To convert kW to hp, multiply by about 1.34102, because one mechanical horsepower is 745.69987 W. Formula: mechanical hp = kW / 0.745699871582; PS = kW / 0.73549875. For example, 100 kW ≈ 134.1 hp, and 7.5 kW ≈ 10.06 hp.
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How to use the kW to hp converter
- Enter the power in kilowatts, for example 150.
- Pick the horsepower: mechanical (hp), metric (PS) or electrical.
- Read the kw to hp converter result: 150 kW ≈ 201.15 hp, or about 203.94 PS.
What is the kW to HP formula?
mechanical horsepower = kilowatts × 1.34102
The reverse is kilowatts = mechanical horsepower × 0.74569987 (approximately).
One mechanical horsepower is defined as 550 foot-pounds-force per second, which works out to about 745.699872 W. The multiplier 1.34102 is rounded to six significant digits; the kw to hp calculator uses the full-precision value.
What are kilowatts and mechanical horsepower?
Power is the rate of doing work or using energy. The SI unit is the watt (W), one joule per second. One mechanical horsepower is about 745.7 W, one metric horsepower about 735.5 W, and air conditioners are rated in BTU per hour or tons of refrigeration.
- Kilowatt (kW): 1 kW = 1,000 W (SI unit).
- Mechanical horsepower (hp): 1 hp = 745.6998716 W (US/Imperial unit).
Kw to hp worked examples
- A 100 kW electric motor: 100 × 1.34102 = 134.102 hp
- A 150 kW car: 150 × 1.34102 = 201.153 hp
- A 7.5 kW pump: 7.5 × 1.34102 = 10.0577 hp
Conversion chart
| kW | hp | kW | hp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.341 | 110 | 147.51 |
| 5 | 6.7051 | 150 | 201.15 |
| 7.5 | 10.0577 | 200 | 268.2 |
| 10 | 13.4102 | 250 | 335.26 |
| 20 | 26.8204 | 300 | 402.31 |
| 50 | 67.0511 | 400 | 536.41 |
| 75 | 100.58 | 500 | 670.51 |
| 100 | 134.1 | 1,000 | 1,341.02 |
Values are rounded to four decimal places, or two for results of 100 or more.
Quick mental conversion
Multiply by 1.34 (exact 1.34102).
Kilowatts from mechanical horsepower: reverse chart
Going the other way, kilowatts = mechanical horsepower × 0.74569987. Common values:
| mechanical horsepower | kilowatts |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.7456999 |
| 2 | 1.4914 |
| 5 | 3.728499 |
| 10 | 7.456999 |
| 20 | 14.914 |
| 50 | 37.28499 |
| 100 | 74.56999 |
| 500 | 372.8499 |
| 1,000 | 745.6999 |
Metric horsepower (PS) for car specs
European car specifications often give power in kW and in PS (Pferdestärke), the metric horsepower of exactly 735.49875 W. One kW is about 1.35962 PS, so a 110 kW engine is about 149.6 PS but 147.5 hp. When comparing brochures, check which horsepower is meant.
| kW | hp (mechanical) | PS (metric) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 67.05 | 67.98 |
| 75 | 100.58 | 101.97 |
| 100 | 134.1 | 135.96 |
| 110 | 147.51 | 149.56 |
| 150 | 201.15 | 203.94 |
| 200 | 268.2 | 271.92 |
| 250 | 335.26 | 339.91 |
Electric motor ratings
Electric motors in the US are rated in hp using 746 W per hp; IEC motors are rated in kW. Standard sizes pair up closely: 0.75 kW ≈ 1 hp, 7.5 kW ≈ 10 hp and 75 kW ≈ 100 hp. The rating is shaft output power, so electrical input is higher; divide by the efficiency, for example 7.5 kW ÷ 0.9 ≈ 8.3 kW of input. Use the hp to kW converter for the reverse and the power unit converter for BTU/h and other units.
EVs and small motors
Electric car makers list motor power in kW, while many buyers still think in horsepower. A 150 kW motor is about 201 hp. Peak and continuous ratings differ for electric motors, so compare like with like. A kw to hp conversion only changes the unit, not which rating is quoted.
Small motors are easier to grasp in watts. An EU-legal e-bike motor is rated at 250 W, about 0.34 hp. A 3 kW electric outboard is about 4 hp, which is why makers advertise it as a replacement for a small petrol outboard. For home tools, a 1.5 kW table saw is about 2 hp.
Metric horsepower (PS) is slightly smaller than mechanical hp, so the same 150 kW is about 204 PS.
Generators are rated in kW too. A 7.5 kW portable generator is about 10 hp of electrical output, and its engine needs to be larger than that to cover losses. Air conditioners and heat pumps in some markets list cooling capacity in kW as well, but that is heat moved, not motor power, so do not convert it to horsepower to size a motor. Compressor input power is a separate, smaller number on the label.
Related converters and calculators
Related conversions:
- Hp to kW: hp to kW
- Horsepower calculator: from torque and rpm
- Engine horsepower calculator: quarter mile
- Power unit converter: W and BTU/h
Sources
NIST Special Publication 811, Appendix B; IEC 60072-1: Dimensions and output series for rotating electrical machines.
Questions about this calculator
How do I convert kW to hp?
Multiply by 1.34102. For example, 50 kW ≈ 67.05 hp.
How many hp is 1 kW?
About 1.34102 mechanical hp, or 1.35962 PS.
What is the difference between hp and PS?
hp (mechanical) is 745.7 W; PS (metric) is 735.5 W, about 1.4% smaller.
How many watts is 1 hp for motors?
Electric motor ratings use 746 W per hp.
What is 200 kW in hp?
About 268.2 hp.
Check the assumptions and units before relying on a result. Financial, tax and health estimates do not replace advice for your individual circumstances.
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