Convert Joules to Gigajoules
Convert Joules (J) to Gigajoules (GJ) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
GJ = J × 1.000000000e-9
About Joules
The joule (J) is the SI unit of energy, defined as one newton acting through one metre (1 J = 1 N·m = 1 kg·m²/s²). Named after James Prescott Joule, whose 1840s paddle-wheel experiments established the mechanical equivalent of heat (~4.15 J = 1 calorie). One joule is modest: it lifts a 100 g apple by 1 m, heats 0.239 mL of water by 1°C, or powers a 1 W LED for 1 second. Daily adult resting metabolism is ~6-9 MJ. 1 J = 1 W·s = 0.23901 cal = 9.4782 × 10⁻⁴ BTU = 2.7778 × 10⁻⁷ kWh.
About Gigajoules
A gigajoule (GJ) is 10⁹ J - the scale of fossil-fuel commodity volumes. One barrel of crude oil contains ~5.80 GJ; one metric tonne of hard coal ~29.3 GJ. Canadian energy bills express household consumption in GJ: average Canadian households use ~100-130 GJ/year. A 1 GW power plant at 33% efficiency burns ~10.9 GJ/h of fuel to generate 1 GWh = 3.6 GJ of electricity. Detonation of 1 tonne of TNT releases 4.184 GJ. 1 GJ = 10⁹ J = 277.78 kWh = 947,817 BTU = 9.4782 therms.
Quick Reference Table
| Joules (J) | Gigajoules (GJ) |
|---|---|
| 1 J | 1 × 10-9 GJ |
| 2 J | 2 × 10-9 GJ |
| 5 J | 5 × 10-9 GJ |
| 10 J | 1 × 10-8 GJ |
| 25 J | 2.5 × 10-8 GJ |
| 50 J | 5 × 10-8 GJ |
| 100 J | 1 × 10-7 GJ |