Skip to content
ConvertPass home
Search

Units

Power converter

Convert kW and horsepower without mixing mechanical hp and metric PS.

This tool processes files and text locally in your browser. Your content is not uploaded or stored by this site.

Loading the workbench…

What this tool does

The watt is the base. Mechanical horsepower is 550 foot-pounds per second (745.6998715822702 W). Metric horsepower, PS, is 735.49875 W. ConvertPass labels both instead of picking one ‘hp’.

How to use it

  1. Enter the power.
  2. Pick watts or a labelled horsepower.
  3. Convert and copy the JSON.

Supported input

  • A number and two power units from the menu

Output

  • JSON with the converted power plus every other unit in the family

Privacy

This tool processes files and text locally in your browser. Your content is not uploaded or stored by this site.

ConvertPass does not include your input in analytics, URLs, or error reports. Encoding: Decimal numbers / SI watt. Limit: A single power (4.0 KB).

Limitations

  • Brake, shaft, and indicated horsepower are not distinguished. This is a unit convert, not a dyno.
  • Boiler horsepower and electric horsepower (746 W exactly) are not in the menu.
  • Negative power is refused.

Example

Input
1 mechanical hp → kW
Output
{
  "result": 0.745699871582,
  "formatted": "1 hp = 0.745699871582 kW"
}

Troubleshooting

A EU car advert in PS does not match SAE hp
Pick metric PS, not mechanical hp. Marketing horsepower also depends on the test standard, which this page does not apply.

FAQ

Why two horsepower entries?

Because they differ by about ten watts. A silent ‘hp’ would be a lie in one of the two markets.

Is a kilowatt 1000 watts?

Yes.

Can I convert VA or VAR?

No. Apparent and reactive power need a power factor. This family is real power in watts.

Does this convert energy?

No. Power is energy per time. Use the energy converter for kWh.

Related tools

Related formats

Last reviewed 16 August 2026. Report a problem. Reports do not include your input.