< class="breadcumb-title text-anim" data-cue="slideInUp" data-delay="300">Electric Potential Converter
Electric Potential Converter — Volt, Kilovolt, Megavolt, Abvolt & More | ASLI FORM

SI Units Converter

Convert between Volt, Millivolt, Microvolt, Kilovolt, Megavolt and other SI electric potential units with scientific precision.

Conversion Formula
1 Volt = 1000 Millivolts

Common Conversions

Quick reference table
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What is Electric Potential?

Electric potential (also known as voltage or potential difference) is the amount of work energy needed per unit of electric charge to move the charge from a reference point to a specific point in an electric field. It is one of the fundamental quantities in electromagnetism and electrical engineering.

In the International System of Units (SI), electric potential is measured in volts (V), named after Italian physicist Alessandro Volta (1745–1827), who invented the first chemical battery. One volt is defined as the potential difference that would drive one ampere of current through one ohm of resistance, or equivalently, one joule of energy per coulomb of charge.

  • SI Unit: Volt (V) 1 V = 1 J/C = 1 W/A = 1 Wb/s
  • Symbol: V Named after Alessandro Volta
  • Dimension: ML²T⁻³I⁻¹ Mass × Length² / (Time³ × Current)
  • Common Range From nanovolts (brain waves) to gigavolts (lightning)

Unit Systems Explained

Electric potential can be expressed in multiple unit systems, each developed for different scientific and engineering purposes. Understanding these systems helps you choose the right unit for your application.

  • SI Units (International System) The modern standard used worldwide. Includes volt, millivolt, microvolt, kilovolt, megavolt, gigavolt, and teravolt. Used in all engineering and scientific applications.
  • CGS Units (Centimeter-Gram-Second) Older system still used in theoretical physics. Includes abvolt (electromagnetic CGS) and statvolt (electrostatic CGS). 1 statvolt ≈ 299.79 volts.
  • Derived SI Units Units derived from fundamental SI quantities. Includes joule per coulomb (J/C), watt per ampere (W/A), and weber per second (Wb/s). All equal to 1 volt by definition.
  • Natural Units Units based on fundamental physical constants. Includes Planck voltage (~1.04 × 10²⁷ V) and atomic unit of potential (~27.21 V). Used in theoretical physics and quantum mechanics.

Real-World Applications

Electric potential measurements are critical across numerous fields. Here are common voltage levels you'll encounter in everyday life and specialized applications.

  • Human Body: 1-100 mV Brain waves (EEG): ~100 μV, Heart signals (ECG): ~1 mV, Nerve impulses: ~70 mV
  • Household: 110-240 V US/Canada: 120V, Europe/India: 230V, Japan: 100V. Used for lighting, appliances, and electronics.
  • Power Transmission: 110-765 kV High-voltage transmission lines carry electricity across countries at 110 kV to 765 kV.
  • Lightning: 100 MV to 1 GV A typical lightning bolt carries 100 million to 1 billion volts, delivering enormous energy in milliseconds.
  • Particle Accelerators: TV range Large Hadron Collider operates at teravolt potentials to accelerate particles to near light speed.
  • Electronics: mV to V range Microprocessors: ~1V, USB: 5V, Car battery: 12V, Laptop: 19V, Smartphone: 3.7-4.2V

Safety Information

Understanding voltage levels is crucial for electrical safety. While voltage alone doesn't determine danger (current and duration matter too), here are general safety guidelines.

  • Safe: Below 50 V AC / 120 V DC Generally considered safe for human contact under normal dry conditions.
  • Caution: 50-1000 V Household voltages (120-240V) can be lethal. Always use proper insulation and safety equipment.
  • Dangerous: Above 1000 V High voltage can arc through air. Requires specialized training and equipment to handle safely.
  • Always Follow Safety Protocols Never work on live circuits without proper training. Use lockout/tagout procedures. Consult qualified electricians.

How to Use This Converter

Our electric potential converter is engineered for speed, precision, and ease of use. Follow these steps to get accurate conversions instantly.

  • Select a Unit System Choose from SI Units, CGS Units, Derived Units, or Natural Units using the sidebar.
  • Choose Source Unit Pick the unit you want to convert from in the first dropdown.
  • Choose Target Unit Select the unit you want to convert to in the second dropdown.
  • Enter Value Type your number — the result appears instantly as you type.
  • Swap Units Click the swap button to instantly reverse the conversion direction.
  • View Formula The exact conversion formula is displayed below for verification.

Why Professionals Choose ASLI FORM

Built with precision engineering and premium design, our converter meets the demands of physicists, electrical engineers, and professionals.

  • Scientific Precision Results accurate to 10 significant digits using NIST-standard conversion factors.
  • Multiple Unit Systems SI, CGS electromagnetic, CGS electrostatic, derived, and natural units all in one tool.
  • Instant Results Real-time conversion as you type — no buttons to click, no waiting.
  • Works Offline All calculations run locally in your browser. Perfect for field work and laboratories.
  • Universal Compatibility From basic keypad phones to 4K displays — works on every device and operating system.
  • Zero Tracking No cookies, no analytics, no data collection. Your privacy is absolute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Electric potential refers to the potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field, measured relative to a reference point (usually infinity or ground). Voltage (or potential difference) is the difference in electric potential between two points.

In practical usage, the terms are often used interchangeably. Both are measured in volts (V) in the SI system. The key distinction is that electric potential is an absolute value at one point, while voltage is always a difference between two points.
The SI unit of electric potential is the volt (V), named after Italian physicist Alessandro Volta (1745–1827), who invented the voltaic pile — the first chemical battery.

One volt is defined as:
  • 1 joule of energy per coulomb of charge (1 V = 1 J/C)
  • The potential difference that drives 1 ampere through 1 ohm (1 V = 1 A × 1 Ω)
  • 1 watt of power per ampere of current (1 V = 1 W/A)
  • 1 weber of magnetic flux per second (1 V = 1 Wb/s)
The abvolt is the unit of electric potential in the CGS electromagnetic system (centimeter-gram-second).

1 abvolt = 10⁻ volts (one hundred-millionth of a volt).

It is defined as the potential difference that will cause a current of one abampere to flow through a conductor with a resistance of one abohm. The abvolt is rarely used in modern engineering but appears in older physics literature and some theoretical physics contexts.
The statvolt is the unit of electric potential in the CGS electrostatic system.

1 statvolt = 299.792458 volts (exactly c/10⁶ volts, where c is the speed of light in m/s).

It is defined as the potential difference that exerts a force of one dyne on a charge of one statcoulomb. The statvolt is approximately 300 volts and is used in some theoretical physics contexts, particularly in older literature on electromagnetism.
Planck voltage is the unit of electric potential in the system of natural units known as Planck units, which are derived from fundamental physical constants.

1 Planck voltage ≈ 1.04295 × 10²⁷ volts

It is calculated from the speed of light (c), gravitational constant (G), reduced Planck constant (ℏ), Coulomb constant (1/4πε₀), and elementary charge (e). Planck voltage represents an extremely high potential that occurs only in theoretical physics, particularly in quantum gravity and cosmology. It is far beyond any voltage encountered in practical applications.
The atomic unit of electric potential (also called the Hartree per elementary charge) is the natural unit of electric potential in atomic physics.

1 atomic unit ≈ 27.211386245988 volts

It equals the electric potential at a distance of one Bohr radius from a proton (the potential experienced by an electron in the ground state of hydrogen). This unit is widely used in quantum chemistry and atomic physics calculations.
Converting between CGS and SI electric potential units requires specific conversion factors:
  • Abvolt to Volt: Multiply by 10⁻⁸ (1 abV = 10⁻⁸ V)
  • Statvolt to Volt: Multiply by 299.792458 (1 statV ≈ 299.79 V)
  • Volt to Abvolt: Multiply by 10⁸
  • Volt to Statvolt: Divide by 299.792458
Our converter handles these conversions automatically. Simply select the source and target units, and the result appears instantly.
Derived SI units for electric potential are expressions of the volt in terms of other SI base units. All of these are exactly equal to 1 volt:
  • Joule per coulomb (J/C): Energy per unit charge
  • Watt per ampere (W/A): Power per unit current
  • Weber per second (Wb/s): Rate of change of magnetic flux
  • Kilogram meter² per second³ ampere (kg·m²/(s³·A)): SI base unit expression
These derived units are useful in different contexts — J/C in energy calculations, W/A in power systems, and Wb/s in electromagnetic induction.
Yes. Our converter uses scientifically-verified conversion factors from the International System of Units (SI), NIST standards, and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).

Results are accurate to 10 significant digits, which exceeds the precision requirements for virtually all engineering, scientific, and educational applications. For the CGS-to-SI conversions involving the speed of light, we use the exact defined value of c = 299,792,458 m/s.
Yes. Once the page loads, all calculations happen locally in your browser. There is no server-side processing, no API calls, and no internet dependency for conversions.

This makes the tool perfect for:
  • Laboratory work with limited connectivity
  • Field engineering in remote locations
  • Educational settings without reliable internet
  • Privacy-conscious users who prefer local computation
While voltage alone doesn't determine danger (current and duration matter too), here are general guidelines:
  • Below 50 V AC / 120 V DC: Generally safe under normal dry conditions
  • 50-1000 V: Potentially lethal — household voltages (120-240V) can be fatal
  • Above 1000 V: Extremely dangerous — can arc through air
Important: Even low voltages can be dangerous in wet conditions or with certain medical conditions. Always follow proper electrical safety protocols and consult qualified electricians for any work involving live circuits.
The volt is named after Alessandro Volta (1745–1827), an Italian physicist who invented the voltaic pile in 1800 — the first chemical battery capable of producing a steady electric current.

The unit was officially adopted by the International Electrical Congress in 1881. It was later incorporated into the International System of Units (SI) when the system was established in 1960.

Since 1990, the volt has been defined in terms of the Josephson effect, using the Josephson constant K_J = 2e/h, where e is the elementary charge and h is the Planck constant. This provides an extremely precise and reproducible standard.

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