Heat Transfer Coefficient Converter

Convert between different units of heat transfer coefficient including W/m²·K, kcal/h·m²·°C, BTU/h·ft²·°F, and more. Essential for thermal engineering and HVAC calculations.

Base Unit: 1 W/m²·K = 1 W/m²·°C = 1 J/s·m²·K = 2.38846×10⁻⁵ cal(IT)/s·cm²·°C = 0.859845 kcal(IT)/h·m²·°C = 0.079882 kcal(IT)/h·ft²·°C = 4.89195×10⁻⁵ Btu(IT)/s·ft²·°F = 4.89522×10⁻⁵ Btu(th)/s·ft²·°F = 0.176110 Btu(IT)/h·ft²·°F = 0.176228 Btu(th)/h·ft²·°F = 0.176110 CHU/h·ft²·°C

About This Heat Transfer Coefficient Converter

Our Heat Transfer Coefficient Converter provides precise conversions between different units used to measure heat transfer rates. The tool is essential for thermal engineers, HVAC specialists, and building designers working with insulation, heat exchangers, and thermal systems.

The converter uses exact conversion factors based on standard definitions, ensuring accurate results for both practical applications and theoretical calculations. All conversions are derived from the base unit of watt per square meter per kelvin (W/m²·K).

Key Features

Comprehensive Units

Convert between 11 different heat transfer coefficient units including SI, imperial, and specialized measurements.

Scientific Precision

Handles both small and large values with automatic scientific notation when needed.

Real-time Conversion

See results instantly as you type or change units.

Educational

Learn about relationships between different heat transfer measurement systems.

Why Choose Our Converter?

  • Accuracy: Uses exact conversion factors from standard references
  • Versatility: Covers both metric and imperial units
  • User-Friendly: Clean interface with intuitive controls
  • Responsive: Works perfectly on all devices
  • No Installation: Web-based tool accessible from any browser

Frequently Asked Questions

What is heat transfer coefficient?

The heat transfer coefficient is a quantitative characteristic of convective heat transfer between a fluid and a solid surface. It measures the heat flux (W/m²) per unit temperature difference (K or °C).

When would I use different units?

W/m²·K is standard in scientific work, kcal/h·m²·°C is common in building HVAC, and BTU/h·ft²·°F is used in American engineering applications.

What’s the difference between IT and th in BTU units?

BTU(IT) uses the International Table calorie, while BTU(th) uses the thermochemical calorie. The difference is about 0.3% (1 BTU(th) ≈ 1.00067 BTU(IT)).

What are typical values for heat transfer coefficients?

Natural convection air: 5-25 W/m²·K; Forced convection water: 300-6000 W/m²·K; Boiling water: 3000-100,000 W/m²·K; Condensing steam: 4000-40,000 W/m²·K.