In 1 horsepower there are 0.7457 kilowatts. Meanwhile in 1 kilowatts there are 1.341022 horsepower. Keep reading to learn more about each unit of measure and how they are calculated. Or just use the Kilowatts to Horsepower calculator above to convert any number.
* Values rounded to 6 decimal places for readability
To convert horsepower (hp) to kilowatts (kW), use a fixed conversion factor. Horsepower is a unit of power, and kilowatts are the metric (SI) unit of power.
Quick example:
Tip: If you need a rough estimate, multiply horsepower by 0.75 to get close to kilowatts.
Horsepower (hp) and kilowatts (kW) both measure power. Horsepower is common for engines and motors, while kilowatts are used in electric and metric-based specs. Converting hp to kW helps you compare ratings across labels, manuals, and standards.
Use this formula:
Example:
Round to the level of detail you need, like two decimals for most specs.
For mechanical horsepower, 1 hp = 0.7457 kW.
That means three-quarters of a kilowatt is close to 1 hp.
Yes. The two common types are:
They’re close, but not the same, so the type matters when you need accuracy.
Mechanical horsepower is slightly larger.
If you convert the wrong type, your result can be off by about 1 to 2 percent.
Use this formula:
Example:
This is common for vehicle specs that use PS or cv.
Use one of these, based on horsepower type:
Example (mechanical):
They measure the same thing, but they use different unit sizes. Kilowatts are smaller than horsepower, so the kW number is lower for the same power output. The math keeps them equal in meaning.
No. Torque is a twisting force. Horsepower is how fast work gets done. They’re linked by engine speed (RPM). A motor can have high torque at low speed and still have modest horsepower.
No. The power stays the same. Only the unit name and number change. Conversion lets you compare power ratings in a consistent way.
kW is the motor’s rated power output (or sometimes input, based on the label). It’s often used in electric motor and industrial specs. If you also see hp, the values should match after conversion, within rounding and rating rules.
Small gaps happen for a few reasons:
Check the unit type and whether the rating is continuous or peak.
These are approximate (mechanical hp):
Use more decimals when you need tighter accuracy.
The Calculate Box tool to convert horsepower to kilowatts uses the open source script Convert.js to convert units of measurement. To use this tool, simply type a horsepower value in the box and have it instantly converted to kilowatts.