How to convert kWh to amps?

Many homeowners aspire to live more independently, especially by choosing to go off-grid. One of the best ways to achieve this is by using portable power stations. To manage electricity effectively—whether at home or in a portable energy setup—understanding and mastering key electrical units such as kilowatt-hours (kWh), amperes (A), kilowatts (kW), and ampere-hours (Ah) is essential.

Knowing how to convert kWh to amps, and vice versa, helps determine the power requirements of your appliances, which is crucial for achieving true energy independence. This guide explores the most important conversions with practical formulas, real-life examples, and summary tables to help you make informed equipment choices.

1. Why Convert kWh to Amps?

Converting kilowatt-hours to amps (or the reverse) is useful in several situations:

Estimating how long a device can run on a battery.

Choosing the right portable power station for your needs.

Assessing the electrical needs of a motorhome, off-grid cabin, or solar setup.

If you've come across terms like kWh, Ah, kW, or amps but aren't sure how they relate, this article is for you.

2. Understanding the Units: kWh, kW, A, Ah, kVA

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

A unit of energy. 1 kWh = 1000 watts used for 1 hour.

Kilowatt (kW)

A unit of power. 1 kW = 1000 watts. For example, a 2 kW oven uses 2 kWh if it runs for 1 hour.

Ampere (A)

A unit of electric current. It measures how much electric charge is flowing.

Ampere-hour (Ah)

Used mainly for batteries, it represents capacity. A 100 Ah battery can deliver 5 amps for 20 hours.

Kilovolt-ampere (kVA)

Common in industrial settings. To convert kVA to kW:

Formula:

kW = kVA × power factor (cos φ)
(φ = power factor, typically 0.8 in domestic settings)

3. How to Convert kWh to Amps

Formula:

A = (kWh × 1000) / (V × h)

Where:

A = current in amps

kWh = energy used

V = voltage

h = duration in hours

Example:

An appliance uses 2 kWh over 4 hours at 220V:

A = (2 × 1000) / (220 × 4) = 2000 / 880 = 2.27 A

Conversion Table: Amps to kWh by Voltage

Amps (A)	12V (kWh)	24V (kWh)	120V (kWh)	220V (kWh)
1	0.012	0.024	0.12	0.22
2	0.024	0.048	0.24	0.44
3	0.036	0.072	0.36	0.66
4	0.048	0.096	0.48	0.88
5	0.060	0.120	0.60	1.10
6	0.072	0.144	0.72	1.32
7	0.084	0.168	0.84	1.54
8	0.096	0.192	0.96	1.76
9	0.108	0.216	1.08	1.98
10	0.120	0.240	1.20	2.20

4. How to Convert Amps to kWh

Formula:

kWh = (A × V × h) / 1000

Example:

An appliance draws 5 A at 230V for 2 hours:

kWh = (5 × 230 × 2) / 1000 = 2.3 kWh

Related searches: convert amps to kWh, ampere to kWh conversion

5. Convert kWh to Ah (Ampere-hours)

Essential when using batteries.

Formula:

Ah = (kWh × 1000) / V

Example:

A battery delivers 1.2 kWh at 12V:

Ah = (1.2 × 1000) / 12 = 100 Ah

Conversion Table: kWh to Ah

kWh	12V (Ah)	24V (Ah)	48V (Ah)	220V (Ah)
1	83.33	41.67	20.83	4.55
2	166.67	83.33	41.67	9.09
3	250	125	62.5	13.64
4	333.33	166.67	83.33	18.18
5	416.67	208.33	104.17	22.73
6	500	250	125	27.27
7	583.33	291.67	145.83	31.82
8	666.67	333.33	166.67	36.36
9	750	375	187.5	40.91
10	833.33	416.67	208.33	45.45

 

6. Convert Ah to kWh

Formula:

kWh = (Ah × Volts) / 1000

Example:

100 Ah at 24V:

kWh = (100 × 24) / 1000 = 2.4 kWh

Table: Ah to kWh at Various Voltages

Ah	12V (kWh)	24V (kWh)	48V (kWh)	220V (kWh)
50	0.6	1.2	2.4	11.0
100	1.2	2.4	4.8	22.0
150	1.8	3.6	7.2	33.0
200	2.4	4.8	9.6	44.0
250	3.0	6.0	12.0	55.0
300	3.6	7.2	14.4	66.0
400	4.8	9.6	19.2	88.0
500	6.0	12.0	24.0	110.0

 

7. Convert kW to Amps

Formula:

Amps = (kW × 1000) / Volts

Example:

3 kW at 230V:

A = (3 × 1000) / 230 ≈ 13.04 A

Table: kW to Amps at 120V & 240V

kW	120V (A)	240V (A)
1	10.42	5.21
2	20.83	10.42
3	31.25	15.63
4	41.67	20.83
5	52.08	26.04
6	62.50	31.25
7	72.08	36.04
8	83.33	41.67
9	93.75	46.88
10	104.17	52.08

 

8. Convert Amps to kW

Formula:

kW = (A × V) / 1000

Example:

10 A at 230V:

kW = (10 × 230) / 1000 = 2.3 kW

Table: Amps & Voltage to kW

Amps (A)	Voltage (V)	kW
10	200	2.0
20	210	4.2
30	220	6.6
70	230	16.1
100	240	24.0
50	250	12.5
80	260	20.8
150	280	42.0
200	300	60.0

 

9. How to Estimate Your Energy Needs

• When planning to use a portable power station:
• List your devices (laptop, kettle, fridge, etc.)
• Check their power ratings (in W or kW)
• Estimate how long you’ll use them daily
• Use the formulas above to calculate total kWh, Ah, or Amps