kW to kVA Calculator
Convert kilowatts (kW) to kilovolt-amps (kVA) by dividing by the power factor: kVA = kW ÷ PF. Size generators, transformers and UPS systems correctly.
APPARENT POWER
11.76 kVA
IN VA
11,765 VA
FORMULA
kVA = kW / PF
REACTIVE (kVAR)
6.2 kVAR
kW to kVA — Reference Table
| kW | PF 0.7 | PF 0.8 | PF 0.85 | PF 0.9 | PF 1.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | 7.14 | 6.25 | 5.88 | 5.56 | 5 |
| 10 kW | 14.29 | 12.5 | 11.76 | 11.11 | 10 |
| 15 kW | 21.43 | 18.75 | 17.65 | 16.67 | 15 |
| 20 kW | 28.57 | 25 | 23.53 | 22.22 | 20 |
| 25 kW | 35.71 | 31.25 | 29.41 | 27.78 | 25 |
| 50 kW | 71.43 | 62.5 | 58.82 | 55.56 | 50 |
| 75 kW | 107.14 | 93.75 | 88.24 | 83.33 | 75 |
| 100 kW | 142.86 | 125 | 117.65 | 111.11 | 100 |
| 150 kW | 214.29 | 187.5 | 176.47 | 166.67 | 150 |
| 200 kW | 285.71 | 250 | 235.29 | 222.22 | 200 |
💡 How to Convert kW to kVA
To convert kW to kVA, divide the kilowatts by the power factor. The answer is the apparent power your generator, transformer or UPS must be rated for to deliver that real power. At the generator-standard power factor of 0.8, kVA is 1.25 × kW.
kW to kVA formula
Example: 10 kW at PF 0.85 → 10 ÷ 0.85 = 11.76 kVA
Worked examples
- Generator for an 80 kW load (PF 0.8): 80 ÷ 0.8 = 100 kVA.
- Transformer for a 400 kW factory at PF 0.85: 400 ÷ 0.85 = 470.6 kVA, so the next standard size up (500 kVA) is chosen.
- UPS for 8 kW of IT equipment at PF 0.9: 8 ÷ 0.9 = 8.89 kVA.
kW to kVA table
| kW | kVA @ PF 0.7 | kVA @ PF 0.8 | kVA @ PF 0.85 | kVA @ PF 0.9 | kVA @ PF 1.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.43 | 1.25 | 1.18 | 1.11 | 1 |
| 5 | 7.14 | 6.25 | 5.88 | 5.56 | 5 |
| 8 | 11.43 | 10 | 9.41 | 8.89 | 8 |
| 10 | 14.29 | 12.5 | 11.76 | 11.11 | 10 |
| 20 | 28.57 | 25 | 23.53 | 22.22 | 20 |
| 40 | 57.14 | 50 | 47.06 | 44.44 | 40 |
| 50 | 71.43 | 62.5 | 58.82 | 55.56 | 50 |
| 80 | 114.29 | 100 | 94.12 | 88.89 | 80 |
| 100 | 142.86 | 125 | 117.65 | 111.11 | 100 |
| 200 | 285.71 | 250 | 235.29 | 222.22 | 200 |
| 400 | 571.43 | 500 | 470.59 | 444.44 | 400 |
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.
Sizing checklist
- Total the real power (kW) of everything that runs at once.
- Divide by the power factor to get kVA.
- Add allowance for motor starting current, which can be several times the running current.
- Round up to the next standard equipment size and keep roughly 20–25% headroom for growth.
Related conversions: kVA to kW · watts to kVA · kW to amps