kJ to kcal Converter
Type kilojoules to get kilocalories. 8,700 kJ, the average adult daily intake used on Australian labels, is about 2,079 kcal.
8,700 kJ =
2,079.35kcal
8,700 kilojoules is 2,079.35 kilocalories.
- 1 kJ
- 0.239 kcal
- 1 kcal
- 4.184 kJ
How to convert kJ to kcal
Divide kilojoules by 4.184, which is the same as multiplying by about 0.239. One kilocalorie is exactly 4.184 kJ, so the division gives the precise number of food Calories.
Say a sandwich is labelled 1,000 kJ: 1,000 ÷ 4.184 = 239 kcal. Australian and New Zealand labels list energy in kilojoules first, so this is the sum to do if you track Calories.
You only need the division when you count in Calories. To compare two foods, compare their kJ figures directly: the one with more kilojoules also has more kilocalories, by the same proportion, because both units measure the same energy.
kilocalories = kilojoules ÷ 4.184 (≈ kilojoules × 0.239006)
- Australian and New Zealand labels show percentage daily intake against an average adult diet of 8,700 kJ, about 2,079 kcal. Source: FSANZ Food Standards Code, Standard 1.2.8 (nutrition information).
How to estimate kJ to kcal in your head
Divide by 4 and take off 4%. 600 kJ ÷ 4 = 150, minus 6 is 144, and the true answer is 143.4 kcal. Another shortcut: multiply by 0.24, which is within half a percent.
Keep one landmark in mind: a whole day’s 8,700 kJ is roughly 2,080 kcal, and 1,000 kJ is just under 240.
kJ to kcal chart
Kilojoule figures from Australian, NZ and EU labels, as food Calories.
| Kilojoules (kJ) | Kilocalories (kcal) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.239 | |
| 17 | 4.0631 | a gram of protein or carbohydrate (EU) |
| 29 | 6.9312 | a gram of alcohol (EU) |
| 37 | 8.8432 | a gram of fat (EU) |
| 100 | 23.9006 | |
| 200 | 47.8011 | |
| 400 | 95.6023 | |
| 500 | 119.503 | |
| 600 | 143.403 | |
| 750 | 179.254 |
Show all 20 rowsShow fewer
| 1,000 | 239.006 | |
| 1,500 | 358.509 | |
| 2,000 | 478.011 | |
| 2,500 | 597.514 | |
| 4,000 | 956.023 | |
| 6,000 | 1,434.03 | |
| 8,000 | 1,912.05 | |
| 8,700 | 2,079.35 | Australian %DI reference |
| 10,000 | 2,390.06 | |
| 12,000 | 2,868.07 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories is 8,700 kJ?
8,700 kJ is 2,079 kcal. That reference day on Australian labels is a little above the 2,000 kcal used in the US and EU.
What is 2,000 kJ in calories?
2,000 kJ is 478 kcal (2,000 ÷ 4.184 = 478.01). A main meal of that size is about a quarter of the 8,700 kJ reference day.
Is 1 kJ the same as 1 calorie?
No. A kilojoule is about a quarter of a food Calorie: 1 kJ is 0.239 kcal. If you read kJ as Calories you will overcount by more than four times.
How do I convert kJ per 100 g to calories per serving?
Convert first, then scale. 1,500 kJ per 100 g is 358.5 kcal per 100 g; a 30 g serving holds 30% of that, about 108 kcal.