Thermal Conductivity Converter
Convert between 5 units of thermal conductivity — W/(m·K), W/(cm·K), BTU/(h·ft·°F), cal/(s·cm·°C), and kcal/(h·m·°C). Thermal conductivity determines how quickly heat flows through a material. Diamond (2,200 W/m·K) conducts 600× better than glass (1 W/m·K) and 140× better than copper (385 W/m·K). Aerogel (0.015 W/m·K) insulates better than still air. Used in building insulation, electronics cooling and heat exchanger design.
About the Thermal Conductivity Converter
Thermal conductivity measures how readily a material transfers heat by conduction. High values mean the material conducts heat well (metals, diamonds); low values mean it insulates (aerogel, air). The SI unit is W/(m·K). Building engineers use it to calculate R-values and U-values for insulation. Materials scientists use it to design heat sinks, thermal interface materials, and electronics cooling systems.
- ›Diamond has the highest thermal conductivity of any natural material: ~2,200 W/(m·K)
- ›Copper (385 W/(m·K)) conducts heat ~600× better than glass (1 W/(m·K))
- ›Aerogel has a thermal conductivity as low as 0.015 W/(m·K) — better than still air at 0.025
- ›R-value used in US building codes = thickness ÷ thermal conductivity (higher R = better insulation)
W/(m·K) to BTU/(h·ft·°F) — Conversion Table
| W/(m·K) (W/m·K) | BTU/(h·ft·°F) (BTU/h·ft·°F) |
|---|---|
| 1 W/m·K | 0.57779 BTU/h·ft·°F |
| 2 W/m·K | 1.15558 BTU/h·ft·°F |
| 5 W/m·K | 2.88895 BTU/h·ft·°F |
| 10 W/m·K | 5.77791 BTU/h·ft·°F |
| 20 W/m·K | 11.5558 BTU/h·ft·°F |
| 50 W/m·K | 28.8895 BTU/h·ft·°F |
| 100 W/m·K | 57.7791 BTU/h·ft·°F |
| 1,000 W/m·K | 577.791 BTU/h·ft·°F |
Last updated: July 27, 2026 · Calculated using SI-validated constants (NIST)
Frequently Asked Questions
What units does the Thermal Conductivity Converter support?
The Thermal Conductivity Converter supports multiple units with instant conversion. Convert between 5 units of thermal conductivity — W/(m·K), W/(cm·K), BTU/(h·ft·°F), cal/(s·cm·°C), and kcal/(h·m·°C). Thermal conductivity determines how quickly heat flows through a material. Diamond (2,200 W/m·K) conducts 600× better than glass (1 W/m·K) and 140× better than copper (385 W/m·K). Aerogel (0.015 W/m·K) insulates better than still air. Used in building insulation, electronics cooling and heat exchanger design. All results use SI-validated constants accurate to 8 significant figures.
Is this Thermal Conductivity Converter free?
Yes — completely free. No registration, no limits. Works on all devices including mobile.
How accurate is this converter?
Accurate to 8 significant figures using precise mathematical constants validated against international SI standards (NIST and ISO 80000).