Convert Megawatts to Milliwatts
Convert Megawatts (MW) to Milliwatts (mW) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
mW = MW × 1000000000
About Megawatts
A megawatt (MW) is 10⁶ W - the standard unit for utility power plant output. A coal unit produces 300-900 MW; a large nuclear reactor 1,000-1,600 MW. Offshore wind turbines reach 15 MW each (Vestas V236-15.0). The Three Gorges Dam totals 22,500 MW. Aluminium smelters consume 500-600 MW; electric arc furnaces 100-300 MW. Solar farms are rated in MWp; pharmaceutical clean-room HVAC systems in MW. 1 MW = 10⁶ W = 1,341 mechanical hp.
About Milliwatts
A milliwatt (mW) is 10⁻³ W - the power scale of consumer wireless communications. Wi-Fi access points transmit at 100 mW (20 dBm); mobile phones peak at up to 1,000 mW. A laser pointer emits 1-5 mW; an LED indicator 10 mW; Bluetooth Classic peaks at 100 mW. Standby power implications: 1 mW × 10⁹ devices × 1 year = 8,760 MWh - enough to power a small town, underscoring why milliwatt standby matters at scale. 1 mW = 10⁻³ W.
Quick Reference Table
| Megawatts (MW) | Milliwatts (mW) |
|---|---|
| 1 MW | 1000000000 mW |
| 2 MW | 2 × 109 mW |
| 5 MW | 5 × 109 mW |
| 10 MW | 1 × 1010 mW |
| 25 MW | 2.5 × 1010 mW |
| 50 MW | 5 × 1010 mW |
| 100 MW | 1 × 1011 mW |