Kilojoules (kJ) and calories (cal) are both units of energy measurement commonly used in nutrition and food labelling. In Australia, since 2002, it has been mandatory for all food products to display energy content in kilojoules on their nutrition information panels, making kJ the primary energy unit for Australian consumers.

A kilojoule is the metric unit of energy, while a calorie (specifically a kilocalorie) is the imperial unit. The conversion between these units is straightforward: 1 kilojoule equals 0.239006 calories, and conversely, 1 calorie equals 4.184 kilojoules.

This conversion is particularly important for Australians who may encounter international recipes, fitness apps, or dietary information that uses calories instead of kilojoules. Our free online calculator makes it easy to convert between these units instantly, whether you're:

• Reading nutrition labels on imported food products
• Following international recipes that list energy in calories
• Using fitness trackers or apps that display calories
• Comparing energy content across different food items
• Calculating daily energy intake for health and fitness goals

The Australian government's decision to mandate kilojoules on food labels aligns with the International System of Units (SI), promoting consistency in scientific and commercial measurements. However, many people still think in terms of calories, making conversion tools like this essential for everyday use.