HP to PS Converter
Convert mechanical horsepower to metric horsepower (PS) — PS is about 1.4% smaller. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One horsepower (mechanical) is 1.0139 metric horsepower (PS) — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the hp to ps converter works
Power converts through the watt. Mechanical horsepower is 550 ft·lbf/s = 745.6999 W; metric horsepower (PS, used in European car specs) is 735.4988 W. Air-conditioner capacities are quoted in kW, BTU/h (1 W = 3.412 BTU/h) or tons of refrigeration (3.517 kW).
Australia is fully metric under the National Measurement Act 1960; imperial units appear only in trade with the US and in older documents.
Common power conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 50 hp | 50.6935 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 75 hp | 76.0402 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 100 hp | 101.387 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 125 hp | 126.7337 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 150 hp | 152.0804 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 200 hp | 202.7739 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 250 hp | 253.4674 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 300 hp | 304.1609 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 400 hp | 405.5479 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 500 hp | 506.9348 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 700 hp | 709.7088 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
| 1,000 hp | 1,013.8697 PS | horsepower (mechanical) to metric horsepower (PS) |
Units in this converter and their exact factors
| Unit | Symbol | One unit in watts |
|---|---|---|
| watt | W | 1 watt |
| kilowatt | kW | 1,000 watt |
| megawatt | MW | 1,000,000 watt |
| horsepower (mechanical) | hp | 745.6998715823 watt |
| metric horsepower (PS) | PS | 735.49875 watt |
| BTU per hour | BTU/h | 0.29307107 watt |
| ton of refrigeration | TR | 3,516.8528421 watt |
FAQFrequently asked questions about power conversion
What is PS?
Pferdestärke — metric horsepower, defined as 75 kg·m/s, which is 735.5 W against mechanical horsepower's 745.7 W.
How much bigger is hp than PS?
About 1.4%. A 300 hp engine is 304 PS.
Why do European cars quote PS?
It is the traditional continental unit; German and Japanese makers use it, and the UK press often converts to bhp.
Is bhp the same as hp?
Brake horsepower is mechanical horsepower measured at the crankshaft, so numerically the same unit.
What is 1 PS in kW?
0.7355 kW.
Where these figures come from
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure, 9th edition) — definitions of the base and derived units.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — the exact conversion factors used here.
- National Measurement Institute (NMI) — Australia's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.