Heat Required to Raise 1 kg of Water by 1°C
Raising 1 kg of water by 1°C requires 4 186 J, which is the definition of the specific heat of water.
How to use this tool
- Enter mass, specific heat capacity and temperature change δt in the fields above.
- Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
- Read your heat energy q and the full breakdown beneath it.
Water has a specific heat of 4 186 J/kg·K, so heating 1 kg by 1°C requires exactly 4 186 joules.
Frequently asked questions
- What are common specific heat values?
- Water: 4186 J/kg·K (very high — why it's used as a coolant), iron: 450, aluminium: 900, copper: 385, ethanol: 2440 J/kg·K.
- Is ΔT in Celsius or Kelvin?
- Either, since a change of 1 °C equals a change of 1 K. Always use the magnitude of the change.