Watts to Amps Conversion Calculator (2024)

Use this calculator to convert watts to amps. Choose from both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) flows.

On this page:

  • Watts to amps formula
  • How to convert watts to amps
  • Watts to amps at 120V (AC)
  • Watts to amps at 240V (AC)
  • Understanding watts, amps and volts
  • Watts to amps conversion examples

Watts to amps formula

The formula for converting watts to amps is:

Amps = Watts ÷ Volts

How to convert watts to amps

To convert watts (electrical power) to amps (electrical current) at a fixed voltage, you can use a variation of Watt's Law formula:Power = Current × Voltage (P = IV). By working backwards,we get the equation: amps = watts ÷ volts, which can be used to convert watts to amps.

Example calculation

If you have an amplfier using 1600W of power on a 120v circuit, you can use the equationCurrent (Amps) = Power (Watts) ÷ Voltage to calculate that the draw of the amplifier is1600 / 120 = 13.3 amps.

Watts to Amps Conversion Calculator (1)

How many amps is 1000 watts at 240 volts?

If you have a 1000W electrical appliance connected to a 240V circuit, it will be drawing 4.17 amps.

1000W ÷ 240V = 4.17A.

How many amps is 1500 watts at 120 volts?

If you have a 1500W electrical appliance on a 120V circuit, it will be drawing 12.5 amps.

1500W ÷ 120V = 12.5A.

Watts to amps at 120V (AC)

Watts:Amps (at 120V):
100 watts0.83 amps
200 watts1.67 amps
300 watts2.5 amps
400 watts3.33 amps
500 watts4.17 amps
600 watts5 amps
700 watts5.83 amps
800 watts6.67 amps
900 watts7.5 amps
1000 watts8.33 amps
1100 watts9.17 amps
1200 watts10 amps
1300 watts10.83 amps
1400 watts11.67 amps
1500 watts12.5 amps
1600 watts13.33 amps
1700 watts14.17 amps
1800 watts15 amps
1900 watts15.83 amps
2000 watts16.67 amps
2500 watts20.83 amps
3000 watts25 amps

Watts to amps at 240V (AC)

Watts:Amps (at 240V):
100 watts0.42 amps
200 watts0.83 amps
300 watts1.25 amps
400 watts1.67 amps
500 watts2.08 amps
600 watts2.5 amps
700 watts2.92 amps
800 watts3.33 amps
900 watts3.75 amps
1000 watts4.17 amps
1100 watts4.58 amps
1200 watts5 amps
1300 watts5.42 amps
1400 watts5.83 amps
1500 watts6.25 amps
1600 watts6.67 amps
1700 watts7.08 amps
1800 watts7.5 amps
1900 watts7.92 amps
2000 watts8.33 amps
2500 watts10.42 amps
3000 watts12.5 amps

Understanding watts, amps and volts

To help understand the conversion of watts to amps, let's go through what each of these units represent.

What are amps?

Amps are amperes, a unit which measures electrical current. It can be helpful to imagine electrical current as water in a hose. In this analogy, the quantity (volume) of water would be the amps.

What are watts?

Watts represent the amount of energy produced by the amps and volts working together. Multiplying amps (water volume) by volts (water pressure) gives you the wattage (the resulting power or energy). A water wheel would turn faster and longer, generating more energy ifit uses increased water volume and higher water pressure; the same applies to the wattage if amps and volts are increased.

What are volts?

Volts are a unit to measure force. They measure the force required to make the electrical current (amps) flow. In the hose analogy, the volts would be the water pressure. North American homes typically use 120V for their electrical supply, whilst 230V is common acrossmany other countries.

What is AC/DC?

Watts to Amps Conversion Calculator (2)

DC stands for direct current, when the current flows in one single direction. A flashlight with a battery uses a direct current.

AC stands for alternating current, when the current periodically changes direction. In Northern America and Western Japan, this usually happens 60 times per second, or 60Hz / hertz. In Europe, the UK, East Japan and most of Australia, South America, Africa andAsia, the current changes direction 50 times per second, which is 50Hz. Power supplied to homes and businesses uses AC supply.

Watts to amps conversion examples

Let's go through some examples to help nail the conversion process.

Example question 1

Question: 600W are being sent at 120V. What is the current?

  1. Current = Power ÷ Voltage
  2. Current = 600W ÷ 120V
  3. Current = 5A

If you’re working with larger units, you need to remember that 1 kilowatt is equal to 1000 watts. The formula for Watt’s law stays the same, just as long as you express the wattage in watts (your sum will go wrong if you use ‘5W’ tomean ‘5KW’; you need to use 5000W instead).

Example question 2

Question: 2.4KW are being sent at 120V. What is the current?

Before we carry out our conversion, we need to convert 2.4 kilowatts into watts. 2.4KW = 2400W. We can then run through the formula...

  1. Current = Power ÷ Voltage
  2. Current = 2400W ÷ 120V
  3. Current = 20A

Converting watts to amps is simple, really, but if you’re feeling short-circuited after all those numbers, just use ourwatts to amps calculator at the top of this page.

Calculator by Alastair HazellLast updated: July 31, 2023

This page has been reviewed by Derek Bulled, Director of CDS Electrical and an approved electrician with over 30 years of experience.

References

  1. What is Watt’s law?, EngineeringClicks.
  2. How Much Electrical Power Do You Need?, Mississippi State University.
  3. Unit 4: Energy Through Our Lives-Part II, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

Watts to Amps Conversion Calculator (2024)

FAQs

How to calculate watts to amps? ›

Watts to Amps

Identify the Wattage: Determine the power consumption of the electrical device or system, measured in watts (W). Know the Voltage: Establish the voltage at which the electrical system operates, measured in volts (V). Calculate the Amperage: Divide the wattage by the voltage using the formula A = W / V.

How many watts are in 1 amp? ›

The wattage in one amp depends on the voltage of the system. Using the formula for DC conversion: Watts = Amps x Volts, at 120 volts, 1 amp would equal 120 watts. Remember, the relationship between amps and watts is directly influenced by the voltage. Is Power Factor Important When Converting Watts to Amps?

What is 20 watts in amps? ›

Watts to amps table (120V)
Power (W)Voltage (V)Current (A)
20 watts120 volts0.167 amps
30 watts120 volts0.250 amps
40 watts120 volts0.333 amps
50 watts120 volts0.417 amps
15 more rows

What is 1500w into amp? ›

Therefore, 1500 watts equate to approximately 12.5 amperes when the circuit operates at 120 volts.

How do I convert 100 watts to amps? ›

Ohms law states that amps equals watts divided by voltage. So 100w divided by 120 volts = . 83 of an amp.

How many Watts can a 20 amp breaker handle? ›

Applying the 80% rule to a 20-amp breaker (20 amps × 120 volts = 2,400 watts) results in a safe maximum watt capacity of 1,920 watts (2,400 watts × 0.8 = 1,920 watts). Following this guideline helps prevent circuit overload, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of your electrical system.

How do I know what wattage my amp is? ›

Multiply the voltage by the amperage to find the wattage.

For example, if your voltage was at 108V and the amperage was at 24A, your amplifier's wattage is 2592 watts.

How many Watts can a 15 amp breaker handle? ›

On average, a 15 amp breaker can run a one 1K light each without blowing or about 1800 – 2000 watts. The only issue with relying on this formula is that it is advisable to only load a breaker up to 80 percent of its capacity. Overloading a 15 amp breaker can lead to very dangerous situations.

Is 20 watts enough for an Amp? ›

For live shows, you'll want an amplifier that is powerful enough to be heard over the drums and other instruments. A 20W to 100W tube amplifier or 60W to 120W+ solid-state amp should do the trick.

What is the difference between a 10 watt amp and a 20 watt amp? ›

The 20-watt amp is double the power of the 10-watt amp, but doubling the power only translates to an increase of 3 dB SPL. Remember, in order to sound "twice as loud," you need an increase of 10dB, so while a 20W amplifier will sound noticeably louder than a 10W amp, it will not sound twice as loud.

How many amps does a TV use? ›

The average TV typically draws around 0.3 to 1.7 amps of current. The amp draw of the TV can vary based on factors such as the TV's efficiency, screen size, technology (LED/LCD, OLED, QLED), and additional features like smart capabilities and built-in sound systems.

Can you run 1500 watts on 15-amp circuit? ›

A normal 1500-watt space heater will draw 12.5 amps when turned on HIGH, and if you are plugging into a 15-amp circuit in your house, you are close to that circuit threshold. If other items are plugged into that same circuit, you are adding more load, feasibly resulting in overloading the circuit.

Is 15 watts a lot for an amp? ›

Provided you're using a reasonably efficient speaker, these amplifiers offer enough output for rehearsals and small gigs, and they can keep up with a moderately restrained drummer. That said, a 5- to 15-watt tube amplifier will have a difficult time maintaining a clean tone at rehearsal and gig levels.

How many amps is 500W? ›

500W / 120 v = 4.166 amps.

How many watts is 10 amps? ›

Watts = Amps x Volts

Examples: 10 Amps x 120 Volts = 1200 Watts.

How many amps is 2000w? ›

So, 2000 watts is approximately 16.67 amps at 120 volts and 8.33 amps at 240 volts.

How do you calculate watts on a breaker? ›

A relationship principle known as Ohm's Law states that amperage (A) x volts (V) = watts (W). Using this simple relationship principle, you can calculate the available wattage of any given circuit size: 15-amp 120-volt circuit: 15 amps x 120 volts = 1,800 watts. 20-amp 120-volt circuit: 20 amps x 120-volts = 2,400 ...

How many amps is 12W? ›

Since P=E*I, 12W at 120V requires 0.1 Amperes.

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