kW to VA Calculator
Convert real power in kilowatts (kW) to apparent power in volt-amps (VA). Enter the real power and the power factor, and press Calculate to get the apparent power in volt-amps using S(VA) = 1000 × P(kW) / PF. Everything runs locally in your browser.
Enter real power in kW
Type the real power P in kilowatts — the power that actually does work, as printed on appliance and motor nameplates. Scientific notation like 5e-3 (5 watts) is accepted.
Enter the power factor
Type the power factor PF, a number greater than 0 and up to 1 that describes how much of the apparent power actually does work. Use 1 for purely resistive loads like heaters; motors and electronics typically sit well below 1. Check the nameplate or measure it for accuracy.
Press Calculate, read volt-amps
Apparent power appears in volt-amps instantly. Press Reset to clear the fields and start over. Every value is computed in your own browser tab.
How to convert kW to VA
- What is the kW to VA formula?
- The apparent power S in volt-amps (VA) is equal to 1000 times the real power P in kilowatts (kW), divided by the power factor PF: S(VA) = 1000 × P(kW) / PF.
- Can you give a worked example?
- A 2 kW load at a power factor of 0.8 draws S = 1000 × 2 / 0.8 = 2500 VA. At unity power factor the conversion is exact: 1 kW at PF 1 gives 1000 × 1 / 1 = 1000 VA, and 0 kW gives 0 VA.
- Why are kW and VA different?
- kW is real power — the part that actually performs work. VA is apparent power — the total flow the supply must carry. The power factor (greater than 0, up to 1) is their ratio, lowered by reactive loads such as motors and transformers, so the VA figure is never less than the kW figure implies.
- Why is a power factor of 0 rejected?
- This conversion divides by the power factor, and dividing by zero has no finite result — an apparent-power value cannot be defined for PF = 0. Real loads always have a power factor above zero; use the nameplate value or measure it with a power analyzer.
- What power factor should I use?
- Use 1 only for purely resistive loads. Inductive and electronic loads run below 1 — read the equipment nameplate or measure it with a power analyzer. Do not guess a typical value for anything that needs to be accurate.
Privacy: every calculation runs in your browser tab — no value you type is sent anywhere. Results are ideal-circuit values; verify real installations with a multimeter.