Convert any power unit
Convert between watts, kilowatts, horsepower and metric horsepower. The result updates as you type, and negative values are accepted for power flowing in the opposite direction.
Every unit is defined against the watt. Horsepower (hp) is the mechanical (imperial) horsepower, 550 foot-pounds of force per second; metric horsepower (PS), used for car engines in much of Europe, is listed separately.
Units at a glance
| Unit | Symbol | Size |
|---|---|---|
| watts | W | The base unit for power. |
| kilowatts | kW | 1 kilowatt = 1,000 watts |
| horsepower | hp | 1 horsepower = 745.699871582 watts |
| metric horsepower | PS | 1 metric horsepower = 735.49875 watts |
Horsepower is not one size
Metric horsepower (PS, CV or pferdestärke), used for cars in continental Europe, is slightly smaller than the mechanical horsepower, by about 1.4%. Electrical horsepower is different again. Check which one a figure uses before you convert.
Power and energy
Power is the rate of using energy. A kilowatt is a rate, and a kilowatt-hour is an amount. Use the energy converter for kilowatt-hours.