Gigavolt to Kilovolt (GV to kV) Converter

This article will show how to convert voltage measurement units from gigavolts (GV) to kilovolts (kV). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.

Definitions of Volt, Gigavolt, and Kilovolt

Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Volt (V), Gigavolt (GV) and Kilovolt (kV). Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.

What is Volt (V)?

A volt (V) is the SI (International System of Units) unit of electric potential and voltage. It measures the difference in electric energy between two points in a circuit. One volt means one ampere of current uses one watt of power.^[1]

According to SI prefixes^[2], which are based on powers of 10, a volt (1 V) is equivalent to one-billionth (1/1,000,000,000) gigavolts, or 10^-9 GV, or 0.000000001 GV.

Definition and illustration of a volt. — What is a Volt? The definition and illustration.

What is Gigavolt (GV)?

A gigavolt (GV) is a unit of electrical potential equal to one billion volts (1,000,000,000 V). This measurement is used in applications involving extreme voltage levels that standard voltage units cannot effectively represent.

What is Kilovolt (kV)?

A kilovolt (kV) is a unit of electrical potential equal to one thousand volts (1,000 V). Think of it like measuring water pressure in a garden hose versus a fire hydrant. Kilovolts help quantify high-voltage systems where standard voltage measurements are too small to be practical.

GV to kV formula

Let’s take a closer look at the conversion formula so you can carry out these conversions independently, whether using a calculator or doing it manually with pencil and paper.

The giga- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 10⁹ (1,000,000,000) while the kilo- represents a multiplier of 10³ (1,000).

So, to convert from gigavolts to kilovolts, multiply the number of gigavolts (V_(GV)) by 10⁶ or 1,000,000.

V_(kV) = V_(GV) × 10⁶ = V_(GV) × 1,000,000

\text{V}_\text{(kV)} = \text{V}_\text{(GV)} \times 1{,}000{,}000

Or remember the GV-to-kV conversion factor: 1 GV = 10⁶ = 1,000,000 kV

GV to kV conversion table

The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting voltage measurement units from gigavolts (GV) to kilovolts (kV). It covers a range from 0.1 GV to 1,000 GV, allowing for easy and quick conversions between both units of measurement.

Gigavolts (GV)	Kilovolts (kV)
0.1 GV	100,000 kV
0.5 GV	500,000 kV
1 GV	1,000,000 kV
2 GV	2,000,000 kV
4 GV	4,000,000 kV
5 GV	5,000,000 kV
10 GV	10,000,000 kV
20 GV	20,000,000 kV
30 GV	30,000,000 kV
40 GV	40,000,000 kV
50 GV	50,000,000 kV
60 GV	60,000,000 kV
70 GV	70,000,000 kV
80 GV	80,000,000 kV
90 GV	90,000,000 kV
100 GV	100,000,000 kV
200 GV	200,000,000 kV
500 GV	500,000,000 kV
800 GV	800,000,000 kV
1,000 GV	1,000,000,000 kV

Gigavolts (GV) to kilovolts (kV) conversion table

Examples

Now, let's look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from gigavolts to kilovolts (GV to kV).

Example: High-Energy Collider Voltage Scaling

Particle accelerators generate electric fields in gigavolts, but researchers need kilovolt-scale adjustments to refine beam energy and ensure stable particle interactions.

Your task is to convert 5.44 gigavolts to kilovolts to calibrate accelerator voltage for precision subatomic experiments.

Solution

Since 1 gigavolt (GV) = 10⁶ = 1,000,000 kilovolts (kV), we can convert 5.44 GV to kilovolts by using the following formula:

$$\text{V}_\text{(kV)} = \text{V}_\text{(GV)} \times 1{,}000{,}000$$

$$\text{V}_\text{(kV)} = 5.44 \times 1{,}000{,}000 = \boxed{5{,}440{,}000 \text{ kV}}$$

Therefore, the 5.44 GV is equivalent to 5,440,000 kV.

To solve the problem with our calculator, follow the steps below:

Enter the value in gigavolts: For this example, enter 5.44 into the From box.
View the result: The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in kilovolts: 5,440,000 kV.

Gigavolt to Kilovolt Converter Example — Steps to convert from gigavolts to kilovolts with our calculator

FAQs

Is 1 gigavolt or 1 kilovolt larger?

A gigavolt (GV) is a million times bigger than a kilovolt (kV). Here are the relationships between the units:

1 GV = 10⁶ = 1,000,000 kV
1 kV = 10^-6 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.000001 GV

How to convert from gigavolts to kilovolts?

To convert voltage from gigavolts (GV) to kilovolts (kV), follow these simple steps:

Write down the voltage value in gigavolts (GV).
Multiply it by the value of the GV-to-kV conversion factor: 10⁶ or 1,000,000.
The result of the multiplication is the value of the voltage in kilovolts (kV).

Why do I need to convert from gigavolts to kilovolts?

Gigavolts (GV) represent extremely high voltage, while kilovolts (kV) provide a more practical scale for power regulation, diagnostics, and equipment safety. Converting GV to kV is essential in particle physics, aerospace engineering, IT infrastructure, medical technology, and high-voltage power grids, where voltage needs to be adjusted for operational efficiency and compatibility.

This conversion ensures precise control, stable energy distribution, and optimized system performance in applications like superconducting circuits, spacecraft propulsion systems, cloud data centers, and advanced medical imaging.

You now know how to convert voltage from gigavolts (GV) to kilovolts (kV). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the voltage measurement units to save time for future calculations.