AiBU to wonder why we use kcal and kjoule

[GiveMeStrengthOrAHobby]

I mean everyone i know talks about the colorific value and how many calories etc etc

So who uses the kilojoule? I know nobody

Why do we have this second unit of measure

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Joule is the standard deceived unit of energy.
It's like measuring distance in miles and km, or temperature in C or F (or K, the standard unit)

[nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut]

It refers to energy. Energey is measured in Kilojoules .

[Feedingthebirds1]

Firstly, 'calories' are actually kilocalories. So you're technically eating 1,000 times more calories a day than MyFitnessPal tells you. The word is shortened to just calories.

Secondly, one kilocalorie (or 'calorie' as above) is equal to 4.18 kilojoules, so the numbers are larger. it's smaller, therefore easier, numbers to work with.

[TheSmallAssassin]

Joule is an SI unit, so it's calories we should ditch really. I've weaned myself off Fahrenheit, stones and pounds and feet and inches, just kCals and miles and minute miles to go 😁

Lots of countries use joules instead of calories. We're just a bit old fashioned.

[GiveMeStrengthOrAHobby]

Joule seems more accurate then... may start using that.

But i am very old fashioned, i like my feet and inches and stones and lbs

[Hopoindown31]

I use kilojoule all the time. I'm a scientist. Haven't used non-SI units at work ever with the exception of having to covert stupid units from US work.

Still I think for my height in feet and inches and weight in stone and driving distances in miles. Britain is a funny place.