Heat Density Converter - Convert J/m³, BTU/ft³, cal/cm³ & More Units
Result:
1000 kJ/m³ = 26.83922499 BTU/ft³
How Heat Density Conversion Works
Input Energy
Enter energy density
Select Units
Choose density units
Convert
Apply energy formula
Conversion Formulas
kJ/m³ to BTU/ft³
BTU/ft³ = kJ/m³ × 0.02684
Example: 1000 kJ/m³ = 1000 × 0.02684 = 26.84 BTU/ft³
J/m³ to cal/cm³
cal/cm³ = J/m³ ÷ 4186800
Example: 1000000 J/m³ = 1000000 ÷ 4186800 = 0.239 cal/cm³
kWh/m³ to MJ/m³
MJ/m³ = kWh/m³ × 3.6
Example: 5 kWh/m³ = 5 × 3.6 = 18 MJ/m³
kcal/m³ to J/m³
J/m³ = kcal/m³ × 4186.8
Example: 100 kcal/m³ = 100 × 4186.8 = 418,680 J/m³
Heat Density Conversion Table
| kJ/m³ | J/m³ | BTU/ft³ | cal/cm³ | kWh/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 100,000 | 2.68 | 0.024 | 0.028 |
| 250 | 250,000 | 6.71 | 0.060 | 0.069 |
| 500 | 500,000 | 13.42 | 0.119 | 0.139 |
| 750 | 750,000 | 20.13 | 0.179 | 0.208 |
| 1000 | 1,000,000 | 26.84 | 0.239 | 0.278 |
| 1500 | 1,500,000 | 40.26 | 0.358 | 0.417 |
| 2000 | 2,000,000 | 53.68 | 0.478 | 0.556 |
| 2500 | 2,500,000 | 67.10 | 0.597 | 0.694 |
| 3000 | 3,000,000 | 80.52 | 0.717 | 0.833 |
| 4000 | 4,000,000 | 107.36 | 0.955 | 1.111 |
| 5000 | 5,000,000 | 134.20 | 1.194 | 1.389 |
| 7500 | 7,500,000 | 201.30 | 1.791 | 2.083 |
| 10000 | 10,000,000 | 268.40 | 2.388 | 2.778 |
| 15000 | 15,000,000 | 402.60 | 3.583 | 4.167 |
| 20000 | 20,000,000 | 536.80 | 4.777 | 5.556 |
Heat Density Units Progression Chart
100 kJ/m³
500 kJ/m³
1000 kJ/m³
2000 kJ/m³
5000 kJ/m³
10000 kJ/m³
Practice Problems
Problem 1:
Convert 2500 kJ/m³ to BTU/ft³
Solution: 2500 × 0.02684 = 67.1 BTU/ft³
Problem 2:
Convert 50 BTU/ft³ to kJ/m³
Solution: 50 ÷ 0.02684 = 1863.4 kJ/m³
Problem 3:
Convert 0.5 cal/cm³ to J/m³
Solution: 0.5 × 4186800 = 2,093,400 J/m³
Problem 4:
Convert 10 kWh/m³ to MJ/m³
Solution: 10 × 3.6 = 36 MJ/m³
Problem 5:
Convert 750 kcal/m³ to kJ/m³
Solution: 750 × 4.1868 = 3140.1 kJ/m³
What is Heat Density?
Heat density is the amount of thermal energy stored in a given volume of material. It tells us how much heat energy fits in a space. Think of it like packing energy into a box - some materials can store more heat energy than others in the same amount of space.
Our heat density converter helps you change between different units like J/m³ (joules per cubic meter), BTU/ft³ (British thermal units per cubic foot), cal/cm³ (calories per cubic centimeter), and kWh/m³ (kilowatt-hours per cubic meter). These units measure the same thing but use different scales.
For example, when engineers design heating systems, they need to know how much energy different materials can store. A material with high heat density can store lots of energy in a small space, making it perfect for energy storage systems.
Common Heat Density Units Explained
J/m³ (Joules per Cubic Meter)
This is the basic unit for heat density. One joule is a small amount of energy - about the energy needed to lift an apple one meter high.
Common range: 1,000 to 10,000,000 J/m³
BTU/ft³ (BTU per Cubic Foot)
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. It's the energy needed to heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Very common in HVAC systems.
Common range: 0.1 to 300 BTU/ft³
cal/cm³ (Calories per Cubic Centimeter)
A calorie is the energy needed to heat one gram of water by one degree Celsius. This unit is often used in chemistry and food science.
Common range: 0.001 to 10 cal/cm³
kWh/m³ (Kilowatt-hours per Cubic Meter)
This unit relates to electrical energy. One kWh is what you pay for on your electric bill - it's the energy used by a 1000-watt device running for one hour.
Common range: 0.1 to 10 kWh/m³
Real-World Examples of Heat Density
🏠 Home Heating
Natural gas: ~37,000 kJ/m³
This is why gas heaters are so effective - gas stores lots of energy in a small space.
🔋 Battery Storage
Lithium battery: ~2,500 kJ/m³
Modern batteries pack a lot of energy, but not as much as fuels like gas or oil.
☀️ Solar Thermal
Hot water tank: ~300 kJ/m³
Solar systems heat water to store energy for later use when the sun isn't shining.
🏭 Industrial Steam
Steam at 200°C: ~800 kJ/m³
Factories use steam to carry heat energy from boilers to different processes.
🔥 Wood Burning
Dry wood: ~15,000 kJ/m³
Wood stores energy from sunlight. When burned, it releases this stored energy as heat.
🧱 Building Materials
Concrete: ~2,000 kJ/m³
Heavy materials like concrete can store heat during the day and release it at night.
Why Use Our Heat Density Converter?
Easy to Use
Just enter your number, pick your units, and get instant results. No complex math needed.
All Units Supported
Convert between J/m³, BTU/ft³, cal/cm³, kWh/m³, MJ/m³, kcal/m³, and Wh/m³.
Always Accurate
Our converter uses precise conversion factors to give you exact results every time.
Free Forever
No sign-up required. Use our heat density converter as much as you want, completely free.
Works Everywhere
Use it on your phone, tablet, or computer. Works in any web browser, anywhere.
Learn While Converting
See examples, formulas, and practice problems to understand heat density better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between heat density and energy density?
Heat density and energy density are the same thing. Both measure how much energy is stored in a given volume. The terms are used interchangeably in most applications.
Which heat density unit is most commonly used?
J/m³ (joules per cubic meter) is the standard scientific unit. BTU/ft³ is common in HVAC and building systems in the US. kWh/m³ is often used when relating to electrical energy storage.
How do I convert kJ/m³ to BTU/ft³?
Multiply the kJ/m³ value by 0.02684. For example: 1000 kJ/m³ × 0.02684 = 26.84 BTU/ft³. Our converter does this calculation automatically.
Why is heat density important in building design?
Heat density helps engineers choose the right materials for energy storage and heating systems. Materials with high heat density can store more energy in less space, making buildings more efficient.
Can I use this converter for any type of energy?
Yes! Our heat density converter works for any type of energy stored in a volume - thermal energy, chemical energy, electrical energy, or any other form of energy density.
Daily Uses of Heat Density
HVAC system design and energy storage calculations
Building thermal mass analysis for energy efficiency
Industrial process heat recovery system design
Solar thermal energy storage capacity planning
Combustion chamber and furnace efficiency calculations