Converting Horsepower to Kilowatts

This horsepower to kilowatts calculator converts using the exact definitions: mechanical hp at 745.699872 W, metric PS at 735.49875 W, and electric hp at 746 W. Multiply horsepower by the watts-per-unit and divide by 1,000 for kilowatts.

The Three Horsepower Standards

Imperial horsepower was calibrated against draft horses pulling a mill wheel; the metric Pferdestärke approximates the same idea with round metric numbers; and electric motors standardized on 746 W. The 1–2% differences matter when comparing spec sheets across regions.

Why kW Is Replacing hp

Kilowatts are the SI unit and appear on every electric vehicle, motor, and generator nameplate. The horsepower-to-kW conversion is becoming the one most buyers need as automotive marketing shifts to metric power figures.