kW to HP Calculator
Convert kW and horsepower in either direction while keeping the horsepower definition explicit.
Fractions such as 1/2 and 1½ are welcome. Paste kW, kilowatts, hp, horsepower, mechanical hp, PS, CV, metric hp, hp(E), or electric hp. A horsepower suffix sets the standard. BHP, boiler, water, and U.K. horsepower are rejected.
kW to horsepower formulas
Horsepower = kW × 1,000 ÷ watts per horsepower. This calculator uses these standard factors: 745.6998715822702 W for mechanical horsepower, 735.49875 W for metric horsepower, and 746 W for electric horsepower. The full values are derived from the standard definitions: 550 ft·lbf/s for mechanical horsepower, 75 kgf·m/s for metric horsepower, and 746 W for electric horsepower. NIST SP 811 provides the supporting power-conversion reference.
Common kW values for all three horsepower definitions
| Kilowatts | Mechanical hp | Metric hp (PS/CV) | Electric hp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ≈ 1.34102209 | ≈ 1.359621617 | ≈ 1.340482574 |
| 5 kW | ≈ 6.705110448 | ≈ 6.798108087 | ≈ 6.702412869 |
| 10 kW | ≈ 13.410220896 | ≈ 13.596216173 | ≈ 13.404825737 |
| 50 kW | ≈ 67.05110448 | ≈ 67.981080865 | ≈ 67.024128686 |
| 100 kW | ≈ 134.10220896 | ≈ 135.96216173 | ≈ 134.048257373 |
Horsepower to kW
kW = horsepower × watts per horsepower ÷ 1,000. Select Horsepower, paste a recognized horsepower label, or use Swap after a valid result. Swap carries the unrounded result and the active horsepower definition into the reverse direction.
Choose the horsepower definition
Mechanical horsepower is the default for a bare hp or horsepower suffix. PS, CV, metric hp, and metric horsepower select the metric definition. hp(E), electric hp, electrical hp, and their full-word forms select electric horsepower. Copy output always includes the full definition.
Power-unit boundary
This page converts stated power values only. It does not infer brake horsepower or estimate motor efficiency, power factor, voltage, current, torque, RPM, drivetrain loss, or energy use in kWh. Boiler, water, and U.K. horsepower are also outside this converter.
Frequently asked questions
How many mechanical horsepower are in 1 kW?
Using 745.6998715822702 watts per mechanical horsepower, 1 kW displays as approximately 1.34102209 mechanical horsepower.
What is the difference between mechanical, metric, and electric horsepower?
They use different watts-per-horsepower factors. This page keeps mechanical horsepower, metric horsepower (PS/CV), and electric horsepower explicitly labeled.
How do I convert horsepower to kilowatts?
Multiply the horsepower value by its selected watts-per-horsepower factor, then divide by 1,000.
Does a pasted horsepower label override the menus?
Yes. hp or horsepower selects mechanical horsepower, PS or CV selects metric horsepower, and hp(E) or electric hp selects electric horsepower. A kW suffix changes only the direction.
Does this calculator convert brake, boiler, water, or U.K. horsepower?
No. Those labels are rejected rather than inferred. This page supports mechanical, metric (PS/CV), and electric horsepower only.