convertimate Earthquake energy

Joules to moment magnitude

Type a value in J to get it in Mw instantly.

-2.681Mw

Nothing on our list is smaller: a quake you can feel is 332,543,719× more. That energy could run a home for about 1.543×10⁻¹⁰ years.

What it means

How much energy is that?

Uses the standard relation log₁₀E = 1.5M + 4.8. Reported magnitudes vary slightly between agencies and methods.

The math

How to convert J to Mw

Magnitude is logarithmic energy: log₁₀E = 1.5M + 4.8, so one whole magnitude is about 32 times the energy.

Example: 6 J = -2.68123 Mw.

Every unit

Your earthquake in every unit

Tables

J to Mw conversion table

J to Mw conversion table
JMw
2 J-2.99931 Mw
3 J-2.88192 Mw
4 J-2.79863 Mw
4.5 J-2.76452 Mw
5 J-2.73402 Mw
5.5 J-2.70642 Mw
6 J-2.68123 Mw
6.5 J-2.65806 Mw
7 J-2.6366 Mw
7.5 J-2.61663 Mw
8 J-2.59794 Mw
9 J-2.56384 Mw
Mw to J conversion table
Mw to J conversion table
MwJ
2 Mw63,095,700 J
3 Mw1.995×10⁹ J
4 Mw6.31×10¹⁰ J
4.5 Mw3.548×10¹¹ J
5 Mw1.995×10¹² J
5.5 Mw1.122×10¹³ J
6 Mw6.31×10¹³ J
6.5 Mw3.548×10¹⁴ J
7 Mw1.995×10¹⁵ J
7.5 Mw1.122×10¹⁶ J
8 Mw6.31×10¹⁶ J
9 Mw1.995×10¹⁸ J

Quick answers

Quick answers

How many Mw is 1 J?
1 J is -3.2 Mw.
How many Mw is 10 J?
10 J is -2.53333 Mw.
How many Mw is 6 J?
6 J is -2.68123 Mw.

The units

About these units

Joules (J)

The SI unit of the energy released.

Moment magnitude (Mw)

The modern magnitude scale, based on how much rock moved and how far.

Learn more about energy units

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