Milliampere to Ampere Converter

This article will show how to convert electric current measurement units from milliamperes (mA) to amperes (A). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.

Definitions of Ampere and Milliampere

Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Ampere (A) and Milliampere (mA). Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.

What is an Ampere?

The ampere (A) is the SI base unit of electric current, representing the amount of charge flowing through a conductor per second.^[1] It is defined based on the elementary charge (e), where 1 A = 1 coulomb per second (C/s).

"Amp" is an informal abbreviation commonly used in everyday conversation and electrical contexts, though "A" remains the official SI unit symbol.

Ampere Definition and Illustration — What is an Ampere? The definition and illustration.

According to SI prefixes^[2], which are based on powers of 10, an ampere (1 A) is equivalent to one thousand milliamperes (10³ mA or 1,000 mA).

What is a Milliampere?

A milliampere (mA) is a unit of electric current in the SI system equal to one thousandth (1/1,000) of an ampere (0.001 A).

What is Milliampere (mA)? — What is a Milliampere (mA)?

Milliamps are simply amps divided by 1,000, like breaking a dollar into pennies. They’re the standard unit for devices such as phones, LED bulbs, or fitness trackers, where currents are tiny. Milliamps simplify design, troubleshooting, and documentation, keeping numbers clean and reducing errors.

mA to A 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 milli- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 10^-3 (0.001). So, to convert from milliamps to amps, divide the number of milliamps (I_(mA)) by 1,000.

I_(A) = I_(mA) ÷ 10³ = I_(mA) ÷ 1,000

\text{I}_\text{(A)} = \frac{\text{I}_\text{(mA)}}{1{,}000}

Or remember the mA-to-A conversion factor: 1 mA = 10^-3 = 0.001 A

mA to A conversion table

The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting electric current measurement units from milliamperes (mA) to amperes (A). It covers a range from 0.1 mA to 1,000 mA, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.

Millimaperes (mA)	Amperes (A)
0.1 mA	0.0001 A
0.5 mA	0.0005 A
1 mA	0.001 A
2 mA	0.002 A
4 mA	0.004 A
5 mA	0.005 A
10 mA	0.01 A
20 mA	0.02 A
30 mA	0.03 A
40 mA	0.04 A
50 mA	0.05 A
60 mA	0.06 A
70 mA	0.07 A
80 mA	0.08 A
90 mA	0.09 A
100 mA	0.1 A
200 mA	0.2 A
500 mA	0.5 A
800 mA	0.8 A
1,000 mA	1 A

Milliamps (mA) to amps (A) conversion table

Examples

Now, let's look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from milliamperes to amperes (mA to A).

Example: Battery Discharge Analysis

Evaluating battery discharge in portable devices requires understanding the current consumption on a scale that aligns with the battery capacity ratings. Converting a current value from milliamperes to amperes makes the analysis more straightforward.

If a device discharges at 1,200 mA under load, how many amperes is that? You need it to assess battery performance and system efficiency.

Solution

Since 1 ampere (A) = 10³ = 1,000 milliamperes (mA), we can convert 1,200 mA to amperes by using the following formula:

$$\text{I}_\text{(A)} = \frac{\text{I}_\text{(mA)}}{1{,}000}$$

$$\text{I}_\text{(A)} = \frac{1{,}200}{1{,}000} = \boxed{1.2 \text{ A}}$$

Therefore, the 1,200 mA electric current is equivalent to 1.2 A.

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

Enter the value in milliamperes: For this example, enter 1,200 into the From box.
View the result: The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in amperes: 1.2 A.

Milliamperes to Amperes Converter Example — Steps to convert from milliamperes to amperes with our calculator

FAQs

Is 1 milliampere or 1 ampere larger?

An ampere (A) is a thousand times bigger than a milliampere (mA). Here are the relationships between the units:

1 A = 10³ = 1,000 mA
1 mA = 10^-3 = 1 ÷ 1,000 = 0.001 A

How to convert from milliamperes to amperes?

To convert electric current from milliamperes (mA) to amperes (A), follow these simple steps:

Write down the electric current value in milliamperes (mA).
Multiply it by the value of a mA-to-A conversion factor: 10^-3 or 0.001.
The result of multiplication is the value of the electric current in amperes (A).

Why do I need to convert milliamperes to amperes?

Converting milliamperes to amperes provides a consistent unit system for analyzing and comparing electrical currents. It simplifies calculations by standardizing measurements, allowing you to easily incorporate readings into systems and datasheets where amperes are the standard unit.

This conversion is especially useful in applications such as power supply design, circuit analysis, and component testing. It ensures accuracy and clarity when comparing small-scale currents with the larger currents typically documented in technical specifications.

You now know how to convert electric current from milliamperes (mA) to amperes (A). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the electric current measurement units to save time for future calculations.