CalcPanel

Watts to Amps Calculator

Convert watts to amps (or reverse amps to watts) with voltage, phase, and power factor—instant bidirectional W ↔ A for appliances, heaters, and AC feeder pre-checks.

DC: I = W ÷ V (PF = 1). AC single-phase: I = W ÷ (V × PF). AC three-phase: I = W ÷ (V × √3 × PF). Example: 1800 W ÷ 120 V = 15 A; 300 W ÷ 12 V DC = 25 A. Three-phase √3 teaching → 3-Phase Power.

Calculator

Quick: watts + voltage → amps. Advanced: amps → watts, solve voltage from W & A (voltage↔watts), three-phase √3, and adjustable PF.

Covers voltage to watts / watts to voltage searches—enter any two of W, A, V.
Example: 1800 W heater. For kW, enter watts (10 kW = 10000).
Three-phase: use line-to-line voltage. Hidden when solving for voltage.
Resistive ≈ 1.0; motors/UPS often 0.80–0.95. Locked to 1.0 on DC.
Current type
DC = batteries, solar panels, and 12 V / 24 V / 48 V automotive or RV loads. DC has no power factor, so PF is locked to 1 and I = W ÷ V.

About this calculator

This watts to amps calculator solves any two of W, A, V across DC, single-phase AC, and three-phase AC (with power factor on AC)—including voltage to watts and watts to voltage. Select DC for batteries, solar panels, and 12 V / 24 V / 48 V automotive or RV loads, where power factor is 1 by definition. It is not a kVA→amps converter—use kVA to Amps when the nameplate is in kVA. For √3 teaching and three-phase worked examples, see the 3-Phase Power Calculator. Browse the power calculator hub.

Calculation Results

≈ 15 A (1.800 kW real power)

1800 W · 120 V · PF 1 · Single Phase

Formula: I = W ÷ (V × PF)

Balanced-load estimate from real power. Harmonics, motor starting, and continuous-load 125% breaker margins are not applied here.

Continue Your Calculation

Have line current from watts? Continue to breaker frame screening (link updates from your result).

Watts to amps quick reference (PF 1.0)

Single-phase resistive: I = W ÷ V. Click a row to load the calculator.

Power Voltage Current
120 V 1φ8.33 A
120 V 1φ15 A
240 V 1φ12.5 A
240 V 1φ20.8 A
480 V 3φ PF 0.85≈ 14.15 A
120 V 1φ2400 W

Watts to amps at 12 V, 120 V and 240 V (PF 1.0)

Select DC under Current type to reproduce any 12 V row: I = W ÷ V with PF locked to 1. Single-phase AC at unity power factor gives the same numbers; three-phase line current divides by √3 — use the 3-Phase Power Calculator for that case.

Power 12 V DC 120 V 1φ 240 V 1φ
100 W8.33 A0.83 A0.42 A
120 W10 A1.0 A0.5 A
500 W41.67 A4.17 A2.08 A
1000 W83.33 A8.33 A4.17 A
1500 W125 A12.5 A6.25 A
1800 W150 A15 A7.5 A
2000 W166.67 A16.67 A8.33 A
3000 W250 A25 A12.5 A
5000 W416.67 A41.67 A20.83 A

Watts to amps formula (W = V × I × PF)

The core watts formula relates real power, volts, and amps. On AC circuits multiply by power factor; on DC or unity-PF resistive loads, PF ≈ 1 and W ≈ V × I (volts × amps).

Single-phase: I = W ÷ (V × PF)  ·  W = V × I × PF  ·  V = W ÷ (I × PF)

Three-phase (line current): I = W ÷ (V × √3 × PF)  ·  W = V × I × √3 × PF  ·  V = W ÷ (I × √3 × PF)

  • W — real power (watts); not the same as VA (apparent power)
  • V — RMS voltage (line-to-line for 3φ)
  • I — line current (amps)
  • PF — power factor (0–1); use 1.0 for heaters / many DC nameplates

W vs VA: Watts = VA × PF. If the nameplate is in kVA (not kW), convert current with kVA to Amps instead of this watts formula.

DC note: For DC, set phase to single-phase and PF = 1.0 (W = V × I). This page still solves any two of W, V, A.

Example: 1800 W ÷ (120 V × 1.0) = 15 A.

Deep three-phase √3 teaching and kW/kVA from V·A·PF → 3-Phase Power Calculator. Need kW ↔ kVA first? kW to kVA.

When to use which power tool

Goal Tool
Convert watts ↔ amps (real power)This page
Convert kVA ↔ amps (apparent power)kVA to Amps
Convert kW ↔ kVA with PFkW to kVA
Three-phase kW/kVA from V·A·PF3-Phase Power
Pick breaker frame from ampsBreaker Size

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert watts to amps?

Single-phase: I = W ÷ (V × PF). Three-phase: I = W ÷ (V × √3 × PF). Example: 1800 W at 120 V PF 1.0 = 15 A.

How do I convert voltage to watts?

You need current as well: W = V × I × PF (1φ) or W = V × I × √3 × PF (3φ). Choose Watts (from amps + voltage) in Solve for. Example: 120 V × 15 A × PF 1.0 = 1800 W.

How do I convert watts to voltage?

Choose Voltage (from watts + amps): V = W ÷ (I × PF) (1φ). Example: 1800 W ÷ 15 A = 120 V at PF 1.0.

How do I convert amps to watts?

Single-phase: W = V × I × PF. Three-phase: W = V × I × √3 × PF. Example: 15 A at 120 V PF 1.0 = 1800 W.

Does this calculator handle DC (12 V, 24 V, 48 V)?

Yes—choose DC under Current type. DC has no power factor, so I = W ÷ V with PF locked to 1. Examples: 100 W at 12 V = 8.33 A; 300 W at 12 V = 25 A; 1000 W at 24 V = 41.67 A. Size the DC fuse and cable for this current, not for the inverter's output power.

Do I need power factor for watts to amps?

Yes for AC real power. Resistive loads can use PF ≈ 1.0. Motors and UPS loads often use 0.8–0.95. If you already know kVA, use kVA to Amps instead.

What is 1000 watts in amps at 120V?

At 120 V single-phase PF 1.0: ≈ 8.33 A. At PF 0.9: ≈ 9.26 A. Use the 1000 W preset above.

Is watts to amps the same as kVA to amps?

No. Watts need PF; kVA does not. This page owns W↔A; kVA to Amps owns apparent-power current.

What is the watts formula (W = V × I)?

For DC or resistive AC at PF 1.0: W = V × I. For AC real power generally: W = V × I × PF (1φ) or W = V × I × √3 × PF (3φ). Example: 120 V × 15 A × PF 1.0 = 1800 W. Deep √3 teaching → 3-Phase Power.

Is watts equal to volts times amps?

Only when PF = 1.0 (or on DC). Otherwise watts = volts × amps × PF. VA (apparent) is V × I without PF; W (real) needs the PF term—see the formula section above.

How many amps is 1500 watts?

It depends on voltage: 12.5 A at 120 V, 6.25 A at 240 V, and 125 A at 12 V (all PF 1.0). Formula: I = W ÷ V.

How many amps is 120 watts?

1.0 A at 120 V, 0.5 A at 240 V, and 10 A at 12 V at PF 1.0. Use I = W ÷ V, or open the voltage matrix above.

How many amps is 1000 watts at 12V?

≈ 83.33 A (1000 ÷ 12) at PF 1.0. Inverters and chargers are not perfectly efficient, so size the DC fuse and cable for the input current, not the output power.

How many amps is 2000 watts at 240V?

≈ 8.33 A at 240 V single-phase PF 1.0. The same 2000 W load draws 16.67 A at 120 V — which is why high-power appliances move to 240 V circuits.