Specific Heat Capacity Converter

About This Tool

Specific Heat Capacity Converter is an online specific heat capacity unit converter supporting mutual conversion between joule per kilogram kelvin (J/(kg·K)), kilojoule per kilogram kelvin (kJ/(kg·K)), calorie per gram degree Celsius (cal/(g·°C)), kilocalorie per kilogram degree Celsius (kcal/(kg·°C)), and BTU per pound degree Fahrenheit (BTU/(lb·°F)). Enter any value and unit to instantly view corresponding results in all other units, suitable for thermodynamics calculations, engineering thermophysics, materials science, HVAC, and chemical engineering applications.

How to Use

1. Enter a value

   Input the specific heat value you want to convert in the field, supporting integers and decimals such as 4186.8, 0.24

2. Select source unit

   Choose the specific heat unit from the dropdown list (J/(kg·K)/kJ/(kg·K)/cal/(g·°C)/kcal/(kg·°C)/BTU/(lb·°F))

3. View results

   Click the "Convert" button or press Enter to display corresponding values in all units. Each result has a copy button for convenience

Use Cases

• Thermodynamics and heat transfer calculations: In the heat equation Q = mcΔT (heat = mass × specific heat × temperature change), specific heat capacity is the core parameter. Different textbooks and engineering handbooks may use different unit systems for specific heat. Use this tool to quickly convert between units and avoid calculation errors
• Materials science and engineering selection: Specific heat capacity determines a material's ability to absorb or release heat, making it a key indicator for thermal storage and heat dissipation material selection. For example, water has a specific heat of 1 cal/(g·°C) = 4,186.8 J/(kg·K), and aluminum is about 0.215 cal/(g·°C) ≈ 900 J/(kg·K). Use this tool to quickly unify units for comparison
• HVAC and building energy efficiency: In HVAC system design, the heat capacity of media such as air and water must be calculated to determine system loads. Different countries and standards may use different specific heat units (e.g., China uses J/(kg·K), the US uses BTU/(lb·°F)). Use this tool to quickly convert between SI and imperial units

Core Advantages

1. Daily Free Quota

   We provide free usage every day, so light everyday needs can be met at zero cost — no payment required to complete specific heat capacity conversions.

2. No Install or Sign-up

   Open the web page and use it directly — no software to download, install, or account registration required.

3. Privacy & Security

   All conversions are performed locally in your browser, and your input data is never uploaded to any server, protecting your privacy 100%.

4. All Units at Once

   Enter a single value to instantly see the corresponding results in J/(kg·K), kJ/(kg·K), cal/(g·°C), kcal/(kg·°C), and BTU/(lb·°F) — no need to convert one by one.

5. Easy Copying

   Each result has a copy button on its right; click it to copy the value and paste it into documents, reports, or spreadsheets.

6. Instant Response

   Results appear instantly when you input a value or switch units, making it ideal for batch queries, engineering calculations, and teaching demonstrations.

Specific Heat Capacity Unit Conversion Relationships

The following table shows the conversion relationships between specific heat capacity units, with joule per kilogram kelvin (J/(kg·K)) as the base unit:

Unit name	Abbreviation	Conversion relationship	Equivalent J/(kg·K)
Joule per kilogram kelvin	J/(kg·K)	1 J/(kg·K)（Base unit）	1
Kilojoule per kilogram kelvin	kJ/(kg·K)	1 kJ/(kg·K) = 1,000 J/(kg·K)	1,000
Calorie per gram degree Celsius	cal/(g·°C)	1 cal/(g·°C) ≈ 4,186.8 J/(kg·K)	4,186.8
Kilocalorie per kilogram degree Celsius	kcal/(kg·°C)	1 kcal/(kg·°C) ≈ 4,186.8 J/(kg·K)	4,186.8
BTU per pound degree Fahrenheit	BTU/(lb·°F)	1 BTU/(lb·°F) ≈ 4,186.8 J/(kg·K)	4,186.8

Reference Specific Heat Values for Common Substances

The following are reference specific heat capacity values for common substances at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, for comparison:

Substance	Specific heat capacity
Hydrogen	~14,304 J/(kg·K) (3.42 cal/(g·°C))
Helium	~5,200 J/(kg·K) (1.24 cal/(g·°C))
Water	4,186.8 J/(kg·K) (1.00 cal/(g·°C))
Ethanol (alcohol)	~2,430 J/(kg·K) (0.58 cal/(g·°C))
Aluminum	~900 J/(kg·K) (0.215 cal/(g·°C))
Glass	~840 J/(kg·K) (0.20 cal/(g·°C))
Iron / Steel	~450 J/(kg·K) (0.108 cal/(g·°C))
Copper	~385 J/(kg·K) (0.092 cal/(g·°C))

Difference Between Specific Heat Capacity and Heat Capacity

Specific heat capacity (symbol c) and heat capacity (symbol C) are two related but distinct physical quantities. Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of substance by 1 K (or 1°C), measured in J/(kg·K). It is an intrinsic property of the substance, independent of mass. Heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a specific object by 1 K, measured in J/K, and is proportional to the object's mass: C = m × c (m is mass).

For example, 1 kg of water has a specific heat capacity of 4,186.8 J/(kg·K) and a heat capacity of 4,186.8 J/K; 2 kg of water still has a specific heat capacity of 4,186.8 J/(kg·K), but its heat capacity becomes 8,373.6 J/K. In engineering calculations, specific heat capacity is used for material property comparison and theoretical analysis, while heat capacity is used for heat calculations of specific equipment or systems. Additionally, cal/(g·°C), kcal/(kg·°C), and BTU/(lb·°F) are numerically equal (all representing the heat required to raise 1 unit mass of water by 1 degree), i.e., 1 cal/(g·°C) = 1 kcal/(kg·°C) = 1 BTU/(lb·°F) ≈ 4,186.8 J/(kg·K).

FAQ