# Specific Heat Capacity Converter (J/(kg·K) / kcal / BTU) Convert specific heat capacity between J/(kg·K) (joule per kilogram-kelvin, SI base, = J/(kg·°C)), kcal/(kg·°C) (1 = 4186.8 J/(kg·K)), and BTU/(lb·°F) (1 = 4186.8 J/(kg·K)). Key identity: 1 kcal/(kg·°C) = 1 BTU/(lb·°F) — numerically equal because the energy/mass·temperature factors cancel. Converts via J/(kg·K) and lists all three equivalents. Reference values: water ≈ 4186, air cp ≈ 1005, aluminum ≈ 900, iron ≈ 450 J/(kg·K). > Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/specific-heat-converter - **Category:** Math & Numbers - **Keywords:** specific heat capacity, specific heat conversion, J/(kg·K), joule per kilogram kelvin, kcal/(kg·°C), kilocalorie, BTU/(lb·°F), BTU, heat capacity, thermodynamics, calorimetry ## Overview Convert specific heat capacity between J/(kg·K), kcal/(kg·°C), and BTU/(lb·°F). Enter a non-negative value, select the input and output units, and receive the converted result plus equivalent values in all three units. ## Inputs - **Input unit** (select) - **Value** (number): Specific heat capacity in the selected Input unit. Must be non-negative. - **Output unit** (select) - **Decimal Places** (number) ## When to use - Convert SI specific heat values such as water, air, aluminum, or iron into kcal or BTU units. - Translate engineering and thermodynamics data between metric and BTU-based notation. - Check calorimetry or heat-transfer calculations when source data uses a different specific heat unit. ## How it works - Enter a non-negative specific heat capacity value. - Select the input unit: J/(kg·K), kcal/(kg·°C), or BTU/(lb·°F). - Select the desired output unit and choose the number of decimal places from 0 to 10. - The converter calculates through J/(kg·K) and returns the requested value with all three unit equivalents. ## Use cases - Compare material properties in heat-transfer and thermodynamics calculations. - Convert air or water specific heat values for HVAC, energy, and calorimetry work. - Standardize material data before checking calculations that mix SI, kcal, and BTU units. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which specific heat units are supported? The tool supports J/(kg·K), kcal/(kg·°C), and BTU/(lb·°F). ### Are kcal/(kg·°C) and BTU/(lb·°F) numerically equal? Yes. In this converter, 1 kcal/(kg·°C) equals 1 BTU/(lb·°F) numerically. ### What is the conversion basis? Conversions use J/(kg·K), with 1 kcal/(kg·°C) and 1 BTU/(lb·°F) equal to 4186.8 J/(kg·K). ### Can I enter zero or a negative value? Zero is allowed, but the value must not be negative. ### How many decimal places can the result use? You can select between 0 and 10 decimal places. ## Related tools - [Air Changes per Hour (ACH, n = Q/V)](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/air-changes-per-hour): Compute the air change rate (ACH / n) of a room from the outdoor supply airflow Q and the room volume V: n = Q/V (1/h). Three modes: solve ACH (given Q and V), solve airflow (given n and V), or solve volume (given n and Q). Flow in m³/s/m³/h/CFM, volume in m³/ft³/L. 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