Kilowatts to HorsepowerFree online conversion calculator — instant results, no sign-up
Convert kilowatts to mechanical horsepower and back.
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About the Kilowatts to Horsepower
The Kilowatts to Horsepower calculator converts power in kilowatts (kW) to mechanical horsepower (hp) and shows the reverse conversion relationship. With the default input of 1 kilowatt, it reports 1.341022 horsepower. This tool uses mechanical horsepower, not metric horsepower.
- Value in kilowatts (kilowatts)
- Enter the power to convert in kilowatts (kW); the default value is 1.
Formula and method
P_hp = P_kW / 0.7456998715822702; conversely, P_kW = P_hp × 0.7456998715822702. Rounded displayed relationships: 1 kW = 1.341022 hp and 1 hp = 0.7457 kW.
- P_kWPower expressed in kilowatts.
- P_hpThe same power expressed in mechanical horsepower.
Divide the entered kilowatt value by the kilowatts per mechanical horsepower, approximately 0.7456998715822702. For the default input, dividing 1 by this factor gives 1.341022 horsepower when rounded to six decimal places. The reverse relationship uses multiplication by the same factor and is displayed as 1 horsepower = 0.7457 kilowatts.
Worked example
These are the calculator's starting values and the results it actually produces for them.
Inputs
- Value in kilowatts1 kilowatts
Results
- horsepower1.341022
- 1 kilowatts =1.341022 horsepower
- 1 horsepower =0.7457 kilowatts
How to use the Kilowatts to Horsepower
- 1Enter the power in the Value in kilowatts (kilowatts) field, or leave the default value of 1.
- 2Read the horsepower result: the default input gives horsepower = 1.341022.
- 3Check the forward equivalence row, which shows 1 kilowatts = = 1.341022 horsepower for the default input.
- 4Read the reverse equivalence row, 1 horsepower = = 0.7457 kilowatts, to see the conversion back to kilowatts.
- 5For a reverse conversion, multiply the mechanical horsepower value by the full conversion factor when available, or by 0.7457 for an approximate result.
Reading your result
The horsepower result is the entered power expressed in mechanical horsepower. The forward equivalence row, “1 kilowatts = = 1.341022 horsepower,” repeats that conversion alongside its units. The reverse equivalence row, “1 horsepower = = 0.7457 kilowatts,” gives the kilowatt equivalent of one mechanical horsepower. The repeated equals signs in these displayed rows should be read as a single equality; they do not indicate an additional operation.
Limitations
Displayed values are rounded, so converting back with the displayed factors can introduce small rounding differences. Mechanical horsepower differs from metric horsepower (PS or CV) and other horsepower definitions. This is a unit conversion, not an estimate of motor efficiency: converting electrical input kilowatts does not establish mechanical shaft output horsepower. Kilowatts measure power, whereas kilowatt-hours measure energy and cannot be converted directly with this tool.
Common questions
How many mechanical horsepower are in the default 1 kilowatt?+
The calculator displays 1.341022 horsepower for 1 kilowatt.
How do I convert mechanical horsepower back to kilowatts?+
Multiply horsepower by approximately 0.7456998715822702. The displayed reverse relationship is 1 horsepower = 0.7457 kilowatts.
Is the horsepower result the same as metric horsepower or PS?+
No. This calculator uses mechanical horsepower. Metric horsepower, commonly labeled PS or CV, has a different power definition and requires a different conversion factor.
Does entering a motor’s electrical input in kilowatts give its shaft horsepower?+
No. It expresses electrical input power in horsepower units. To estimate shaft horsepower, first account for motor efficiency, then convert the resulting mechanical output power.
Does the calculator save my information?+
Calculations run in your browser. While signed in, inputs and results are automatically recorded in account history; saving a result creates a separate saved record.
Further reading
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Results are estimates for informational purposes and are not financial, medical or legal advice.