Power Converter

Convert power units. Exact factors, a quick reference table and worked examples.

1 kW = 1.341022 hp

The same value in every unit

UnitSymbolValue
WattW1 000
KilowattkW1
MegawattMW0.001
Horsepower (mechanical)hp1.341022
Metric horsepowerPS1.359622
BTU per hourBTU/h3 412.142
Kilocalorie per hourkcal/h859.8452
Foot-pound per secondft·lbf/s737.5621

How to convert power units

Every power unit is related to one base unit (Watt, W) by an exact factor. To convert, multiply by the factor of the unit you start from and divide by the factor of the unit you want.

value in new unit = value × (factor of old unit ÷ factor of new unit)

For example, 1 kW = 1 000 W and 1 hp = 745.6999 W, so 1 kW = 1.341022 hp.

Quick reference table

How many of the units in the column headings make up one of the unit in each row.

One…= W= kW= MW= hp= PS= BTU/h
1 W10.0011 × 10⁻⁶0.0013410220.0013596223.412142
1 kW1 00010.0011.3410221.3596223 412.142
1 MW1 000 0001 00011 341.0221 359.6223 412 142
1 hp745.69990.74569990.000745699911.013872 544.434
1 PS735.49880.73549880.00073549880.986320112 509.626
1 BTU/h0.29307110.00029307112.93071 × 10⁻⁷0.00039301480.00039846581
1 kcal/h1.1630.0011631.163 × 10⁻⁶0.0015596090.001581243.968321
1 ft·lbf/s1.3558180.0013558181.35582 × 10⁻⁶0.0018181820.0018433994.626243

Common values: kW to hp

Kilowatt (kW)Horsepower (mechanical) (hp)
1 kW1.341022 hp
2 kW2.682044 hp
5 kW6.70511 hp
10 kW13.41022 hp
20 kW26.82044 hp
50 kW67.0511 hp
100 kW134.1022 hp
200 kW268.2044 hp
500 kW670.511 hp
1 000 kW1 341.022 hp

Worked examples

Convert 1 kW to hp

  • 1 kW = 1 000 W and 1 hp = 745.6999 W.
  • 1 × 1 000 ÷ 745.6999 = 1.341022 hp.

Convert 50 MW to W

  • 1 MW = 1 000 000 W and 1 W = 1 W.
  • 50 × 1 000 000 ÷ 1 = 50 000 000 W.

Convert 250 ft·lbf/s to kW

  • 1 ft·lbf/s = 1.355818 W and 1 kW = 1 000 W.
  • 250 × 1.355818 ÷ 1 000 = 0.3389545 kW.

The units explained

UnitSymbolExact factorWhere it is used
WattW1 W = 1 WSI unit; electronics
KilowattkW1 kW = 1 000 WMotors, heaters
MegawattMW1 MW = 1 000 000 WPower stations
Horsepower (mechanical)hp1 hp = 745.6999 WUS motors and engines
Metric horsepowerPS1 PS = 735.4988 WEuropean engines
BTU per hourBTU/h1 BTU/h = 0.2930711 WUS heating and cooling
Kilocalorie per hourkcal/h1 kcal/h = 1.163 WOlder metric heating
Foot-pound per secondft·lbf/s1 ft·lbf/s = 1.355818 WUS mechanical power

Key facts

  • P = V × I for electrical power; P = T × ω for rotation. 1 W = 1 J/s.
  • 1 hp (mechanical) = 745.7 W. 1 PS (metric horsepower) = 735.5 W.

FAQ

How many Horsepower (mechanical) units are in one Kilowatt?

1 kW = 1.341022 hp.

How do I convert kW to hp?

Multiply by 1.341022 (the factor 1 000 ÷ 745.6999). To go back, divide by 1.341022 or multiply by 0.7456999.

What is the watt (W) used for?

SI unit; electronics.

What is the kilowatt (kW) used for?

Motors, heaters.

Are the conversion factors exact?

Where a unit is defined exactly (the inch is 25.4 mm, the pound is 0.45359237 kg, standard gravity is 9.80665 m/s²) the factor is exact; others are given to ten or more digits. Results are shown to seven significant digits.

References

  • NIST Special Publication 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), and NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C (general tables of units of measurement).
  • BIPM, The International System of Units (SI Brochure), 9th edition; ISO 80000 (quantities and units).

Last reviewed: November 2026.