Power Converter
Convert kilowatts to horsepower (and metric PS), watts, megawatts, BTU/h and tons of refrigeration — engines, motors, heaters and air-conditioners. 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 power 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) |
| 1 hp | 0.7457 kW | horsepower (mechanical) to kilowatts |
| 100 kW | 134.1022 hp | kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 300 hp | 223.71 kW | horsepower (mechanical) to kilowatts |
| 1 PS | 0.7355 kW | metric horsepower (PS) to kilowatts |
| 1 TR | 3.5169 kW | ton of refrigeration to kilowatts |
| 12,000 BTU/h | 3.5169 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 1 MW | 1,341.0221 hp | megawatt to horsepower (mechanical) |
| 2.5 kW | 8,530.3541 BTU/h | kilowatts to BTU per hour |
| 150 kW | 203.9432 PS | kilowatts 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
How many horsepower is a kilowatt?
1.341 mechanical hp, or 1.360 metric PS.
What is the difference between hp and PS?
PS (Pferdestärke) is 735.5 W; mechanical hp is 745.7 W — about 1.4% more. Car makers in Europe quote PS, in the US hp, in Australia kW.
How many BTU/h is a 2.5 kW air-conditioner?
About 8,530 BTU/h. A 12,000 BTU/h unit is 3.5 kW — one ton of refrigeration.
How many watts are in a megawatt?
One million watts (1,000 kW).
Is kW the same as kWh?
No — kW is power (a rate), kWh is energy (power × time). A 2 kW heater running for 3 hours uses 6 kWh.
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.