Physics

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Heat Capacity Calculator.

Calculate heat capacity and specific heat from heat and temperature change.

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Heat capacity: 418.6 J/K

Heat capacity

418.600000J/K
Specific heat: 418.6 J/(kg·K)

Specific heat

418.600000J/(kg·K)

Results update automatically as you type.

Use Cases

Determine material's specific heat

Use this calculator to find the specific heat of a material by measuring the heat added and the resulting temperature change for a known mass.

Example: If you add 5000 J to 2 kg of a substance and its temperature rises by 10 K, the specific heat is 250 J/(kg·K).

Calculate heat capacity of an object

For a given object, you can find its heat capacity by inputting the heat energy and temperature change, without needing mass.

Example: If 3000 J raises an object's temperature by 15 K, its heat capacity is 200 J/K.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between heat capacity and specific heat?
Heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of an object by 1 K. Specific heat is the heat capacity per unit mass, so it's the heat required to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1 K. This calculator computes both: heat capacity (J/K) and specific heat (J/(kg·K)).
How do I use this calculator?
Enter the heat energy in joules (J), the temperature change in kelvin (K), and the mass in kilograms (kg). The calculator will compute the heat capacity (J/K) and specific heat (J/(kg·K)).
What units should I use?
Use joules for heat energy, kelvin for temperature change, and kilograms for mass. The calculator will output heat capacity in J/K and specific heat in J/(kg·K).

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

  • Ensure temperature change is in kelvin (K). A change of 1 K equals a change of 1°C, so you can use Celsius differences directly.
  • Use consistent units: joules for heat, kilograms for mass, and kelvin for temperature change to get correct results.
  • For accurate specific heat, make sure the mass is measured precisely and the heat energy is the net heat absorbed by the substance.
  • Remember that specific heat is a property of the material, while heat capacity depends on the object's mass.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using absolute temperature instead of temperature change. The calculator expects the change in temperature, not the initial or final temperature.
  • Forgetting to convert mass to kilograms if you have it in grams. Use 1 kg = 1000 g.
  • Confusing heat capacity and specific heat: heat capacity is total (J/K), specific heat is per mass (J/(kg·K)).

Last updated: August 13, 2026