Current Converter
Convert between different electric current units including Amperes, Milliamperes, Kiloamperes, Biots, Statamperes, and more.
Result
1 Ampere = 1000 Milliampere
Complete Guide to Electric Current Conversion
Electric current conversion is essential across electrical engineering, electronics design, circuit analysis, power systems, and physics research. Whether you're calculating current flow in Amperes, measuring small currents in Milliamperes, analyzing large currents in Kiloamperes, working with CGS electromagnetic units in Biots or Abamperes, converting CGS electrostatic units in Statamperes, or converting between different electric current units, our free online current converter makes it easy to convert between Amperes, Milliamperes, Kiloamperes, Microamperes, Biots, Abamperes, Statamperes, EMU of current, ESU of current, CGS e.m. units, CGS e.s. units, and other electric current units instantly. Understanding electric current units and conversions is crucial for accurate measurements in electrical engineering, electronics, circuit design, power distribution, and physics research applications.
Understanding Electric Current Measurement Units
Electric current is the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor. Different industries and applications use various current units, each suited to specific measurement scales and contexts. From tiny nanoampere currents in electronics to massive kiloampere currents in power systems, understanding these units helps bridge different engineering disciplines and applications.
SI Units (Metric System)
Ampere (A) - The Base Unit
The Ampere is the SI base unit for electric current, named after French physicist André-Marie Ampère. One Ampere equals one Coulomb per second (1 A = 1 C/s). A current of 1 A means 1 coulomb of charge flows through a point in one second.
Ampere Multiples
- Kiloampere (kA): 1,000 A - Large power systems, industrial applications
- Megaampere (MA): 1,000,000 A - Lightning strikes, extreme electrical phenomena
Ampere Submultiples
- Milliampere (mA): 0.001 A - Small electronic circuits, sensors
- Microampere (µA): 0.000001 A - Low-power electronics, leakage currents
- Nanoampere (nA): 0.000000001 A - Precision measurements, semiconductor devices
- Picoampere (pA): 0.000000000001 A - Ultra-sensitive measurements, research
CGS Electromagnetic Units (EMU)
Biot (Bi) and Abampere (abA)
The Biot and Abampere are CGS electromagnetic units where 1 biot = 1 abampere = 10 amperes. These units are used in the CGS electromagnetic unit system for certain physics calculations. EMU of current and CGS e.m. unit are equivalent to biot/abampere.
CGS Electrostatic Units (ESU)
Statampere (stA)
The Statampere is a CGS electrostatic unit where 1 statampere = 3.335641 × 10⁻¹⁰ amperes. ESU of current and CGS e.s. unit are equivalent to statampere. These units are used in the CGS electrostatic unit system for certain physics calculations.
How to Convert Ampere to Milliampere
Converting Amperes to Milliamperes is one of the most common current conversions, especially for electronics and circuit design. To convert from Amperes to Milliamperes, multiply the Ampere value by 1,000. This conversion factor comes from the definition: 1 milliampere = 0.001 ampere exactly. For example, 0.5 A × 1,000 = 500 mA. This conversion is essential for understanding current ratings in electronic components, circuit analysis, and small-signal measurements where milliamperes are more convenient than amperes.
Current vs Charge: Understanding the Difference
One of the most important concepts in current conversion is understanding the difference between current and charge:
- Current (I): The rate at which charge flows, measured in Amperes. It's instantaneous - how fast charge is moving (1 A = 1 C/s).
- Charge (Q): The total amount of electric charge, measured in Coulombs. It's cumulative - the total charge that has flowed.
The relationship is: Current × Time = Charge, or I × t = Q. For example, a current of 2 A flowing for 5 seconds transfers 10 C of charge. Understanding this distinction is crucial for battery calculations, capacitor charging, and electrical circuit analysis.
Current Conversion Formulas
Our current converter uses these precise formulas for accurate conversions:
Ampere to Milliampere:
mA = A × 1,000
Milliampere to Ampere:
A = mA ÷ 1,000
Ampere to Kiloampere:
kA = A ÷ 1,000
Kiloampere to Ampere:
A = kA × 1,000
Ampere to Microampere:
µA = A × 1,000,000
Microampere to Ampere:
A = µA ÷ 1,000,000
Ampere to Biot/Abampere:
Bi = abA = A ÷ 10
Biot/Abampere to Ampere:
A = Bi × 10 = abA × 10
Ampere to Statampere:
stA = A × 2.99792458 × 10⁹
Statampere to Ampere:
A = stA × 3.335641 × 10⁻¹⁰
Current Conversion Table
Quick reference for converting between common current units:
| Unit | Amperes (A) | Milliamperes (mA) | Kiloamperes (kA) | Biot/Abampere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Ampere | 1 | 1,000 | 0.001 | 0.1 |
| 1 Milliampere | 0.001 | 1 | 0.000001 | 0.0001 |
| 1 Kiloampere | 1,000 | 1,000,000 | 1 | 100 |
| 1 Microampere | 0.000001 | 0.001 | 0.000000001 | 0.0000001 |
| 1 Biot/Abampere | 10 | 10,000 | 0.01 | 1 |
| 1 Statampere | 3.336 × 10⁻¹⁰ | 3.336 × 10⁻⁷ | 3.336 × 10⁻¹³ | 3.336 × 10⁻¹¹ |
| 0.1 A | 0.1 | 100 | 0.0001 | 0.01 |
| 0.5 A | 0.5 | 500 | 0.0005 | 0.05 |
| 2 A | 2 | 2,000 | 0.002 | 0.2 |
| 5 A | 5 | 5,000 | 0.005 | 0.5 |
| 10 A | 10 | 10,000 | 0.01 | 1 |
| 50 A | 50 | 50,000 | 0.05 | 5 |
| 100 A | 100 | 100,000 | 0.1 | 10 |
| 500 A | 500 | 500,000 | 0.5 | 50 |
| 1,000 A | 1,000 | 1,000,000 | 1 | 100 |
| 5,000 A | 5,000 | 5,000,000 | 5 | 500 |
| 10,000 A | 10,000 | 10,000,000 | 10 | 1,000 |
| 50,000 A | 50,000 | 50,000,000 | 50 | 5,000 |
| 100,000 A | 100,000 | 100,000,000 | 100 | 10,000 |
| 500 mA | 0.5 | 500 | 0.0005 | 0.05 |
Common Current Conversion Examples
Electronics (Amperes to Milliamperes):
- 0.001 A = 1 mA
- 0.01 A = 10 mA
- 0.1 A = 100 mA
- 0.5 A = 500 mA
- 1 A = 1,000 mA
- 2 A = 2,000 mA
- 5 A = 5,000 mA
Power Systems (Amperes to Kiloamperes):
- 1,000 A = 1 kA
- 5,000 A = 5 kA
- 10,000 A = 10 kA
- 50,000 A = 50 kA
- 100,000 A = 100 kA
- 500,000 A = 500 kA
- 1,000,000 A = 1,000 kA
CGS Units (Amperes to Biots):
- 1 A = 0.1 Bi
- 10 A = 1 Bi
- 100 A = 10 Bi
- 1,000 A = 100 Bi
- 10,000 A = 1,000 Bi
- 1 Bi = 10 A
- 10 Bi = 100 A
Charge Transfer Calculations:
- 1 A × 1 s = 1 C charge
- 2 A × 5 s = 10 C charge
- 100 mA × 10 s = 1 C charge
- 500 mA × 2 s = 1 C charge
- 1 A × 3600 s = 3,600 C = 1 A·h
- 10 A × 1 h = 10 A·h
- 0.5 A × 20 h = 10 A·h
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I convert Amperes to Milliamperes?
To convert Amperes to Milliamperes, multiply the Ampere value by 1,000. The formula is: Milliamperes = Amperes × 1,000. For example, 0.5 A = 0.5 × 1,000 = 500 mA. One milliampere equals exactly 0.001 ampere by definition.
How many Amperes are in 1 Milliampere?
One Milliampere equals 0.001 Amperes. To convert Milliamperes to Amperes, divide the mA value by 1,000. For example, 500 mA = 500 ÷ 1,000 = 0.5 A. This conversion is essential for understanding current ratings in electronic components and circuit analysis.
What is the difference between current and charge?
Current (I) is the rate at which charge flows, measured in Amperes (1 A = 1 C/s). Charge (Q) is the total amount of electric charge, measured in Coulombs. The relationship is: Current × Time = Charge, or I × t = Q. For example, a current of 2 A flowing for 5 seconds transfers 10 C of charge.
How do I convert Amperes to Kiloamperes?
To convert Amperes to Kiloamperes, divide the Ampere value by 1,000. The formula is: Kiloamperes = Amperes ÷ 1,000. For example, 5,000 A = 5,000 ÷ 1,000 = 5 kA. This conversion is commonly used for large power systems and industrial applications.
What is an Ampere in simple terms?
An Ampere is the SI unit of electric current, representing the rate of flow of electric charge. One Ampere equals one Coulomb per second. In practical terms, a current of 1 A means 1 coulomb of charge flows through a point in one second. It's named after French physicist André-Marie Ampère.
How do I convert Biot/Abampere to Amperes?
To convert Biot or Abampere to Amperes, multiply the Bi/abA value by 10. The formula is: Amperes = Biot × 10 = Abampere × 10. For example, 5 Bi = 5 × 10 = 50 A. One Biot equals 10 Amperes, so 1 Bi = 10 A.
How do I convert Microamperes to Amperes?
To convert Microamperes to Amperes, divide the Microampere value by 1,000,000. The formula is: Amperes = Microamperes ÷ 1,000,000. For example, 500 µA = 500 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.0005 A. One microampere equals exactly 0.000001 ampere by definition.
How do I convert Statampere to Ampere?
To convert Statampere to Ampere, multiply the statampere value by 3.335641 × 10⁻¹⁰. The formula is: Amperes = Statamperes × 3.335641 × 10⁻¹⁰. For example, 1,000,000,000 stA = 1,000,000,000 × 3.335641 × 10⁻¹⁰ = 0.3336 A. Statamperes are used in the CGS electrostatic unit system.
Can I use this current converter for circuit calculations?
Yes! This current converter is perfect for circuit calculations. Electronic circuits often use current measurements in Amperes, Milliamperes, or Microamperes. Convert between units to analyze circuit behavior, calculate power consumption, and understand component ratings. For example, a current of 100 mA = 0.1 A = 100,000 µA.
What is the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance?
Ohm's law states: Voltage = Current × Resistance, or V = I × R. This means current (I) equals voltage (V) divided by resistance (R): I = V / R. For example, 12 V across 4 Ω resistance = 12 ÷ 4 = 3 A current. Understanding this relationship is fundamental to electrical circuit analysis.
How do I convert between SI and CGS current units?
To convert between SI (Ampere) and CGS electromagnetic units: 1 A = 0.1 Bi = 0.1 abA, and 1 Bi = 1 abA = 10 A. For CGS electrostatic units: 1 A = 2.99792458 × 10⁹ stA, and 1 stA = 3.335641 × 10⁻¹⁰ A. The conversion factors differ between EMU and ESU systems.
What units are supported in this current converter?
Our current converter supports 13+ units including: Ampere (A), Kiloampere (kA), Milliampere (mA), Microampere (µA), Nanoampere (nA), Picoampere (pA), Biot (Bi), Abampere (abA), EMU of current, Statampere (stA), ESU of current, CGS e.m. unit, and CGS e.s. unit. All conversions use precise conversion factors based on international standards.
How accurate is this current converter?
Our current converter uses precise conversion factors based on international standards. Results are calculated with high precision and automatically formatted for optimal readability. All conversions follow official SI unit definitions and internationally recognized current unit relationships.
What is a Biot in current measurement?
A Biot is a CGS electromagnetic unit where 1 biot = 10 amperes. It's named after French physicist Jean-Baptiste Biot. Biots are used in the CGS electromagnetic unit system for certain physics calculations. The Abampere is equivalent to the Biot.
How do I calculate charge from current?
To calculate charge from current, multiply the current by the time: Q = I × t, where Q is charge in Coulombs, I is current in Amperes, and t is time in seconds. For example, 2 A × 5 s = 10 C charge. For battery capacity, 1 A × 1 h = 1 A·h = 3,600 C.
Real-World Applications
Electronics and Circuit Design
Current conversion is fundamental in electronics for analyzing circuit behavior, calculating power consumption, and understanding component ratings. Converting between Amperes, Milliamperes, and Microamperes helps engineers design efficient circuits, analyze signal levels, and optimize power consumption in electronic devices.
Power Systems
Large-scale power systems use Kiloamperes for current measurements. Converting between Amperes and Kiloamperes helps electrical engineers design power distribution systems, analyze load currents, and optimize power transmission in industrial and utility applications.
Battery Technology
Battery current ratings are often specified in Amperes or Milliamperes. Converting between these units helps engineers calculate charging/discharging currents, analyze battery capacity, and design battery management systems. Understanding current conversions is essential for battery sizing and performance analysis.
Physics Research
CGS current units (Biot, Statampere) are used in physics research for certain calculations. Converting between SI and CGS units helps researchers work with different measurement systems and understand fundamental relationships in electromagnetism.
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Tips for Current Conversion
- Quick Approximation: For A to mA, multiply by 1,000 (exact conversion)
- Remember Key Values: 1 mA = 0.001 A, 1 kA = 1,000 A, 1 Bi = 10 A
- Charge Calculation: Q = I × t - multiply current by time to get charge
- Ohm's Law: I = V / R - current equals voltage divided by resistance
- CGS Units: 1 Bi = 10 A, 1 stA = 3.336 × 10⁻¹⁰ A
- Battery Capacity: Current × Time = Charge - 1 A × 1 h = 1 A·h = 3,600 C