Kilojoule to Calorie Converter
Read an Australian food label, plan a meal or track your energy intake: switch between kilojoules and calories instantly, in both directions.
Type in either field and the other updates as you go. 1 kJ = 0.239 cal (kcal) · 1 cal = 4.184 kJ.
That is the energy. To see what is in the food, try the micronutrient calculator →
Get the printable cheat sheet
The rule, a ready reckoner both ways, how to read a food label, and 32 everyday foods in kilojoules and calories. Three free pages.
It’s yours.
Print it, keep it by the pantry, and fill in page 2 with the foods you eat most.
Download the cheat sheet (PDF)The next question
You have the number. Now see what is in the food.
| Kilojoules (kJ) | Calories (cal / kcal) |
|---|---|
| 100 kJ | 24 cal |
| 250 kJ | 60 cal |
| 500 kJ | 120 cal |
| 1,000 kJ | 239 cal |
| 1,500 kJ | 359 cal |
| 2,000 kJ | 478 cal |
| 2,500 kJ | 598 cal |
| 3,000 kJ | 717 cal |
| 4,000 kJ | 956 cal |
| 5,000 kJ | 1,195 cal |
| 6,000 kJ | 1,434 cal |
| 8,700 kJ | 2,079 cal |
| 10,000 kJ | 2,390 cal |
8,700 kJ (about 2,079 cal) is the reference value for average adult daily energy intake used on Australian food labels.
How to Use the Kilojoule to Calorie Converter
Enter a value in either the kilojoules or the calories field. The corresponding value is calculated and shown instantly in the other field.
- To convert kilojoules to calories, enter the value in the kilojoules field.
- To convert calories to kilojoules, enter the value in the calories field.
Why Convert Kilojoules to Calories
Understanding the energy content of your food is essential for managing your diet, and different countries measure food energy in different units:
- Kilojoules (kJ) are the standard on food labels in Australia and New Zealand.
- Calories (cal) are the standard in the United States, and what most fitness apps and recipes use.
- Kilocalories (kcal) are the same unit as the calories on a food label, so converting kJ to kcal is the same conversion.
Converting between these units lets you read any label, compare products and nutritional information, and keep whatever you are tracking in one unit.
More free tools
Once you can read the label, the next question is usually how much of it you need. These do that maths for you.
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Your daily calories plus a protein, fat and carb split, from the Schofield equation and your activity level.
Open the calculator →Weight Loss Calculator
A daily intake estimate for a weekly rate you choose, in kilojoules and calories, with a safety floor it tells you about.
Open the calculator →Reduced Appetite Nutrient Gap Calculator
Eight questions for a snapshot of whether reduced appetite may be leaving nutrition gaps, including on a prescribed GLP-1.
Open the calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the conversion factor between kilojoules and calories?
1 kilojoule is approximately equal to 0.239 calories. Conversely, 1 calorie is approximately 4.184 kilojoules.
Why do we need to convert kilojoules to calories?
Different countries and food products use different units. Kilojoules are the standard on Australian and New Zealand food labels, while calories are standard in the United States and used by most fitness apps. Converting helps you accurately track and compare your energy intake.
Is this tool accurate?
Yes. The converter uses the standard conversion factor (1 kJ = 0.239006 kcal) to provide precise results, rounded to the nearest whole number.
Are calories and kilocalories the same thing?
On food labels, yes. The calories on a label are technically kilocalories (kcal), where 1 kcal is 1,000 scientific calories, but in everyday use and on this page calorie means the food-label kind.
Knowing your calories is just the start
Your body's needs are unique. If you have been counting for months and your weight, your energy or your sleep has not moved, the number on the label is rarely the missing piece. Fifteen minutes with Georgie is where you find out what is.
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Fifteen minutes with Georgie. Nothing to prepare, and nothing to buy on the call. Not ready yet? Start with how we work on weight and metabolism, or read about the Energy Blueprint.