Specific Heat Capacity Calculator
Free specific heat capacity calculator. Solve Q = mcΔT for specific heat, heat energy, mass or temperature change with the full formula and steps shown.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
Show the formula & steps
Q = m × c × ΔT. Keep units consistent (mass in kg gives c in J/kg·°C). Water is about 4,180 J/kg·°C.
How the Specific Heat Capacity Calculator Works
Specific heat capacity tells you how much energy a material needs to change temperature. This calculator uses the heat equation Q = m·c·ΔT and can solve for any one of the four quantities — specific heat c, heat energy Q, mass m, or temperature change ΔT — once you supply the other three.
The Formula
The core relationship is:
Q = m × c × ΔT
Rearranged to find specific heat:
c = Q / (m × ΔT)
The other rearrangements are Q = m·c·ΔT, m = Q / (c·ΔT), and ΔT = Q / (m·c). With mass in kilograms and energy in joules, specific heat is in J/kg·°C.
Worked Example
How much is the specific heat of a 0.5 kg sample that absorbs 20,900 J while warming by 10 °C?
- c = Q / (m × ΔT)
- = 20,900 / (0.5 × 10)
- = 20,900 / 5 = 4,180 J/kg·°C
That matches the known specific heat of water.
Specific Heat of Common Substances
| Substance | Specific heat (J/kg·°C) |
|---|---|
| Water (liquid) | 4,180 |
| Ethanol | 2,440 |
| Ice | 2,100 |
| Aluminium | 900 |
| Iron | 450 |
| Copper | 385 |
Tips for Using the Calculator
- Pick what to solve for from the dropdown; the matching input box hides automatically.
- Use consistent units — kilograms and joules give c in J/kg·°C.
- Watch the sign of ΔT for cooling problems, where the substance releases heat.
- ΔT in °C and kelvin is numerically identical, so either unit works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for specific heat capacity?+
Specific heat capacity is found from Q = m × c × ΔT, rearranged to c = Q / (m × ΔT). Here Q is the heat energy in joules, m is the mass, ΔT is the temperature change, and c is the specific heat. With mass in kilograms, c comes out in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius.
What is specific heat capacity?+
Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one unit of mass of a substance by one degree. A high specific heat, like water's 4,180 J/kg·°C, means the substance absorbs a lot of energy for a small temperature rise. It is an intrinsic property of each material.
What is the specific heat capacity of water?+
Liquid water has a specific heat capacity of about 4,180 joules per kilogram per degree Celsius, or 4.18 J/g·°C. This is unusually high, which is why water is an effective coolant and why coastal climates are mild. Ice and steam have lower specific heats, around 2,100 and 2,000 J/kg·°C.
Does the sign of ΔT matter?+
Yes. A positive ΔT means the substance is heating up and Q is positive (heat absorbed); a negative ΔT means it is cooling and Q is negative (heat released). The specific heat c itself is always positive, so be careful with signs when computing heat energy for a cooling process.
What units should I use?+
Keep units consistent. If mass is in kilograms and Q is in joules, c will be in J/kg·°C. If you prefer grams, divide c by 1,000 to get J/g·°C. Temperature change in degrees Celsius and kelvin is identical, so either works for ΔT.