KW to HP Converter
Convert kilowatts to horsepower — one kilowatt is 1.341 mechanical horsepower. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One kilowatt is 1.341 horsepower (mechanical) — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the kw 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).
The UK is metric for most trade and science but keeps miles, pints, stone and mpg (with the imperial gallon) in daily life.
Common power conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1.341 hp | kilowatt to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 5 kW | 6.7051 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 10 kW | 13.4102 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 25 kW | 33.5256 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 50 kW | 67.0511 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 75 kW | 100.5767 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 100 kW | 134.1022 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 150 kW | 201.1533 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 200 kW | 268.2044 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 250 kW | 335.2555 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 500 kW | 670.511 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 1,000 kW | 1,341.0221 hp | kilowatts 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 1 kW?
1.34102 mechanical horsepower.
What is 150 kW in hp?
201 hp.
Is metric horsepower different?
Yes — the metric PS is 0.9863 hp, so a car quoted at 200 PS is 197 hp.
Where did horsepower come from?
James Watt measured what a working horse could lift, to sell steam engines against them.
Which is the SI unit?
The watt. Horsepower survives mainly in vehicles and older machinery.
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 Physical Laboratory (NPL) — United Kingdom's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.