🔌 Kilowatt to Horsepower (mechanical) Converter
Convert kilowatts (kW) to mechanical horsepower (HP). 1 kW ≈ 1.341 HP. Used for car engines and motors.
1 kW=1.341022 hp
Quick Reference: Kilowatt → Horsepower (mechanical)
| kW | hp |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.670511 |
| 1 | 1.341022 |
| 2 | 2.682044 |
| 3 | 4.023066 |
| 5 | 6.705109 |
| 10 | 13.410219 |
| 25 | 33.525546 |
| 50 | 67.051093 |
| 100 | 134.102186 |
About this conversion
Kilowatts are the SI measure of power; mechanical horsepower (hp) is still the standard for car and motor specifications in many markets. 1 kW ≈ 1.341 hp (mechanical) or 1.36 metric hp (PS).
Formula
hp = kW × 1.34102 (mechanical). For metric horsepower (PS) used in continental Europe: PS = kW × 1.35962.
Worked example
A 110 kW engine = 110 × 1.34102 ≈ 147.5 hp, or about 149.6 PS.
History & background
James Watt coined "horsepower" in the 1780s to market his steam engines against draft horses. Mechanical hp = 745.7 W; metric hp (PS) = 735.5 W and is still printed on European vehicle papers.
Common use cases
- Translating EV power ratings to traditional hp
- Comparing US and European car specs
- Sizing electric motors and generators
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hp in 100 kW?+
134.1 mechanical hp, or 135.96 metric PS.
Difference between hp and PS?+
Mechanical hp = 745.7 W, metric PS = 735.5 W. PS values are ~1.4% higher than hp for the same engine.
Are EVs measured in kW?+
Yes. Tesla, BMW i and most EU registrations report continuous power in kW.