Horsepower to Kilowatt Converter
Accurate HP to kW conversion for all horsepower types
1 HP = 0.7457 kW
Mechanical Horsepower to Kilowatts
Quick Conversions
Conversion Formulas
1 Mechanical HP = 0.7457 kW
Formula: P(kW) = P(HP) × 0.7457
1 Metric HP = 0.7355 kW
Formula: P(kW) = P(HP) × 0.7355
1 Electrical HP = 0.746 kW
Formula: P(kW) = P(HP) × 0.746
Horsepower Types Explained
Mechanical Horsepower
Also known as Imperial HP, this is the most common type used in the United States. It equals 745.699872 watts and is typically used for automotive engines and industrial machinery.
Metric Horsepower
Widely used in Europe and Asia, metric HP equals 735.49875 watts. It’s commonly abbreviated as PS (Pferdestärke in German) or CV (Chevaux Vapeur in French).
Electrical Horsepower
Used specifically for electric motors and air conditioning systems, electrical HP equals exactly 746 watts. This standardized value simplifies electrical calculations.
Kilowatt Definition
A kilowatt equals 1,000 watts or 1,000 joules per second. It’s the standard SI unit for measuring power and is used globally for electrical systems and energy consumption.
Conversion Examples
Example 1: Converting 100 Mechanical HP to kW
Formula: kW = HP × 0.7457
Calculation: 100 × 0.7457 = 74.57 kW
Result: 100 Mechanical HP equals 74.57 kilowatts
Example 2: Converting 150 Metric HP to kW
Formula: kW = HP × 0.7355
Calculation: 150 × 0.7355 = 110.325 kW
Result: 150 Metric HP equals 110.325 kilowatts
Example 3: Converting 50 Electrical HP to kW
Formula: kW = HP × 0.746
Calculation: 50 × 0.746 = 37.3 kW
Result: 50 Electrical HP equals 37.3 kilowatts
HP to kW Conversion Table
| Horsepower (HP) | Mechanical (kW) | Metric (kW) | Electrical (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.0746 | 0.0735 | 0.0746 |
| 0.5 | 0.3729 | 0.3677 | 0.373 |
| 1 | 0.7457 | 0.7355 | 0.746 |
| 2 | 1.4914 | 1.471 | 1.492 |
| 5 | 3.7285 | 3.6775 | 3.73 |
| 10 | 7.457 | 7.355 | 7.46 |
| 15 | 11.1855 | 11.0325 | 11.19 |
| 20 | 14.914 | 14.71 | 14.92 |
| 25 | 18.6425 | 18.3875 | 18.65 |
| 30 | 22.371 | 22.065 | 22.38 |
| 40 | 29.828 | 29.42 | 29.84 |
| 50 | 37.285 | 36.775 | 37.3 |
| 75 | 55.9275 | 55.1625 | 55.95 |
| 100 | 74.57 | 73.55 | 74.6 |
| 150 | 111.855 | 110.325 | 111.9 |
| 200 | 149.14 | 147.1 | 149.2 |
| 250 | 186.425 | 183.875 | 186.5 |
| 300 | 223.71 | 220.65 | 223.8 |
| 500 | 372.85 | 367.75 | 373 |
| 1000 | 745.7 | 735.5 | 746 |
Common HP to kW Conversions
Car Engines
100 HP = 74.6 kW
150 HP = 111.9 kW
200 HP = 149.2 kW
300 HP = 223.8 kW
500 HP = 373 kW
Small Engines
5 HP = 3.73 kW
10 HP = 7.46 kW
15 HP = 11.19 kW
20 HP = 14.92 kW
25 HP = 18.65 kW
Industrial Motors
50 HP = 37.3 kW
75 HP = 55.95 kW
100 HP = 74.6 kW
150 HP = 111.9 kW
200 HP = 149.2 kW
High Performance
400 HP = 298.4 kW
500 HP = 373 kW
600 HP = 447.6 kW
750 HP = 559.5 kW
1000 HP = 746 kW
Related Power Conversions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between horsepower and kilowatts?
Horsepower and kilowatts are both units of power that measure the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. Horsepower is an older unit created by James Watt in the 18th century to compare steam engines with draft horses, while kilowatts are the modern SI unit based on watts. One mechanical horsepower equals approximately 0.7457 kilowatts.
Why are there different types of horsepower?
Different types of horsepower evolved based on regional preferences and specific applications. Mechanical (Imperial) HP is used in the US for automotive and industrial applications. Metric HP is common in Europe and Asia. Electrical HP was standardized specifically for electric motors and air conditioning systems. Each type has slightly different watt equivalents, with mechanical at 745.7W, metric at 735.5W, and electrical at exactly 746W.
How do I convert HP to kW for my car engine?
For automotive engines, multiply the horsepower by 0.7457 if using mechanical HP (common in the US) or by 0.7355 if using metric HP (PS or CV in Europe). For example, a 200 HP engine equals approximately 149.14 kW using mechanical horsepower, or 147.1 kW using metric horsepower.
Which is more powerful: 1 HP or 1 kW?
One kilowatt is more powerful than one horsepower. Specifically, 1 kW equals approximately 1.341 mechanical HP, 1.36 metric HP, or 1.34 electrical HP. This means a 10 kW motor has more power than a 10 HP motor of any type.
Why do European cars use PS instead of HP?
PS (Pferdestärke) is the metric horsepower unit used in German-speaking countries and many other European nations. It’s part of the metric system and equals 735.5 watts, slightly less than mechanical HP at 745.7 watts. Many European manufacturers use PS because it’s the traditional standard in their regions, though kW is becoming increasingly common as the preferred international standard.
What is the origin of horsepower?
James Watt developed the horsepower unit in the late 1700s to market his steam engines. He calculated that a typical draft horse could perform 33,000 foot-pounds of work per minute (lifting 33,000 pounds one foot in one minute). This measurement became the standard for comparing engine output and remains widely used today, despite the shift toward metric units like kilowatts.
Can I use this converter for electric motors?
Yes, this converter works for electric motors. For electric motors rated in electrical horsepower, use the electrical HP option which uses the conversion factor of 0.746 kW per HP. Many modern electric motors are rated directly in kilowatts, eliminating the need for conversion.
Is brake horsepower (BHP) different from regular HP?
Brake horsepower refers to the measurement method rather than a different unit. BHP measures the engine’s output at the crankshaft before losses from the transmission and drivetrain. The conversion to kilowatts remains the same (1 BHP = 0.7457 kW for mechanical measurements), but BHP represents the raw engine output rather than the power delivered to the wheels.
When to Use HP vs kW
Use Horsepower When
Working with American automotive specifications, traditional industrial equipment in the US, or when comparing older machinery. Horsepower remains the standard in North American automotive marketing and classic vehicle documentation.
Use Kilowatts When
Working with international standards, electrical systems, modern European vehicles, or scientific calculations. Kilowatts are the standard SI unit and are preferred in most technical and engineering contexts worldwide.
Automotive Applications
Car manufacturers increasingly list both HP and kW in specifications to accommodate global markets. European manufacturers typically emphasize kW, while American brands highlight HP. Both measurements describe the same engine output.
Industrial & Electrical
Electric motors, generators, and industrial equipment worldwide predominantly use kilowatt ratings. This simplifies electrical calculations since electrical power formulas naturally use watts and kilowatts.