Reactive Power Converter
Fast, accurate reactive Power conversions, right in your browser.
The Reactive Power Converter converts between volt-amperes reactive (VAR), kilovar, and related units — reactive power doesn't do usable work but is still drawn from the grid by inductive loads like motors, making its measurement important for electrical system sizing.
How to Convert
- Enter your value and select the starting unit
- Choose your target unit
- The converted result appears instantly
Frequently Asked Questions
What is reactive power, and what units does this converter use?
Reactive power is measured in volt-amperes reactive (VAR, kVAR, MVAR) — the power that oscillates between source and load in AC circuits without doing useful work.
What's the difference between real power and reactive power?
Real power (watts) does actual useful work, while reactive power (VAR) is associated with the energy storage elements (inductors and capacitors) in an AC circuit and doesn't perform work directly.
Is this tool useful for electrical engineering work?
Yes — converting between VAR, kVAR, and MVAR is a routine task when working with AC power systems, motor specifications, and power factor correction calculations.
How many VAR are in a kVAR?
1,000 VAR equal one kVAR.
Is this tool free to use?
Yes, completely free with no signup, no limits and no software to install.
Is my data saved anywhere?
No — conversions run in your browser and the values you enter are not stored or sent to a server.
Why does reactive power matter for electrical grids?
Excess reactive power can reduce grid efficiency and cause voltage instability, which is why utilities often charge industrial customers for poor power factor and require correction equipment.
How is reactive power related to power factor?
Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power — higher reactive power relative to real power results in a lower (worse) power factor.
What equipment typically generates reactive power?
Inductive loads like motors, transformers, and fluorescent lighting ballasts are common sources of reactive power in electrical systems.
Can reactive power be negative?
Yes — capacitive loads produce negative reactive power (relative to inductive loads), which is why capacitor banks are used to offset inductive reactive power for correction.
