1. What is kDa?

The kilodalton (kDa) is a unit of mass equal to 1000 daltons (Da). It is commonly used to express the molecular mass of proteins, nucleic acids, and other large molecules.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple conversion formula:

Where:

• \( kDa \) — Kilodalton value
• \( MW \) — Molecular weight in grams per mole (g/mol)

3. Importance of kDa Conversion

Details: Converting molecular weight to kDa is essential in biochemistry and molecular biology for comparing protein sizes, estimating molecular sizes in gel electrophoresis, and describing macromolecular complexes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the molecular weight in g/mol. The value must be greater than 0. The calculator will automatically convert it to kDa.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between Da and kDa?
A: 1 kDa equals 1000 Da. kDa is used for larger molecules like proteins, while Da is used for smaller molecules.

Q2: How do I find the molecular weight of a protein?
A: You can calculate it by summing the atomic masses of all atoms in the molecule or use protein sequence analysis tools.

Q3: Is molecular weight the same as molar mass?
A: Yes, molecular weight (in g/mol) is numerically equal to molar mass (in g/mol).

Q4: Why use kDa instead of g/mol?
A: kDa provides more manageable numbers for large biomolecules (e.g., 64,000 g/mol = 64 kDa).

Q5: Can I convert kDa back to g/mol?
A: Yes, simply multiply the kDa value by 1000 to get g/mol.