VA to Watts Calculator

By Hassan Nawaz, B.Sc. Electrical Engineering. Updated November 11, 2026.

Choose the direction, enter the value and the power factor. You get real power in watts, apparent power in VA and kVA, the current in amps, and the reactive power.

Between 0 and 1. UPS units are often 0.6 to 0.9, motors 0.8 to 0.9, heaters 1.0.
1,350 W
Real power
1,500 VA
Apparent power
1.50 kVA
Apparent power (kVA)
12.50 A
Current
654 VAR
Reactive power

VA to watts formula

Watts = VA × power factor
VA = Watts ÷ power factor

Watts are the real power a load turns into work or heat. Volt-amps (VA) are the apparent power, the voltage times the current. They differ by the power factor (PF), a number between 0 and 1. At a PF of 1 they are equal, as with a resistive heater. A 1,500 VA load at 0.9 PF is 1,350 W.

Example: UPS and generator ratings

A UPS marked 1,500 VA and 900 W has a 0.6 power factor. A computer that draws 1,000 W needs a unit rated for at least 1,000 W, even though 1,500 VA sounds bigger. A generator rated 7,500 VA at 0.8 PF delivers 6,000 W. Always compare watts to watts, not watts to VA.

VA to watts at common power factors

VAPF 0.6PF 0.8PF 0.9PF 1.0
500 VA300 W400 W450 W500 W
750 VA450 W600 W675 W750 W
1,000 VA600 W800 W900 W1,000 W
1,500 VA900 W1,200 W1,350 W1,500 W
2,000 VA1,200 W1,600 W1,800 W2,000 W
3,000 VA1,800 W2,400 W2,700 W3,000 W

kVA to kW, and VA to amps

The same formulas work in thousands: kW = kVA × PF. For current, divide the VA by the voltage on a single-phase circuit, or by 1.732 times the line voltage on three phase. 1,500 VA at 120 V is 12.5 A. That is why a breaker, a wire and a generator are sized on amps and VA, while your power bill counts watts.

To convert real power straight to current, use the watts to amps calculator or the amps to watts calculator. To pick a wire for that current, use the wire size calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How do you convert VA to watts?

Multiply VA by the power factor. 1,000 VA at 0.8 PF is 800 W. If the power factor is not known, 0.8 to 0.9 is a common assumption for electronics and motors, and 1.0 for heaters.

How do you convert watts to VA?

Divide watts by the power factor. 800 W at 0.8 PF is 1,000 VA.

Is VA the same as watts?

No. They are equal only when the power factor is 1. For any other load, watts are lower than VA.

How many watts is 1,500 VA?

1,350 W at a 0.9 power factor, 1,200 W at 0.8 and 900 W at 0.6. Check the nameplate for the exact watt rating.

Sources

Reference charts

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Last updated November 11, 2026. Results are estimates for planning. See how we build and check our tools in our editorial policy. Found an error? Tell us.