Specific Heat Energy Calculator

Quantify the thermal energy needed to heat or cool a material with the classic Q = m·c·ΔT formula. Enter the mass, specific heat capacity, and temperature change to see the energy transfer in Joules—useful for lab work, engineering projects, or home energy planning.

Enter the mass of the substance in kilograms.
Look up the material's specific heat capacity—for water use 4,186 J/kg°C.
Positive for heating, negative for cooling.

Assumes no heat loss to the environment.

Examples

  • Heating 2 kg of water by 10°C (c = 4,186 J/kg°C) ⇒ 83,720 J
  • Cooling 0.5 kg of aluminum by 15°C (c = 900 J/kg°C) ⇒ -6,750 J
  • Warming 1.2 kg of engine oil by 25°C (c = 1,800 J/kg°C) ⇒ 54,000 J

FAQ

What is specific heat?

It is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Can c vary?

Yes. Specific heat changes slightly with temperature, pressure, and phase (solid, liquid, gas).

Is the result in Joules?

Yes. Multiply Joules by 0.0002778 to convert to kilowatt-hours (kWh) if needed.

Does phase change require more energy?

Absolutely. Melting or boiling requires latent heat in addition to the sensible heat calculated here.

Can I use Fahrenheit degrees?

Convert temperature change to Celsius first: ΔT(°C) = ΔT(°F) ÷ 1.8.

Additional Information

  • Specific heat indicates how much energy a material stores per kilogram for each degree Celsius of temperature change.
  • Water's high specific heat (≈4,186 J/kg°C) makes it effective at regulating climate and thermal systems.
  • Metals generally have lower specific heats, so they heat up and cool down quickly compared with water.
  • Read the [degree Celsius explainer](/units-and-measures/degree-celsius-definition-history-and-applications/) and the [joule guide](/units-and-measures/the-joule-si-unit-of-energy/) to tie these calculations back to SI definitions.
  • Need deeper context on c itself? Walk through the [specific heat capacity article](/units-and-measures/specific-heat-capacity-c/) for ISO 80000 definitions, historical milestones, and measurement techniques.
  • Translating energy into convection performance? Pair your results with the ISO 80000-11 [Nusselt number deep dive](/units-and-measures/nusselt-number-nu-convective-enhancement-of-heat-transfer/) to select the right Nu–Re–Pr correlation.

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