = 1.0.
- Buying a bigger transformer instead of correcting PF. APFC is usually cheaper.
- Not rechecking kVA after adding loads. Recalculate total kVA demand, not just kW.
kW to kVA & kVA to kW — FAQs
How do I convert kVA to kW? +
Multiply kVA by the power factor: kW = kVA × PF. For example, 125 kVA × 0.8 = 100 kW.
How do I convert kW to kVA? +
Divide kW by the power factor: kVA = kW ÷ PF. For example, 100 kW ÷ 0.8 = 125 kVA.
How many kVA is 1 kW? +
At 0.8 power factor, 1 kW = 1.25 kVA. At unity power factor (1.0), 1 kW = 1 kVA.
What is 125 kVA in kW? +
125 kVA = 100 kW at 0.8 PF, or 112.5 kW at 0.9 PF.
What is the kVA to kW formula for 3 phase? +
The conversion is the same for single and three phase: kW = kVA × PF. Phase only matters when you start from voltage and current: 3-phase kVA = √3 × V × I ÷ 1000; single-phase kVA = V × I ÷ 1000.
What is the difference between kVA and kW? +
kVA is apparent power — the total power supplied. kW is real power — the part that does useful work. The difference is reactive power (kVAR), needed by motors and transformers but doing no useful work.
What power factor should I use if I don't know it? +
0.8 lagging is the common default for mixed industrial loads and diesel generators. Check the nameplate first: heaters are near 1.0, lightly loaded motors can drop to 0.5–0.7.
Why are generators rated in kVA instead of kW? +
The alternator is limited by current, so its basic rating is kVA. Usable kW depends on load PF — manufacturers usually quote kW at 0.8 PF, so a 125 kVA generator gives about 100 kW.
Can power factor correction reduce my kVA requirement? +
Yes. APFC capacitor banks raise PF towards 1, lowering kVA for the same kW. This frees transformer and cable capacity and can cut kVA-demand charges and low-PF penalties.
What PF should I use for a mixed load? +
Use the combined PF measured at the main incoming panel (power meter or utility bill) instead of averaging individual equipment PF values.
Is kVA the same as kWh? +
No. kVA is apparent power at an instant; kWh is energy used over time. Formula: kWh = kW × hours = kVA × PF × hours. Example: a 10 kVA load at 0.8 PF running 5 hours uses 10 × 0.8 × 5 = 40 kWh. The formula assumes a constant load — for varying loads, use a kWh meter reading.