Ampere-hours to Milliampere-hours Converter
Additional Conversion:
1 Ampere-hour (Ah) = 1000 Milliampere-hours (mAh)
1 Milliampere-hour (mAh) = 0.001 Ampere-hours (Ah)
Conversion Formula:
Q(mAh) = Q(Ah) × 1000
Example:
Convert 3 ampere-hours to milliampere-hours:
Q(mAh) = 3Ah × 1000 = 3000mAh
Conversion Result:
3 ampere-hours is equal to 3000 milliampere-hours.
Complete Guide to Ampere-hours to Milliampere-hours Conversion
Learn how to convert between battery capacity units and understand what these measurements mean for your devices
Understanding battery capacity is crucial when comparing power sources for electronic devices, electric vehicles, or energy storage systems. The two most common units for measuring battery capacity are ampere-hours (Ah) and milliampere-hours (mAh). While they measure the same thing - electrical charge capacity - they're used in different contexts and scales.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how to convert between these units, when to use each one, and how our converter tool can simplify these calculations.
What Are Ampere-hours and Milliampere-hours?
Definition
Ampere-hour (Ah) and milliampere-hour (mAh) are units of electric charge capacity, representing how much current a battery can deliver over time. They indicate how long a battery can power a device before needing recharge.
Think of these measurements as the "fuel tank" of your battery - a higher Ah or mAh rating means more capacity and longer runtime between charges.
Try Our Ah to mAh Converter
Quickly convert between ampere-hours and milliampere-hours with our easy-to-use calculator.
Ampere-hours to Milliampere-hours Converter
Key Concepts Explained
Ampere-hour (Ah)
A unit of electric charge capacity representing 1 amp of current flowing for 1 hour. Used for larger batteries like those in cars, solar systems, and electric vehicles.
Milliampere-hour (mAh)
A subunit of Ah where 1 Ah = 1000 mAh. Used for smaller batteries in consumer electronics like smartphones, tablets, and power banks.
The Relationship
Converting between Ah and mAh is straightforward: multiply Ah by 1000 to get mAh, or divide mAh by 1000 to get Ah.
Practical Meaning
These units tell you how long a battery can power a device. A 2000 mAh battery can deliver 2000 mA for 1 hour, or 1000 mA for 2 hours, etc.
Conversion Formulas
Ampere-hours to Milliampere-hours
Example: Convert 2.5 Ah to mAh:
Milliampere-hours to Ampere-hours
Example: Convert 5000 mAh to Ah:
Pro Tip: Remember the Relationship
The "milli" prefix means one-thousandth (1/1000), so there are always 1000 milliampere-hours in one ampere-hour. This makes conversions simple - just move the decimal point three places.
Common Conversion Examples
Here are some practical examples of Ah to mAh conversions for common battery sizes:
| Ampere-hours (Ah) | Milliampere-hours (mAh) | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 0.001 Ah | 1 mAh | Theoretical minimum |
| 0.1 Ah | 100 mAh | Small backup batteries |
| 1 Ah | 1000 mAh | Basic power banks |
| 2.2 Ah | 2200 mAh | Standard smartphone battery |
| 5 Ah | 5000 mAh | Large power banks, tablets |
| 10 Ah | 10,000 mAh | High-capacity power banks |
| 50 Ah | 50,000 mAh | E-bike batteries |
| 100 Ah | 100,000 mAh | Car batteries, solar storage |
Practical Applications
Consumer Electronics
Smartphones, tablets, and laptops typically use mAh ratings. For example:
- iPhone battery: ~3,000 mAh (3 Ah)
- Android smartphone: 4,000-5,000 mAh (4-5 Ah)
- Tablet: 7,000-10,000 mAh (7-10 Ah)
- Power bank: 10,000-20,000 mAh (10-20 Ah)
Electric Vehicles and Large Systems
Electric cars, solar energy storage, and industrial applications use Ah ratings:
- E-bike battery: 10-20 Ah
- Electric car battery: 50-100 Ah per cell (with many cells in series)
- Solar power storage: 100-500 Ah
- Car starting battery: 40-100 Ah
Important Note: Runtime Calculation
While Ah/mAh indicates capacity, actual runtime depends on the device's power consumption. A 4000 mAh battery will last:
- 4 hours at 1000 mA draw
- 8 hours at 500 mA draw
- 2 hours at 2000 mA draw
Higher consumption means shorter battery life, even with the same capacity.
How to Use Our Converter Tool
Step 1: Enter the Value
Input the number of ampere-hours (Ah) you want to convert in the provided field. You can use decimal values for precise calculations.
Step 2: Click Convert
Press the "Convert" button to instantly calculate the equivalent value in milliampere-hours (mAh).
Step 3: Read the Result
The converted value will appear below the input field, formatted for easy reading with comma separators for large numbers.
Step 4: Reset if Needed
Use the "Reset" button to clear both the input field and result for a new calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there two different units for battery capacity?
Ah is used for larger batteries where values would be small decimals if expressed in mAh (e.g., a 50 Ah car battery would be 50,000 mAh). mAh is used for smaller batteries where whole numbers are more convenient (e.g., a 4,000 mAh phone battery instead of 4 Ah).
Is a higher mAh/Ah rating always better?
Generally, yes - higher capacity means longer runtime. However, higher capacity batteries are also larger, heavier, and more expensive. The ideal capacity depends on your specific needs and portability requirements.
Can I directly compare mAh ratings between different devices?
You can compare capacity, but actual battery life also depends on the device's power efficiency. A device with better power management may last longer with the same battery capacity as a less efficient device.
Why do some batteries show Wh (watt-hours) instead of Ah/mAh?
Watt-hours account for both voltage and current, providing a more accurate measure of total energy capacity. To convert between them, use: Wh = Ah × V (voltage).
How accurate are battery capacity ratings?
Manufacturer ratings are typically nominal values. Actual capacity can vary due to manufacturing tolerances, age, temperature, and discharge rate. Most consumer batteries have ±5-10% tolerance.