kVA to kW Calculator

Q: How many kW is 1 kVA?

1 kVA × PF. At PF 0.8 it is 0.8 kW; at PF 0.9, 0.9 kW; at PF 1.0, 1 kW.

Q: How many kW is a 100 kVA generator?

At the standard generator power factor of 0.8, 100 kVA × 0.8 = 80 kW.

Q: Why are generators rated at 0.8 power factor?

Most real installations include motors and other inductive loads, so 0.8 lagging is used as a realistic standard. It lets generator ratings in kVA and kW be compared consistently across manufacturers.

Q: How do I convert kVA to kW without the power factor?

You can't exactly. If the PF is unknown, use 0.8 for generator and mixed loads, which is the usual conservative assumption, and check the equipment datasheet when you can.

Q: Is kVA bigger than kW?

kVA is always equal to or larger than kW, because kW = kVA × PF and the power factor is never more than 1.

Convert kilovolt-amps (kVA) to kilowatts (kW) by multiplying by the power factor: kW = kVA × PF. Generators are usually rated at PF 0.8.

🔋 APPARENT POWER

kVA

📊 POWER FACTOR

REAL POWER

21.25 kW

IN WATTS

21,250 W

FORMULA

kW = kVA × PF

REACTIVE

13.17 kVAR

kVA to kW — Reference Table

kVA	PF 0.7	PF 0.8	PF 0.85	PF 0.9	PF 1.0
5 kVA	3.5	4	4.25	4.5	5
10 kVA	7	8	8.5	9	10
15 kVA	10.5	12	12.75	13.5	15
20 kVA	14	16	17	18	20
25 kVA	17.5	20	21.25	22.5	25
50 kVA	35	40	42.5	45	50
75 kVA	52.5	60	63.75	67.5	75
100 kVA	70	80	85	90	100
150 kVA	105	120	127.5	135	150
200 kVA	140	160	170	180	200

💡 How to Convert kVA to kW

To convert kVA to kW, multiply the kVA by the power factor. kVA is apparent power and kW is real power, so kW = kVA × PF. For generators rated at the industry-standard power factor of 0.8, kW is 80% of kVA.

kVA to kW formula

kW = kVA × PF

Example: 25 kVA at PF 0.85 → 25 × 0.85 = 21.25 kW

Worked examples

100 kVA diesel generator (PF 0.8): 100 × 0.8 = 80 kW prime power.
62.5 kVA generator (PF 0.8): 62.5 × 0.8 = 50 kW, a common size for small commercial buildings.
500 kVA transformer feeding a load at PF 0.9: 500 × 0.9 = 450 kW of real power before the transformer is fully loaded.

kVA to kW table

kVA	PF 0.7	PF 0.8	PF 0.85	PF 0.9	PF 1.0
1	0.7	0.8	0.85	0.9	1
5	3.5	4	4.25	4.5	5
10	7	8	8.5	9	10
15	10.5	12	12.75	13.5	15
20	14	16	17	18	20
25	17.5	20	21.25	22.5	25
30	21	24	25.5	27	30
50	35	40	42.5	45	50
62.5	43.75	50	53.12	56.25	62.5
100	70	80	85	90	100
125	87.5	100	106.25	112.5	125
250	175	200	212.5	225	250
500	350	400	425	450	500

Apparent, real and reactive power

AC power has three parts, often drawn as the power triangle. Apparent power (VA or kVA) is voltage × current: what the wiring, breaker and transformer actually carry. Real power (W or kW) is the part that does useful work, such as heat, light or motion. Reactive power (VAR) is the part that flows back and forth to build magnetic and electric fields in motors, transformers and capacitors. The power factor (PF) is the ratio of real to apparent power, between 0 and 1.

W = VA × PF · VA = W ÷ PF · VAR = √(VA² − W²)

Typical power factors: resistive loads such as heaters and incandescent lamps run at 1.0; computer and server power supplies with power factor correction (PFC) run at about 0.95–0.99; induction motors run at roughly 0.8–0.9 at full load and lower when lightly loaded. Diesel generators are conventionally rated at a power factor of 0.8.

Common mistakes

Assuming kVA = kW. A "10 kVA" generator is an 8 kW generator at PF 0.8. Buying on the kVA figure alone can leave you short of power.
Using PF 1.0 for motor loads. Motors and compressors have lagging power factors, so real power is well below kVA.

Related conversions: kW to kVA · kVA to watts · kVA to amps

kW = kVA × power factor. A 100 kVA generator at PF 0.8 delivers 80 kW.