Specific Heat Calculator

How to use q = mcΔT

1. Choose what to calculate: heat, mass, specific heat or temperature change.
2. Choose a material to fill in its specific heat, or Other to type your own.
3. Enter the other values; the result appears with the heat in kJ, calories and BTU.

Frequently asked questions

What is the formula?

q = m × c × ΔT: the heat in joules equals the mass in grams times the specific heat in J/g·°C times the temperature change in °C. Heating 100 g of water by 50 °C takes 100 × 4.184 × 50 = 20,920 J.

Does it work across a melting or boiling point?

No. At a change of state the temperature stays the same while heat goes into melting or boiling, so add the latent heat for that step separately: about 334 J/g to melt ice and 2,260 J/g to boil water.

Is ΔT in °C or K?

Either: a change of 1 °C is the same as a change of 1 K.