Convert Milliwatts to Megawatts
Convert Milliwatts (mW) to Megawatts (MW) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
MW = mW × 1.000000000e-9
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.
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.
Quick Reference Table
| Milliwatts (mW) | Megawatts (MW) |
|---|---|
| 1 mW | 1 × 10-9 MW |
| 2 mW | 2 × 10-9 MW |
| 5 mW | 5 × 10-9 MW |
| 10 mW | 1 × 10-8 MW |
| 25 mW | 2.5 × 10-8 MW |
| 50 mW | 5 × 10-8 MW |
| 100 mW | 1 × 10-7 MW |