What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
calorie
Example
I consumed 2000 calories today, which is my recommended daily intake. [calorie: noun]
Example
This chocolate bar contains 150 calories. [calories: plural noun]
kilojoule
Example
The energy content of this meal is 2500 kilojoules. [kilojoule: noun]
Example
In Australia, nutritional information is often displayed in kilojoules instead of calories. [kilojoules: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Calorie is more commonly used than kilojoule in everyday language and popular culture, especially in countries like the United States. However, kilojoule is more commonly used in scientific and metric contexts, as well as in countries that use the metric system.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between calorie and kilojoule?
While calorie is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, kilojoule is more commonly used in scientific and technical contexts, making it slightly more formal.
