Power Converter

Convert watts, kilowatts, horsepower and BTU per hour.

Value

Decimal places

From

1 kW in horsepower (mechanical)

1.341022 hp

1 kW = 1.3410221 hp

1 kW expressed in every power unit.
Unit	Symbol	Value
Watt	W	1,000
Kilowatt	kW	1
Megawatt	MW	0.001000
Gigawatt	GW	0.000001
Horsepower (mechanical)	hp	1.341022
Horsepower (metric)	PS	1.359622
BTU per hour	BTU/h	3,412.141633
Foot-pound per second	ft·lb/s	737.562149

What does Power Converter do?

Convert between eight power units, keeping mechanical and metric horsepower separate — they differ by about 1.4%, which matters when comparing vehicle specifications across markets.

How to Use Power Converter

1
Enter a power valueAny number.
2
Select the unitsCheck which horsepower you mean.
3
Read the conversionsEvery unit updates.

Key Features

Eight units including both horsepower definitions
Mechanical hp and metric PS listed separately
BTU per hour for heating and cooling equipment
Reference values for common appliances and vehicles
All units shown simultaneously

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between hp and PS?

Mechanical horsepower is 745.7 W and metric horsepower (PS or CV) is 735.5 W. European manufacturers quote PS, so a "150 hp" German car is really 148 mechanical hp. The 1.4% gap explains many spec-sheet discrepancies.

How many watts in one horsepower?

745.7 for mechanical horsepower, or 735.5 for metric. James Watt defined the original unit from the rate a horse could lift coal, and it stuck.

How do I convert air conditioner BTU to kilowatts?

Divide BTU per hour by 3,412. A 12,000 BTU/h unit is about 3.5 kW of cooling capacity. Note that this is cooling output, not the electricity it consumes.

What is the difference between power and energy?

Power is the rate; energy is the total. A 2 kW heater has a power of 2 kW and consumes 2 kWh of energy each hour it runs. Bills charge for energy, ratings describe power.