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 US uses customary units (US gallon, short ton, °F) in daily life; NIST SP 811 gives the exact SI factors.
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 Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — United States's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.