Introduction
This kVA to Amps calculator converts apparent power in kilovolt-amperes (kVA) to current in amperes (A). Just enter your kVA value and voltage, pick single phase or three phase, and the tool calculates the amps. It works for both line-to-line and line-to-neutral three-phase systems. You also get a breakdown of the calculation and a chart that shows how current changes as voltage goes up or down.
Electricians, engineers, and students use this conversion to size wires, breakers, and other equipment. Knowing the full load amps from a kVA rating helps you make safe choices when working with transformers, generators, and electrical panels. Instead of doing the formula by hand, this calculator gives you a fast and accurate answer every time.
How to Use Our kVA to Amps Calculator
Enter your power and voltage values below, and this calculator will instantly convert kVA to amps for single phase or three phase systems.
Phase Type: Pick either Single Phase or Three Phase. This tells the calculator what kind of electrical system you have.
Voltage Type (Three Phase only): If you chose Three Phase, select whether your voltage is measured Line to Line or Line to Neutral.
Apparent Power (kVA): Type in your apparent power in kilovolt-amperes. This number must be greater than zero.
Voltage (Volts): Type in your voltage in volts. This number must be greater than zero.
Calculate: Press the Calculate button to get your result in amps. The tool also shows the formula used, a full breakdown of your inputs, and a chart of current vs. voltage.
Reset: Press the Reset button to clear all inputs and start over with the default values.
What Is a kVA to Amps Conversion?
kVA stands for kilovolt-amperes. It measures the apparent power in an electrical system.1 Amps (short for amperes) measure the current flowing through a wire. When you know the kVA and the voltage of a system, you can figure out how many amps are flowing.1 This is useful when sizing wires, breakers, or other electrical equipment.
How to Convert kVA to Amps
The formula depends on whether your system is single phase or three phase.
Single Phase Formula
For a single phase system, the formula is:
Amps = (kVA × 1000) ÷ Volts1
You multiply the kVA by 1,000 to convert it to volt-amperes (VA), then divide by the voltage.
Three Phase Formulas
For a three phase system using line-to-line voltage:
Amps = (kVA × 1000) ÷ (√3 × Volts)1
The √3 (square root of 3) equals about 1.732. This factor comes from the phase difference between the lines: line-to-line voltage is about 1.73 times line-to-neutral voltage.3
For a three phase system using line-to-neutral voltage:
Amps = (kVA × 1000) ÷ (3 × Volts)1
Here you multiply the voltage by 3 instead of √3 because line-to-neutral voltage is √3 times lower than line-to-line voltage, and √3 × √3 = 3.1
When You Need This Conversion
Generators carry a capacity rating in kVA on their nameplates.1 Transformers are rated in kVA too.2 UPS systems often are as well. However, wire sizes, fuses, and circuit breakers are rated in amps. Converting kVA to amps helps you pick the right parts for your electrical setup. For example, if a transformer is rated at 50 kVA and runs at 240 volts single phase, you can calculate that it delivers about 208.3 amps. That tells you what size wire and breaker you need. The voltage drop calculator lets you verify that your wire runs won't lose too much voltage over distance.
When sizing a backup generator for a building, the generator sizing calculator confirms that your generator's kVA rating provides enough amperage for the connected loads.
kVA vs. kW
kVA and kW are not the same thing. kW (kilowatts) measures real power, the power that actually does work.4 kVA measures apparent power, which includes both real power and reactive power.1 In a purely resistive load like a heater, kVA equals kW.5 In systems with motors or other inductive loads, kVA is higher than kW.3 The ratio between them is called the power factor.1