kW to HP Converter (Kilowatts to Horsepower)
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 machinery engineers.
Our free online Kw to Hp Converter provides instant, high-precision power conversions across all global standards:
- Kilowatts to Mechanical / Imperial Horsepower (hp / SAE / bhp): Multiply kW by
1.34102209(standard US & UK automotive rating). - Kilowatts to Metric Horsepower (PS / DIN / CV): Multiply kW by
1.35962162(official European metric standard). - Kilowatts to Electrical Horsepower (hp(E)): Multiply kW by
1.34048257(used for industrial electric motors). - Horsepower (hp) to Kilowatts: Multiply hp by
0.74569987. - Metric Horsepower (PS) to Kilowatts: Multiply PS by
0.73549875.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Horsepower (Imperial / SAE) | hp(I), bhp, SAE hp |
550 ft·lbf/s | 1.341022 hp |
745.69987 W (≈ 745.7 W) |
| Metric Horsepower (European DIN) | PS, ch, pk, CV |
75 kgf·m/s | 1.359622 PS |
735.49875 W (exact) |
| Electric Motor Horsepower | hp(E) |
746 Watts exact | 1.340484 hp |
746.00000 W (exact) |
| Boiler Horsepower | hp(S), BHP |
33,475 BTU/hr | 0.101972 hp |
9,809.50 W |
Step-by-Step Calculation Examples
Example 1: Convert 75 kW to Mechanical Horsepower (Standard Vehicle Engine)
To convert 75 kilowatts to imperial mechanical horsepower (hp):
| Math Step | Execution Logic | Calculated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Starting kW | Identify the input power rating. | 75 kW |
| Step 2: Conversion Factor | Select the Mechanical SAE multiplier. | 1.34102209 |
| Step 3: Multiplication | 75 × 1.34102209 |
100.58 hp |
Example 2: Convert 150 kW to Metric Horsepower (EV Motor Benchmark)
To convert 150 kilowatts to European metric horsepower (PS):
| Math Step | Execution Logic | Calculated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Starting kW | Identify the input power rating. | 150 kW |
| Step 2: Conversion Factor | Select the Metric PS multiplier. | 1.35962162 |
| Step 3: Multiplication | 150 × 1.35962162 |
203.94 PS |
Kilowatts to Horsepower Conversion Table (Mechanical & Metric)
Below is a comprehensive reference lookup table converting power ratings from 0.75 kW up to 1,000 kW (1 MW), covering standard automotive engines and industrial IEC motor sizes:
| Kilowatts (kW) | Mechanical HP (hp / SAE) | Metric HP (PS / DIN) | Automotive, EV & Electrical Power Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75 kW | 1.0058 hp | 1.0197 PS | 1 HP Industrial Electric Motor (IEC Frame standard) |
| 1.00 kW | 1.3410 hp | 1.3596 PS | 1.0 Kilowatt Exact SI Power Benchmark (1,000 Watts) |
| 1.50 kW | 2.0115 hp | 2.0394 PS | 2 HP Workshop Air Compressor / Water Pump |
| 5.00 kW | 6.7051 hp | 6.7981 PS | Home solar array / portable backup generator |
| 11.00 kW | 14.7512 hp | 14.9558 PS | 15 HP Industrial three-phase motor |
| 15.00 kW | 20.1153 hp | 20.3943 PS | 20 HP Industrial manufacturing hydraulic pump |
| 37.00 kW | 49.6178 hp | 50.3060 PS | 50 HP Agricultural irrigation pump motor |
| 50.00 kW | 67.0511 hp | 67.9811 PS | Compact electric city car motor (68 PS) |
| 73.55 kW | 98.6323 hp | 100.0000 PS | 100 Metric Horsepower Exact Benchmark (73.55 kW) |
| 74.57 kW | 100.0000 hp | 101.3870 PS | 100 Mechanical Horsepower Exact Benchmark (74.57 kW) |
| 100.00 kW | 134.1022 hp | 135.9622 PS | 136 PS (Standard passenger sedan EV motor) |
| 132.00 kW | 177.0149 hp | 179.4701 PS | 180 HP Turbocharged compact crossover engine |
| 150.00 kW | 201.1533 hp | 203.9432 PS | 200 HP Midsize electric SUV powertrain output |
| 200.00 kW | 268.2044 hp | 271.9243 PS | Sports sedan / performance dual-motor EV axle |
| 300.00 kW | 402.3066 hp | 407.8865 PS | High-performance sports car / dual-motor EV (~400 hp) |
| 500.00 kW | 670.5110 hp | 679.8108 PS | Supercar powertrain / heavy mining equipment |
| 735.50 kW | 986.3230 hp | 1,000.0000 PS | 1,000 Metric Horsepower Hypercar EV Benchmark (735.5 kW) |
| 1,000.00 kW (1 MW) | 1,341.0221 hp | 1,359.6216 PS | 1 Megawatt industrial turbine / high-speed rail locomotive |
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).
Related Automotive & Power Calculators
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 master Conversion Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many horsepower are in 1 kilowatt?
There are approximately 1.34102 mechanical horsepower (hp / SAE), 1.35962 metric horsepower (PS / DIN), and 1.34048 electrical horsepower (hp(E)) in 1 kilowatt.
How many kW is a 100 horsepower vehicle?
A 100 mechanical hp (SAE) vehicle equals 100 × 0.7457 = 74.57 kW. A 100 metric PS European vehicle equals 100 × 0.7355 = 73.55 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 150 × 1.3410 = 201.15 mechanical horsepower (hp).
Why do European and Japanese cars measure power in kW and PS?
European Union regulations require official engine output to be listed in kilowatts (kW), while car manufacturers in Germany and Japan traditionally advertise vehicle market strength in Pferdestärke (PS) metric horsepower.