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How to use this calculator
Choose the formula (if there is more than one), choose what you want to find, then fill in the other values using the units shown. The calculator rearranges the formula, puts your numbers in, and shows every step.
How it's calculated
Heat energy Q = mcΔT, where c is the specific heat capacity. For melting or boiling, Q = mL, where L is the specific latent heat.
Worked example
Heating 2 kg of water (c = 4200 J/kg°C) by 30°C needs Q = 2 × 4200 × 30 = 252,000 J.
Frequently asked questions
What is specific heat capacity?
The energy needed to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C.
Why is there no temperature change when ice melts?
The energy goes into breaking bonds (latent heat) instead of raising temperature.
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Last updated October 2026. Results are for learning and guidance; always check important work. Calculations run in your browser and are not stored.