Enter the power in watts and the voltage (UK mains is 230 volts) and this converts watts to amps. It is the figure you need for choosing a fuse or checking what an extension lead can safely carry.
This matters for safety, not just sums. A 2,000W appliance at 230V draws about 8.7 amps, well within a 13A plug. Add several high-power devices to one extension lead, though, and the total current can exceed what the lead is rated for, a common cause of overheating. Add up the watts of everything plugged in and keep the total under 3,000W on a standard 13A lead. To go the other way, use the amps to watts calculator.
The trap I see most often is a cheap four-way strip behind the telly with a heater, a kettle or an iron plugged into it alongside everything else. Those three are each close to 3,000W on their own, so any two together will overload a standard lead. The rule of thumb worth remembering: one heat-making appliance per socket, straight into the wall. Extension leads are fine for laptops, chargers and lamps, which barely sip current. They are not fine for anything that gets hot. Once the wiring is safe, the same high-wattage appliances are the ones worth checking in the running cost calculator, because high amps and high running cost go hand in hand.
Common questions
How do I convert watts to amps?
Divide the watts by the voltage. At UK mains voltage of 230V, a 2,000W appliance draws 2,000 divided by 230, which is about 8.7 amps.
How many amps is 3000 watts?
At 230 volts, 3,000 watts is about 13 amps, which is the maximum a standard UK plug and socket are designed to carry. Anything higher needs a dedicated circuit.