What Is Power Factor?

Power factor is a measurement that tells us how effectively electrical power is being converted into useful work output. In simple terms, it represents the ratio of real power (in watts) to apparent power (in volt-amperes) in an electrical system. Real power does the actual work, such as lighting a bulb or driving a motor, while apparent power accounts for both real power and reactive power, which doesn't perform any useful work but is required to maintain voltage levels.

Power Factor Calculator

Real Power (Watts):

Apparent Power (VA):

How to Calculate Power Factor

To calculate power factor, you can use a simple power factor calculator or use the following formula:

Measure the real power (in watts) being used by your system. This can often be found on your electricity bill or measured using a power meter.

Measure the apparent power (in volt-amperes) being supplied to your system. This can also be found on your electricity bill or measured using a power meter.

The result will be a decimal between 0 and 1. Multiply it by 100 to express it as a percentage.