PS to HP Converter
Convert metric horsepower (PS) to mechanical horsepower — multiply by 0.9863. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One metric horsepower (PS) is 0.9863 horsepower (mechanical) — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the ps to hp 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 PS | 49.316 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 75 PS | 73.974 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 100 PS | 98.632 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 125 PS | 123.29 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 150 PS | 147.948 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 200 PS | 197.264 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 250 PS | 246.58 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 300 PS | 295.896 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 400 PS | 394.528 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 500 PS | 493.16 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 700 PS | 690.424 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 1,000 PS | 986.3201 hp | metric horsepower (PS) to horsepower (mechanical) |
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
How many hp is 300 PS?
295.9 hp.
Why are there two horsepowers?
Watt defined the original from a horse lifting 550 foot-pounds a second; continental Europe defined its own from 75 kilogram-metres a second. They differ by 1.4%.
Which is used where?
PS in Germany, Japan and much of Europe; hp in the US and UK; kW everywhere official.
What is 1 PS in watts?
735.5 W.
Does the difference matter?
Only for comparing quoted figures — a car advertised at 300 PS in Germany is 296 hp in a US review.
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.