Convert hp to kw
PrintHorsepower to Kilowatt Conversion Table
| Horsepower (hp) | Kilowatt (kW) |
|---|---|
| 1 hp | 0.7456999 kW |
| 5 hp | 3.7284994 kW |
| 10 hp | 7.4569987 kW |
| 20 hp | 14.913997 kW |
| 50 hp | 37.284994 kW |
| 100 hp | 74.569987 kW |
| 150 hp | 111.85498 kW |
| 200 hp | 149.13997 kW |
| 500 hp | 372.84994 kW |
Kilowatts and horsepower are the two universal power measurement units used worldwide to express automotive engine performance, electric vehicle (EV) motor output, industrial electric motors, household solar generator arrays, and HVAC heat pumps. While the kilowatt (kW) is the official International System of Units (SI) metric standard for power (1,000 Joules per second), horsepower (hp or PS) remains the traditional unit used by auto manufacturers and car enthusiasts to market vehicle engine strength.
Our free online Kw to Hp Converter provides instant, high-precision power conversions in both directions:
- Kilowatts to Metric Horsepower (PS / DIN): Multiply kW by
1.3596216173(exact European standard). - Kilowatts to Mechanical Horsepower (hp / SAE): Multiply kW by
1.34102209(exact Imperial standard). - Horsepower (Metric PS) to Kilowatts: Multiply PS by
0.73549875(exact metric standard).
Comparing Kilowatts across Different Horsepower Standards
Because horsepower is defined differently depending on whether you are measuring European metric engines, US imperial vehicles, or industrial electric motors, converting kilowatts requires selecting the correct horsepower definition:
| Horsepower Standard | Abbreviation / Symbol | Physical Definition | 1 kW Equivalent | Exact Value in Watts (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metric Horsepower (European) | PS, ch, pk, CV |
75 kgf·m/s | 1.3596216 PS |
735.49875 W (exact) |
| Mechanical Horsepower (Imperial) | hp(I), bhp, SAE hp |
550 ft·lbf/s | 1.3410221 hp |
745.69987 W (≈ 745.7 W) |
| Electric Motor Horsepower | hp(E) |
746 Watts exact | 1.3404839 hp |
746.00000 W (exact) |
Step-by-Step Calculation Example
To explicitly convert 15 kilowatts to metric horsepower (PS), you must multiply the kW value by the exact European PS conversion factor.
| Math Step | Execution Logic | Calculated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Input kW | Identify the starting kilowatt value. | 15 kW |
| Step 2: Conversion Factor | Select the Metric PS standard multiplier. | 1.3596216173 |
| Step 3: Final Multiplication | 15 × 1.3596216173 |
20.39 PS |
Kilowatt to Metric Horsepower Conversion Table
Below is a handy reference lookup table converting power ratings from 0.01 kW up to 1,000 kW:
| Kilowatts (kW) | Metric Horsepower (PS) | Automotive, EV & Electrical Power Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| 0.01 kW | 0.013596 PS | 10 Watts (small electronics power) |
| 0.10 kW | 0.135962 PS | 100 Watts (laptop charger / LED bulb array) |
| 1.00 kW | 1.359622 PS | 1.0 Kilowatt Exact Benchmark (1,000 W / 1.341 mechanical hp) |
| 5.00 kW | 6.798108 PS | Home solar array / small portable backup generator |
| 10.00 kW | 13.596216 PS | Small motorcycle / industrial electric motor (13.6 PS) |
| 50.00 kW | 67.981081 PS | Compact electric city car motor (68 PS) |
| 73.55 kW | 100.000000 PS | 100 Metric Horsepower Exact Benchmark (73.55 kW) |
| 100.00 kW | 135.962162 PS | 136 PS (Standard passenger sedan EV motor) |
| 150.00 kW | 203.943243 PS | 204 PS (Midsize SUV electric motor output) |
| 300.00 kW | 407.886485 PS | High-performance dual-motor EV (408 PS) |
| 735.50 kW | 1,000.000000 PS | 1,000 Metric Horsepower Hypercar EV Benchmark (735.5 kW) |
| 1,000.00 kW (1 MW) | 1,359.621617 PS | 1 Megawatt industrial turbine / locomotive engine (1,360 PS) |
History & Physics: Sir Charles Siemens vs. James Watt
Sir Charles William Siemens and the Kilowatt (1882)
The unit watt was named after Scottish inventor James Watt. In 1882, electrical engineer Sir Charles William Siemens proposed using Watt’s name for the unit of power. Adopted internationally in 1908, the kilowatt (kW) represents 1,000 watts (1,000 Joules per second). It is the universal SI unit for rating electric vehicle motors, power grids, and engine outputs.
James Watt and the Invention of Horsepower (1780s)
To market his newly improved steam engines to coal mine owners in the 1780s, James Watt needed a way to compare steam power to draft horses. He estimated that a brewery pit pony could turn a mill wheel 2.4 times per minute, producing approximately 550 foot-pounds of work per second (745.7 Watts). German engineers later standardized metric horsepower (PS) as lifting 75 kg by 1 meter in 1 second (735.49875 Watts).
To convert horsepower back to kilowatts, visit our Hp to Kw Converter. For automotive engine calculations, check our Engine Horsepower Calculator. For electrical energy calculations, explore our Electricity Calculator or Conversion Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many horsepower are in 1 kilowatt?
There are approximately 1.35962 metric horsepower (PS) or 1.34102 mechanical horsepower (hp) in 1 kilowatt.
How many kW is a 100 horsepower car engine?
A 100 PS metric engine equals 100 × 0.7355 = 73.55 kW. A 100 hp mechanical SAE engine equals 100 × 0.7457 = 74.57 kW.
How many horsepower is a 150 kW electric vehicle (EV) motor?
A 150 kW EV motor produces 150 × 1.3596 = 203.94 metric horsepower (PS) (or 201.15 mechanical hp).
Why do European cars measure power in kW and PS?
European Union regulations require official engine output to be listed in kilowatts (kW), while European car manufacturers traditionally advertise market ratings in Pferdestärke (PS) metric horsepower.