Convert Microjoules to Kilotons of TNT
Convert Microjoules (µJ) to Kilotons of TNT (kt(TNT)) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
kt(TNT) = µJ × 2.390057361e-19
About Microjoules
A microjoule (µJ) is 10⁻⁶ J - the scale of precision laser ablation, ESD damage events, and individual LIDAR pulses. LASIK eye surgery delivers 0.5-2 µJ per pulse at 193 nm, ablating ~0.25 µm of corneal tissue per pulse. ESD events that destroy IC gates correspond to 1-1,000 µJ; the Human Body Model test discharges ~500 µJ at 2 kV. Q-switched microchip laser pulses for rangefinding are 1-100 µJ. The kinetic energy of a 1 mg grain of sand falling 10 cm is mgh ≈ 0.98 µJ. 1 µJ = 10⁻⁶ J.
About Kilotons of TNT
A kiloton of TNT (kt(TNT)) = 10³ tons of TNT = exactly 4.184 TJ. It is the standard unit for sub-megaton nuclear weapon yields. Hiroshima's Little Boy: ~12-18 kt; Nagasaki's Fat Man: ~19-23 kt. The W88 warhead (Trident II) is ~475 kt; the W76 is ~100 kt. The Beirut port explosion (2020): estimated 0.5-1.1 kt. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake releases ~0.5-2 kt of seismic energy. A kiloton blast creates a fireball ~90-100 m radius and a lethal thermal radius of ~1-2 km. 1 kt(TNT) = 4.184 TJ = 1,162.8 MWh.
Quick Reference Table
| Microjoules (µJ) | Kilotons of TNT (kt(TNT)) |
|---|---|
| 1 µJ | 2.39 × 10-19 kt(TNT) |
| 2 µJ | 4.78 × 10-19 kt(TNT) |
| 5 µJ | 1.195 × 10-18 kt(TNT) |
| 10 µJ | 2.39 × 10-18 kt(TNT) |
| 25 µJ | 5.975 × 10-18 kt(TNT) |
| 50 µJ | 1.195 × 10-17 kt(TNT) |
| 100 µJ | 2.39 × 10-17 kt(TNT) |