Skip to main content

Convert Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin to BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit

Instantly convert Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin (J/(kg·K)) to BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit (BTU/(lb·°F)) with our free online calculator.

Reviewed by Christopher FloiedUpdated

Formula: J/(kg·K) to BTU/(lb·°F)multiply by 2.3885e-4

Reference Table

Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin (J/(kg·K))BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit (BTU/(lb·°F))
10.000238846
50.00119423
100.00238846
250.00597115
500.0119423
1000.0238846

How to Convert Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin to BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit

Formula

To convert Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin (J/(kg·K)) to BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit (BTU/(lb·°F)): multiply by 2.3885e-4

Step-by-Step

  1. Start with your value in Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin (J/(kg·K)).
  2. Multiply by 2.3885e-4 to perform the conversion.
  3. The result is your value expressed in BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit (BTU/(lb·°F)).

Conversion Factor

1 J/(kg·K) = 0.000238846 BTU/(lb·°F)

Reverse Factor

1 BTU/(lb·°F) = 4186.8 J/(kg·K)

Worked Example

Convert 25 Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin to BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit: 25 J/(kg·K) = 0.00597115 BTU/(lb·°F)

About Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin (J/(kg·K))

The SI unit of specific heat capacity (ISO 80000-5 §5-15) — the energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of material by exactly one kelvin (= one degree Celsius, since the K and °C have identical interval sizes). J/(kg·K) is the universal working unit in thermodynamics, heat-transfer analysis, calorimetry, materials thermal characterization, and CFD/thermal simulation (Ansys Mechanical Thermal, COMSOL Heat Transfer Module, ABAQUS Standard all use J/(kg·K) internally). Reference values per CRC Handbook + NIST WebBook: water 4,186 J/(kg·K) at 25 °C — the highest of any common substance and the reason water is the universal thermal-storage medium; ice 2,090 J/(kg·K); water vapour 1,996 J/(kg·K); dry air at 25 °C 1,005 J/(kg·K) (cp); ethanol 2,440 J/(kg·K); helium gas 5,193 J/(kg·K) (the highest of common gases due to its very low molecular mass); iron 449 J/(kg·K); aluminum 897 J/(kg·K); copper 385 J/(kg·K); concrete 880 J/(kg·K); typical engineering polymer 1,000-2,000 J/(kg·K). Convert J/(kg·K) to kJ/(kg·K) by dividing by 1,000; to BTU/(lb·°F) by dividing by 4,186.8; to cal/(g·°C) by dividing by 4,184.

About BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit (BTU/(lb·°F))

An imperial specific-heat unit (≈ 4,186.8 J/(kg·K)) widely used in US HVAC, petroleum engineering, thermodynamics, and process-engineering work. By the BTU's definition (1 BTU = heat to raise 1 lb of water by 1 °F at 60 °F), water has a specific heat of exactly 1.000 BTU/(lb·°F) — numerically identical to water's value in cal/(g·°C) since both unit systems calibrate to the same physical material. US steam tables (Keenan, Keyes, Hill, Moore; Power's Steam Tables), ASHRAE Handbook fundamentals chapters on humidification + air-property calculations, petroleum-reservoir thermal-recovery simulators (CMG STARS, Computer Modelling Group), and Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook all default to BTU/(lb·°F) for cp / cv values. Reference values: ideal air cp = 0.240 BTU/(lb·°F), cv = 0.171 BTU/(lb·°F); structural steel 0.107 BTU/(lb·°F); aluminum 0.214 BTU/(lb·°F); typical engineering polymer 0.3-0.5 BTU/(lb·°F). Convert BTU/(lb·°F) to J/(kg·K) by multiplying by 4,186.8; to kJ/(kg·K) by multiplying by 4.187.

Quick Facts

  • 1 Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin equals 0.000238846 BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit
  • 1 BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit equals 4186.8 Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin
  • Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin is a unit of specific heat capacity
  • BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit is a unit of specific heat capacity
  • This conversion is commonly used in thermal design, material selection, and climate modelling
  • The Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin belongs to the metric system
  • The BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit belongs to the imperial system

Common Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin to BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit Conversions

Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin (J/(kg·K))BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit (BTU/(lb·°F))
0.010.00000238846
0.10.0000238846
0.250.0000597115
0.50.000119423
10.000238846
20.000477692
30.000716538
50.00119423
100.00238846
150.00358269
200.00477692
250.00597115
500.0119423
750.0179134
1000.0238846
2500.0597115
5000.119423
10000.238846
50001.19423
100002.38846

Understanding Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin

The Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin (symbol: J/(kg·K)) is a unit of specific heat capacity. The SI unit of specific heat capacity (ISO 80000-5 §5-15) — the energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of material by exactly one kelvin (= one degree Celsius, since the K and °C have identical interval sizes). J/(kg·K) is the universal working unit in thermodynamics, heat-transfer analysis, calorimetry, materials thermal characterization, and CFD/thermal simulation (Ansys Mechanical Thermal, COMSOL Heat Transfer Module, ABAQUS Standard all use J/(kg·K) internally). Reference values per CRC Handbook + NIST WebBook: water 4,186 J/(kg·K) at 25 °C — the highest of any common substance and the reason water is the universal thermal-storage medium; ice 2,090 J/(kg·K); water vapour 1,996 J/(kg·K); dry air at 25 °C 1,005 J/(kg·K) (cp); ethanol 2,440 J/(kg·K); helium gas 5,193 J/(kg·K) (the highest of common gases due to its very low molecular mass); iron 449 J/(kg·K); aluminum 897 J/(kg·K); copper 385 J/(kg·K); concrete 880 J/(kg·K); typical engineering polymer 1,000-2,000 J/(kg·K). Convert J/(kg·K) to kJ/(kg·K) by dividing by 1,000; to BTU/(lb·°F) by dividing by 4,186.8; to cal/(g·°C) by dividing by 4,184.

It belongs to the metric measurement system.

Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin are commonly used in thermal design, material selection, and climate modelling.

Understanding BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit

The BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit (symbol: BTU/(lb·°F)) is a unit of specific heat capacity. An imperial specific-heat unit (≈ 4,186.8 J/(kg·K)) widely used in US HVAC, petroleum engineering, thermodynamics, and process-engineering work. By the BTU's definition (1 BTU = heat to raise 1 lb of water by 1 °F at 60 °F), water has a specific heat of exactly 1.000 BTU/(lb·°F) — numerically identical to water's value in cal/(g·°C) since both unit systems calibrate to the same physical material. US steam tables (Keenan, Keyes, Hill, Moore; Power's Steam Tables), ASHRAE Handbook fundamentals chapters on humidification + air-property calculations, petroleum-reservoir thermal-recovery simulators (CMG STARS, Computer Modelling Group), and Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook all default to BTU/(lb·°F) for cp / cv values. Reference values: ideal air cp = 0.240 BTU/(lb·°F), cv = 0.171 BTU/(lb·°F); structural steel 0.107 BTU/(lb·°F); aluminum 0.214 BTU/(lb·°F); typical engineering polymer 0.3-0.5 BTU/(lb·°F). Convert BTU/(lb·°F) to J/(kg·K) by multiplying by 4,186.8; to kJ/(kg·K) by multiplying by 4.187.

It belongs to the imperial measurement system.

BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit are commonly used in thermal design, material selection, and climate modelling.

Why Convert Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin to BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit?

Converting between Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin and BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit is a frequent requirement for engineers, scientists, and students working with specific heat capacity values. Different industries and regions favour different unit systems, so having a dependable conversion tool saves time and prevents errors in technical calculations. Whether you are verifying a specification sheet, cross-checking simulation results, or preparing a report for an international audience, accurate specific heat capacity conversion is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin to BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit?

The SI unit of specific heat capacity (ISO 80000-5 §5-15) — the energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of material by exactly one kelvin (= one degree Celsius, since the K and °C have identical interval... To convert Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin to BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit, multiply by 2.3885e-4. For example, 25 J/(kg·K) equals 0.00597115 BTU/(lb·°F).

How many BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit are in 1 Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin?

There are 0.000238846 BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit in 1 Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin.

How many Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin are in 1 BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit?

There are 4186.8 Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin in 1 BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit.

What is the formula for Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin to BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit conversion?

The formula is: multiply by 2.3885e-4. This means 1 J/(kg·K) = 0.000238846 BTU/(lb·°F).

Is a Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin bigger than a BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit?

Yes. One Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin is larger than one BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit because 1 J/(kg·K) equals 0.000238846 BTU/(lb·°F), which is less than 1.

When do you need to convert between Joules per Kilogram-Kelvin and BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit?

An imperial specific-heat unit (≈ 4,186. Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin and BTU per Pound-Fahrenheit are both specific heat units, so conversion comes up whenever one source of information uses one unit and another uses the other — a classic cross-reference challenge in engineering, trade, travel, and everyday life.

More Specific Heat Capacity Conversions

Related Tools