Energy Calculators

U.S. Energy Information Administration

This online calculator converts from one energy unit to another - from gallons to British thermal units (Btu), kilowatt/hours to megajoules, short tons to metric tons.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

The link on the bottom of the page-- [http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=us_energy_use-basics]-- has good information about the basics of energy. The EIA Energy Kids website ([http://www.eia.gov/kids/]) provides good background information and resources for learners about energy in general, and the EIA website ([http://www.eia.gov/]) has current information and access to energy data that can be used by students and teachers for lessons.
This online calculator completes unit conversions for various energy sources including: coal, electricity, natural gas, crude oil, gasoline, diesel and heating oil, residential heating fuels, and for measuring energy in food (food calories versus energy calories). Comment from expert scientist: Gives access to estimates for the energy density of fuels. The precision of the results is misleading in that each energy density is an estimate. For example, the energy density of coal varies by at least a factor of two depending on the rank/type. Unless the source for the conversion is very specific, the precision of the calculated results should reflect the precision of the conversion factor.