Kilovolt to Gigavolt Converter

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

Definitions of Volt, Kilovolt, and Gigavolt

Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Volt (V), Kilovolt (kV), and Gigavolt (GV). 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-thousandth kilovolts, or 10^-3 kV, or 0.001 kV.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Or remember the kV-to-GV conversion factor: 1 kV = 10^-6 = 0.000001 GV

kV to GV conversion table

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

Kilovolts (kV)	Gigavolts (GV)
0.1 kV	0.0000001 GV
0.5 kV	0.0000005 GV
1 kV	0.000001 GV
2 kV	0.000002 GV
4 kV	0.000004 GV
5 kV	0.000005 GV
10 kV	0.00001 GV
20 kV	0.00002 GV
30 kV	0.00003 GV
40 kV	0.00004 GV
50 kV	0.00005 GV
60 kV	0.00006 GV
70 kV	0.00007 GV
80 kV	0.00008 GV
90 kV	0.00009 GV
100 kV	0.0001 GV
200 kV	0.0002 GV
500 kV	0.0005 GV
800 kV	0.0008 GV
1,000 kV	0.001 GV

Kilovolts (kV) to Gigavolts (GV) conversion table

Examples

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

Example: Cosmic Radiation Voltage Analysis

Deep-space environments expose spacecraft to intense radiation levels measured in kilovolts. Astronomers convert these values to gigavolts to assess the long-term effects of cosmic rays on spacecraft electronics and astronaut safety.

How many gigavolts is 900,000 kilovolts to evaluate radiation exposure levels in deep-space missions?

Solution

Since 1 gigavolts (GV) = 1,000,000 kilovolts (kV), we can convert 900,000 kV to gigavolts by using the following formula:

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

$$\text{V}_\text{(GV)} = \frac{900{,}000}{1{,}000{,}000} = \boxed{0.9 \text{ GV}}$$

Therefore, the 900,000 kV output voltage of the radiation is equivalent to 0.9 GV.

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

Enter the value in kilovolts – For this example, enter 900,000 into the From box.
View the result – The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in gigavolts: 0.9 GV.

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

FAQs

Is 1 kilovolt or 1 gigavolt 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 kilovolts to gigavolts?

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

Write down the voltage value in kilovolts (kV).
Multiply it by the value of the kV-to-GV conversion factor: 10^-6 or 0.000001.
The result of the multiplication is the value of the voltage in gigavolts (GV).

Why do I need to convert from kilovolts to gigavolts?

Kilovolts (kV) represent high voltage levels, while gigavolts (GV) are used in extreme electrical applications such as lightning research, nuclear physics, and fusion energy systems. Converting kilovolts to gigavolts ensures compatibility with high-energy environments where massive voltage values need proper scaling for analysis.

This conversion simplifies calculations, improves accuracy in scientific modeling, and supports engineers working on ultra-high-voltage systems. Whether studying cosmic radiation, testing industrial transformers, or optimizing plasma containment in fusion reactors, gigavolt measurements provide a clearer representation of extreme electrical phenomena.

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