Power Converter
Convert watts, kilowatts, horsepower and BTU per hour.
Power Converter
Universal unit converter engine
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
- 1Enter a power valueAny number.
- 2Select the unitsCheck which horsepower you mean.
- 3Read 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.
Conversions run in your browser using fixed, published factors. Nothing you enter is transmitted, and the tool keeps working with the network disconnected.
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