Quick reference
| Kilojoules | Calories |
|---|---|
| 100 kJ | 23.9 Cal |
| 250 kJ | 59.8 Cal |
| 500 kJ | 120 Cal |
| 1,000 kJ | 239 Cal |
| 1,500 kJ | 359 Cal |
| 2,000 kJ | 478 Cal |
| 3,000 kJ | 717 Cal |
| 5,000 kJ | 1,195 Cal |
| 8,700 kJ (label reference) | 2,079 Cal |
| 10,000 kJ | 2,390 Cal |
Real meals in kJ and Calories
Figures as each chain publishes them, so they can differ from the formula by a few units because of rounding.
- McDonald's Big Mac1 burger · 24.6g protein2,330 kJ
557 Cal - Guzman y Gomez Grilled Chicken Burrito1 burrito · 48.2g protein3,220 kJ
769 Cal - KFC Zinger Burger1 burger · 26.2g protein1,874 kJ
448 Cal - Nando's Half PERi-PERi Chicken½ chicken · 108g protein2,990 kJ
715 Cal - Subway Rotisserie-Style Chicken 6-inch6-inch sub · 29g protein2,000 kJ
478 Cal - Chicken breast, baked150g · 43.5g protein956 kJ
228 Cal - Egg, hard-boiled1 egg (50g) · 6.2g protein284 kJ
68 Cal - Weet-Bix30g · 3.6g protein425 kJ
102 Cal
Search any meal on the protein finder to see both units, or log it in the free tracker.
Questions
How do I convert kJ to Calories?
Divide kilojoules by 4.184. For example, 2,000 kJ ÷ 4.184 = 478 Calories. For a quick estimate in your head, divide by 4.
How do I convert Calories to kJ?
Multiply Calories by 4.184. For example, 500 Calories × 4.184 = 2,092 kJ. For a quick estimate, multiply by 4.
Are Calories and kilocalories the same?
Yes. A food Calorie (capital C) is a kilocalorie (kcal). So when a label or app says 500 Calories or 500 kcal, it means the same amount of energy.
Why do Australian labels use kilojoules?
Australia uses metric units, and the kilojoule is the metric unit of energy. Nutrition information panels must show energy in kJ. Some brands also show Calories, but many don't, which is why converting is handy.
How many kJ should I eat in a day?
It depends on your age, sex, size and how active you are, so there's no single number. The 8,700 kJ (about 2,079 Calories) you see on Australian food labels is the reference intake for an average adult, used to work out the % Daily Intake. It isn't a personal target. For an estimate for you, use the Australian Government's Eat for Health calculators or ask a dietitian.
General information only, not medical or dietary advice.