Power Converter
Convert between watts, kilowatts, megawatts, and the three variants of horsepower (mechanical, metric, and electric). Each horsepower variant has a slightly different value.
Quick Converter
Result
1 kW = 1.34102 hp
hp = kW × 1.3410220895950279
About Power Units
Power is the rate at which energy is produced or consumed, measured in watts (1 W = 1 J/s). The watt is an SI derived unit. Three different "horsepower" units remain in use, each with a slightly different value.
The three horsepower units
- Mechanical (or imperial) horsepower (hp): exactly 550 ft·lb/s, equal to 745.6998715822702 W. Used in the US and UK for engines and motors.
- Metric horsepower (PS or cv or pk): exactly 735.49875 W. Used in continental Europe and Japan for automotive ratings.
- Electric horsepower (hp(E)): exactly 746 W. Historically used in electrical contexts.
The mechanical and metric horsepower differ by about 1.4%, so "200 hp" means slightly different things depending on the country. When comparing engine specifications internationally, verify which horsepower variant is used.
Common power references
- LED bulb: 5–15 W
- Incandescent bulb: 40–100 W
- Typical laptop: 30–90 W
- Microwave oven: 700–1200 W
- Domestic electric kettle: 1500–3000 W
- Passenger car engine: 60–200 kW (80–270 hp)
- Formula 1 car engine: ~750 kW (1000 hp)
- Wind turbine (modern): 1–10 MW
- Nuclear reactor unit: 500–1500 MW