Unit Converter
Convert From Horsepower to Kilowatts and Vice Versa
Horsepower ↔ Kilowatts
Type in either horsepower or kilowatts — it’ll convert to the other automatically!
🚘 What is Horsepower (hp)?
Horsepower is an imperial unit of power originally used to measure the output of steam engines. Today, it's commonly used in the **automotive industry**, **machinery**, and **engines**. 1 horsepower (mechanical) = 0.7457 kilowatts (kW).
⚡ What is a Kilowatt (kW)?
A kilowatt is a **metric (SI)** unit of power equal to 1,000 watts. It’s used globally to measure **electrical output**, **motor capacity**, and **appliance ratings**. 1 kW ≈ 1.341 horsepower.
🧠 Quick Comparison
| Unit | Equivalent | Used In |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hp | 0.7457 kW | Cars, engines, U.S. specs |
| 1 kW | 1.341 hp | EVs, appliances, EU/Asia specs |
🧮 How to Convert
Horsepower to Kilowatts: kW = hp × 0.7457
Kilowatts to Horsepower: hp = kW × 1.341
Example:
150 hp × 0.7457 = 111.86 kW
💡 Pro Tip
If you're comparing an **electric vehicle (in kW)** to a **gas car (in hp)**, just multiply the kW value by **1.341** to get its rough horsepower.
🎉 Did You Know?
The term “horsepower” was coined by **James Watt** to market steam engines as a better alternative to horses. He calculated 1 hp as the work done by a horse turning a mill wheel 144 times per hour!
🚙 Real-World Power Examples
- 1 hp – Chainsaw or small outboard motor
- 50 hp – Small city car or motorcycle
- 150 hp – Average sedan or hatchback
- 300 kW – High-performance EV (like Tesla Model S)
📊 Horsepower to Kilowatts Conversion Chart
| Horsepower (hp) | Kilowatts (kW) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.75 |
| 50 | 37.29 |
| 100 | 74.57 |
| 150 | 111.86 |
| 300 | 223.71 |
| 500 | 372.85 |
📜 Timeline: Horsepower to Kilowatt
- 1782: James Watt popularizes “horsepower” to describe engine strength
- 1960s: Kilowatts standardized in the metric system
- Modern day: Both units used — kW in EU/Asia, hp in U.S.
🌐 When to Use hp vs kW
- 🚗 hp: Used in U.S., classic car specs, performance engines
- ⚡ kW: Used in EVs, appliances, motors, EU regulations
- 🧮 Quick Tip: Multiply hp × 0.75 for a simple kW estimate
🎯 Interactive Converter
150 hp = 111.86 kW