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Voltage & Electric Potential Converter

Convert electrical potential difference and electromotive force across Volts (V), Millivolts (mV), Microvolts (µV), and Kilovolts (kV) with real-time bidirectional calculations.

Explore Voltage & Electric Potential Guide & Formulas↓View Voltage & Electric Potential Converter Chart→
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Simultaneous Category Equivalents

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Popular Voltage & Electric Potential Conversion Shortcuts

Instant pair conversions with verified scientific and mathematical formulas

Quick Pairs
V to mV→
1 V = 1,000 mV
mV to V→
1,000 mV = 1 V
kV to V→
1 kV = 1,000 V
V to kV→
1,000 V = 1 kV
mV to µV→
1 mV = 1,000 µV
µV to mV→
1,000 µV = 1 mV
V to µV→
1 V = 1,000,000 µV
kV to mV→
1 kV = 1,000,000 mV

Voltage & Electric Potential Reference Equivalents (1 Volt)

Standard ratios measured against the base Volt (V)

Reference Table
Unit NameSymbolEquivalent in 1 VQuick Pair Page
VoltV1 V = 1 VBase Unit
MillivoltmV1 V = 1,000 mVV to mV →
MicrovoltµV1 V = 1,000,000 µVV to µV →
KilovoltkV1 V = 0.001 kVV to kV →

Standard Electric Potential & Voltage Benchmarks Reference Chart

Lookup table of typical voltages from biological action potentials to ultra-high-voltage power transmission grids

Lookup Matrix
Physical Source / CircuitVolts (V)Millivolts (mV)Microvolts (µV)Kilovolts (kV)
Human Neural Resting Membrane Potential-0.070 V-70.0 mV-70,000 µV-0.00007 kV
Human Electroencephalogram (EEG Brain Wave)0.00005 V0.050 mV50.0 µV0.00000005 kV
Type K Thermocouple (100°C Temperature Rise)0.0041 V4.10 mV4,100 µV0.0000041 kV
Silicon Diode Forward Bias Threshold0.70 V700.0 mV700,000 µV0.0007 kV
Alkaline AA / AAA Household Battery1.50 V1,500 mV1,500,000 µV0.0015 kV
Lithium-Ion / LiPo Battery Cell Nominal3.70 V3,700 mV3,700,000 µV0.0037 kV
Standard USB-A Power Bus5.00 V5,000 mV5,000,000 µV0.0050 kV
Automotive Lead-Acid Starter Battery12.60 V12,600 mV12,600,000 µV0.0126 kV
North American Household Outlet (RMS)120.0 V120,000 mV120,000,000 µV0.120 kV
European / Asian Household Outlet (RMS)230.0 V230,000 mV230,000,000 µV0.230 kV
Electric Vehicle Traction Battery Pack (Tesla)400.0 V400,000 mV400,000,000 µV0.400 kV
Commercial Regional Electrical Distribution Line13,800.0 V13,800,000 mV13,800,000,000 µV13.8 kV
Long-Distance Extra-High-Voltage (EHV) Grid765,000.0 V765,000,000 mV765,000,000,000 µV765.0 kV
Electrodynamics & Power Systems

Voltage: Electric Potential, Fields, Work & Transmission Standards

Authoritative guide to electric potential difference, electrostatic work, AC RMS derivations, and SI voltage conversions across electronic and utility systems.

Definition of Electric Potential & Work

Electric potential difference (voltage) ΔV between two points in space is defined as the work done per unit of electric charge moving along any path against an electric field:

ΔV = V_B - V_A = -∫_A^B E · dl = ΔU / q

Line Integral Formulation of Voltage (E = Electric Field Vector, dl = Path Element, q = Charge in Coulombs)

By international SI convention, 1 Volt represents the potential difference between two points on a conducting wire carrying a constant current of 1 Ampere when the power dissipated between these points equals 1 Watt.

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) & Circuit Loops

Under the Principle of Energy Conservation, Kirchhoff's Voltage Law dictates that the directed sum of potential differences around any closed circuit loop must equal zero:

∑ V_k = 0

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (Sum of Voltage Rises Equals Sum of Voltage Drops)

Any electrical potential gained by moving through an EMF source (battery, solar cell, generator) must be completely dropped across resistive and reactive circuit components along the loop.

Safety Classification & Extra-Low Voltage (ELV)

International electrical safety standards (IEC 60364) categorize voltages by shock hazard:

  • Extra-Low Voltage (ELV): Operating under 50V AC RMS or 120V ripple-free DC (e.g., USB, telecommunications, 12V automotive). Poses minimal shock risk under dry conditions.
  • Low Voltage (LV): 50V to 1,000V AC (residential 120V/230V and commercial 480V three-phase). Capable of causing fatal cardiac arrest and severe arc flash explosions.
  • High Voltage (HV & EHV): Above 1,000V AC (13.8 kV distribution to 765 kV transmission). Capable of arcing through open air without physical conductor contact.

About Voltage & Electric Potential Units & Formulas

Multiply potential by the factor relative to the base Volt (V).

VoltV

SI unit of electric potential (1 W/A)

MillivoltmV

0.001 Volts

MicrovoltµV

10⁻⁶ Volts

KilovoltkV

1,000 Volts

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Voltage & Electric Potential Converter FAQs

Frequently asked questions regarding voltage & electric potential conversion metrics, formulas, and real-world calculation standards

How do you convert Volts to Millivolts (V to mV)?

To convert Volts (V) to Millivolts (mV), multiply by 1,000: mV = V × 1,000.

Examples:

  • A 3.3V logic level pin on an Arduino or ESP32: 3.3 × 1,000 = 3,300 mV.
  • A 1.2V NiMH rechargeable battery: 1.2 × 1,000 = 1,200 mV.
  • Reverse Conversion: Divide Millivolts by 1,000 to get Volts (500 mV ÷ 1,000 = 0.5 V).

What is voltage in electrical physics?

Voltage (electric potential difference, ΔV) is the work or energy required per unit electric charge to move a test charge between two points in an electrostatic field (V = W ÷ Q = Joules / Coulomb).

  • SI Derived Unit: Volt (V), named in honor of Alessandro Volta. 1 V = 1 J/C = 1 W/A = 1 kg·m²·s⁻³·A⁻¹.
  • Electromotive Force (EMF): The chemical or magnetic potential generated by batteries or generators that drives electric current through a closed circuit.
  • Water Analogy: If electric current is water flow rate (gallons per minute), voltage is the water pressure driving the flow through the pipe.

What is the difference between peak voltage and RMS voltage?

In alternating current (AC) circuits, the voltage follows a sinusoidal oscillation:

  • Peak Voltage (V_peak): The maximum instantaneous voltage amplitude reached during a sinusoidal wave crest.
  • RMS Voltage (Root Mean Square): The effective DC-equivalent heating voltage (V_rms = V_peak ÷ √2 ≈ 0.7071 × V_peak). Household utility voltages (120V in the US, 230V in Europe) are always quoted in RMS. A 120V RMS outlet actually oscillates between peak values of +170V and -170V.

Why do electric power grids use extremely high voltages (kV)?

Electrical power transmission losses in cables are caused by Joule heating (P_loss = I² × R). Since electrical power equals voltage times current (P = V × I), stepping up the voltage by a factor of 100 reduces the required current by a factor of 100 for the same power. Because power loss depends on current squared (I²), transmission loss is reduced by 10,000 times (100²), allowing electricity to be transmitted hundreds of miles with minimal energy dissipation.