About the kW to VA Calculator
This calculator converts kW to VA. kW is a thousand watts, the usual way to rate motors, heaters, air conditioners and generators, and VA is volt-amperes, the apparent power that a supply must deliver, which is voltage times current without regard to power factor. It multiplies the kilowatts by 1,000 and divides by the power factor. Enter your figures and the answer appears at once, together with a few related values, and you can copy the result with one tap. The sums are done in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere.
Updated October 2026
How to use the kW to VA Calculator
- 1Enter the value in kW.
- 2Fill in the other boxes that the kW to VA calculation needs, such as time, voltage or power factor.
- 3Read the answer in the large result box.
- 4Check the extra rows for related values.
- 5Press Copy result to keep it.
When you need kW to VA
Power ratings of machines are usually given in kilowatts, while smaller supplies and inverters are rated in VA. Converting from kW to VA tells you how big a supply must be to run the machine, and the answer depends on the power factor of the load.
For example, a pump motor of 3 kW with a power factor of 0.75 needs 4 kVA. A heater of 3 kW with a power factor of 1 needs only 3 kVA. The same real power requires different supplies, which is why the power factor matters.
How the kW to VA sum works
VA = kW × 1,000 ÷ power factor. A 3 kW load at a power factor of 0.75 needs a supply of 3 × 1,000 ÷ 0.75 = 4,000 VA.
The displayed answer is rounded to six significant figures, but the sum itself is not rounded, so converting kW to VA and back again gives you the number you started with.
- Includes the 1,000 factor
- Needs the load's power factor
- Account for motor efficiency
Mistakes to avoid when converting kW to VA
Do not use the kW rating of the motor shaft as the electrical input power. A motor's electrical input is higher than its shaft output because of losses, so divide by the efficiency first if you only know the shaft power.
On phone and computer
On a phone, type in the boxes one after another and read the VA result underneath; the Copy button puts it on the clipboard for a message or a note. On a computer the inputs sit on the left and the answer on the right, so you can change one figure and watch the VA value move. The kW to VA page works the same on both. VA to kW Calculator does the reverse, kW to kVA Calculator gives the answer in thousands, Watts to VA Calculator handles smaller loads, and kVA to kW Calculator helps with generator and transformer ratings.
Features
- kW to VA in one step
- Related values shown with the answer
- Clear messages for impossible inputs
- Copy the result with one tap
- Private: nothing is uploaded
- Works on phone and computer
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert kW to VA?
VA = kW × 1,000 ÷ power factor. A 3 kW load at a power factor of 0.75 needs a supply of 3 × 1,000 ÷ 0.75 = 4,000 VA.
What is the formula for kW to VA?
VA = kW × 1,000 ÷ power factor. The calculator applies it exactly and rounds only the displayed answer.
What is the difference between kW and VA?
kW is a thousand watts, the usual way to rate motors, heaters, air conditioners and generators. VA is volt-amperes, the apparent power that a supply must deliver, which is voltage times current without regard to power factor. They measure different things, which is why converting from kW to VA needs more than a simple multiplication in some cases.
How many VA is 1 kW?
At a power factor of 1, it is 1,000 VA. At 0.8, it is 1,250 VA.
Can I use this for a generator?
Yes. It gives the apparent power that the generator must supply. Compare the result with the generator's kVA rating.
Is this kW to VA calculator free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account, and runs in your browser, so the figures you type are not uploaded or stored. It is meant for planning and learning; for wiring or safety work, check the result against your equipment's rating plate and local rules.