Heat Transfer Coefficient Converter

Convert non-negative heat transfer coefficient values between W/(m²·K), kW/(m²·K), kcal-based units, and BTU/(h·ft²·°F).

Heat transfer

Convert heat transfer coefficient across SI, calorie-based, and BTU-based units

Translate film, convection, and overall heat-transfer coefficients without blurring them into conductivity, heat flux density, or full assembly U-factor calculations.

Quick presets

Scope note

This page converts heat transfer coefficient values only. It does not calculate total heat rate unless area and temperature difference are supplied elsewhere, and it does not replace full heat-exchanger or building-envelope analysis.

Enter values Provide a non-negative heat transfer coefficient to calculate the full conversion sheet.

Also in Heat & Thermal

Fuel Efficiency — Mass Converter Heat Flux Density Converter Specific Heat Capacity Converter Thermal Conductivity Converter

Heat Transfer

Heat transfer coefficient converter: W/(m²·K), calorie-based, and BTU-based units explained

A heat transfer coefficient converter rewrites the same coefficient in the unit your HVAC note, exchanger worksheet, lab report, or building-science reference expects. That matters because coefficient values are often compared across SI, calorie-based, and BTU-based sources even when they describe the same heat-transfer behavior.

What a heat transfer coefficient represents

A heat transfer coefficient links heat-transfer rate per area to a temperature difference. It commonly appears in convection work, boiling and condensation measurements, and overall U-value style summaries for assemblies or exchangers.

The same coefficient can be written in W/(m²·K), kW/(m²·K), kcal/(h·m²·°C), cal/(s·cm²·°C), or BTU/(h·ft²·°F) without changing the underlying coefficient value.

q″ = h ΔT

Heat flux density equals the heat transfer coefficient times the temperature difference in a simple coefficient model.

Q̇ = U A ΔT

Overall heat-transfer calculations use the same coefficient idea when area is included explicitly.

1 kW/(m²·K) = 1,000 W/(m²·K)

Links the common SI scales supported by the converter.

Why coefficient values need context

A reported coefficient depends on the exact physical setup. Surface condition, fluid, flow regime, geometry, and temperature range all influence the value, so unit conversion should not be confused with reusing a coefficient outside its original context.

It is also important not to blur the quantity into thermal conductivity or heat flux density. Conductivity is a material property, while heat flux density is a result per unit area. The heat transfer coefficient connects heat-transfer intensity to a driving temperature difference.

How to use the result responsibly

Use the converter when you need to restate a coefficient from one unit system into another before comparing references, copying values into a worksheet, or checking a calculation. The page helps with translation, not with selecting the right coefficient for a new situation.

For design work, keep the original coefficient definition in view. Some sources refer to a local convective coefficient h, others to an overall coefficient U, and those values should not be mixed casually even when the units look similar.

Further reading

Frequently asked questions

Is heat transfer coefficient the same as thermal conductivity?

No. Thermal conductivity is a material property. Heat transfer coefficient is a system or boundary-condition quantity that links heat-transfer rate per area to temperature difference.

 Is this the same thing as a U-factor?

Not always. U-factor is an overall heat-transfer coefficient for a whole assembly. Many sources use similar units, but local convective coefficients and overall U-values should not be treated as interchangeable without context.

 Can I use this page to calculate total heat flow?

Not by itself. Total heat flow also depends on area and the relevant temperature difference, and often on the specific geometry and boundary conditions.

 Why do published coefficient values vary so much?

Because coefficients depend on fluid properties, flow regime, surface condition, geometry, temperature range, and whether the source reports a local or overall coefficient.

Related

More from nearby categories

These related calculators come from the same leaf category, nearby sibling categories, or the same top-level topic.

Specific Heat Capacity Converter

Convert non-negative specific heat capacity between J/(kg·K), kJ/(kg·K), J/(g·K), cal/(g·°C), kcal/(kg·°C), and BTU-based units.

Open calculator

Thermal Conductivity Converter

Convert non-negative thermal conductivity between W/(m·K), W/(cm·K), kW/(m·K), cal/(cm·s·°C), kcal/(m·h·°C), and BTU-based conductivity units.

Open calculator

Heat Flux Density Converter

Convert non-negative heat flux density between W/m², kW/m², W/cm², kcal/(h·m²), BTU/(h·ft²), and cal/(s·cm²).

Open calculator

Fuel Efficiency — Mass Converter

Convert fuel specific energy between J/kg, kJ/kg, MJ/kg, kWh/kg, kcal/kg, and BTU/lb, with common-fuel presets for quick reference.

Open calculator

Privacy choices

If you allow analytics, we may use Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity to better understand how the site is used. Analytics remain off unless you accept.