Enter a power
The table updates as you type. No button.
In all units
| Unit | Value |
|---|
When you need a power converter
A motor may be listed in horsepower, an inverter in kilowatts, an air conditioner in BTU/h. Type the number from the nameplate and pick the unit. The table shows W, kW, MW, mechanical hp, metric PS and BTU/h.
Mechanical horsepower is the US one (about 746 W). Metric PS is a little smaller (about 735.5 W). If a German listing says PS and a US one says hp, they are not the same.
Nothing is sent to a server. There is no Calculate button.
Everyday power conversions
| From | Equals |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1.34102 hp |
| 1 hp (mechanical) | 745.700 W |
| 1 PS (metric hp) | 735.499 W |
| 1 BTU/h | 0.293071 W |
| 1000 W | 1 kW |
| 150 hp | 111.855 kW |
The simple facts
Everything goes through watts, then to the unit you want. You do not need the formula to use the table.
How to convert power units
- Type the value: Type the power on the nameplate or in the spec sheet.
- Pick the source unit: Choose kW, hp, PS or BTU/h. Each line starts with the symbol, then the full name.
- Read every conversion: Read the same power in the other units. Your choice is marked.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts is 1 horsepower?
Mechanical horsepower is about 746 watts (745.7). Metric PS is a little less, about 735.5 W. So one hp is roughly three-quarters of a kilowatt.
Is kW the same as hp?
No. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts. Mechanical horsepower is about 746 W, so 1 kW ≈ 1.34 hp. Same kind of quantity, different scales.
What is metric horsepower (PS)?
PS (Pferdestärke) is the metric horsepower on European nameplates. It is 735.5 W — a bit smaller than US mechanical hp. A 150 PS car is just under 148 mechanical hp.
How do I convert BTU/h to watts?
Divide BTU/h by 3.412 to get watts, or by 3,412 to get kW. A 12,000 BTU/h air conditioner is about 3,500 W (3.5 kW).