Specific Heat Calculator
Calculate heat energy transferred using Q = mcΔT. Find heat, mass, specific heat capacity, or temperature change.
Results
What is it?
The specific heat equation Q = mcΔT quantifies the heat energy (Q) required to change the temperature of a mass (m) by ΔT degrees, given the material's specific heat capacity (c). Specific heat (c) is measured in J/(kg·K). Higher c means a material requires more energy to heat up — water's high c (4186) makes it excellent for thermal regulation.
How to use
Select what you want to solve for from the dropdown. For "Heat (Q)", enter mass, specific heat, and temperature change. For other quantities, enter heat (Q) and the other two knowns.
Example scenario
How much heat is needed to warm 1 kg of water by 20°C? Select "Heat (Q)", enter m = 1 kg, c = 4186 J/(kg·K), ΔT = 20°C. Q = 1 × 4186 × 20 = 83,720 J ≈ 83.7 kJ. This is roughly the energy in a 20-calorie snack (1 cal = 4.184 J).
Pro tip
Specific heat reference table: Water = 4186, Sea water = 3993, Ice = 2090, Aluminium = 900, Glass = 840, Iron/Steel = 450, Copper = 385, Gold = 128, Lead = 128 J/(kg·K). Calorimetry uses Q_gained = −Q_lost to find unknown specific heats experimentally. A Calorie (food energy) = 1 kcal = 4184 J.