Convert Megawatts to Horsepower

To convert megawatts (MW) to horsepower (hp), start with the right definition of horsepower. The most common types are mechanical horsepower and metric horsepower. Some industries also use hydraulic horsepower, which is based on fluid flow and pressure, not just electrical or shaft power.

• MW to mechanical horsepower (hp):
  Use 1 MW = 1,341.022 hp
  Formula: hp = MW × 1,341.022

• MW to metric horsepower (PS):
  Use 1 MW = 1,359.622 PS
  Formula: PS = MW × 1,359.622

Quick example:

• 2.5 MW × 1,341.022 = 3,352.555 hp (mechanical hp)

For accurate MW to hp conversion, always match the horsepower type to your use case before you calculate.

How do you convert megawatts (MW) to horsepower (hp)?

Convert megawatts to horsepower by multiplying MW by a conversion factor.

• Mechanical horsepower (hp): 1 MW = 1,341.02209 hp
• Metric horsepower (PS): 1 MW = 1,359.62162 PS
• Electric horsepower (hpE): 1 MW = 1,340.48257 hpE

What’s the difference between mechanical hp, metric hp (PS), and electric hp?

They measure power with slightly different standards.

• Mechanical horsepower (hp) is common in the US and uses 745.699872 W per hp.
• Metric horsepower (PS) is common in Europe and uses 735.49875 W per PS.
• Electric horsepower (hpE) is used in some motor ratings and uses 746 W per hpE.
  Those small watt differences change the MW to horsepower result.

Is 1 MW always the same number of horsepower?

No, the number changes based on the horsepower type.

• 1 MW equals about 1,341 hp (mechanical).
• 1 MW equals about 1,360 PS (metric).
• 1 MW equals about 1,340 hpE (electric).
  Pick the unit that matches your spec sheet.

How many horsepower is 0.5 MW?

Using common horsepower types:

• 0.5 MW = 670.511 hp (mechanical)
• 0.5 MW = 679.811 PS (metric)
• 0.5 MW = 670.241 hpE (electric)

How many horsepower is 2 MW?

Using common horsepower types:

• 2 MW = 2,682.044 hp (mechanical)
• 2 MW = 2,719.243 PS (metric)
• 2 MW = 2,680.965 hpE (electric)

How do you convert horsepower (hp) back to megawatts (MW)?

Divide horsepower by the matching conversion factor.

• MW (mechanical) = hp ÷ 1,341.02209
• MW (metric) = PS ÷ 1,359.62162
• MW (electric) = hpE ÷ 1,340.48257

Why does my motor’s MW rating not match its horsepower rating?

A few things can cause a mismatch:

• The rating uses different horsepower standards (hp vs PS vs hpE).
• Power may be listed as output power or input power.
• Efficiency and power factor can affect electrical input numbers.
• Some ratings use peak power, others use continuous power.

Does horsepower measure the same thing as electrical power in megawatts?

Both measure power, but they often come from different contexts. Megawatts usually describe electrical or mechanical power at scale. Horsepower is often used for engines and motors. The conversion works cleanly, but the real system may add losses from heat, friction, and drive systems.

Which horsepower unit should I use for generators and large motors?

Most specs use mechanical horsepower (hp) or kilowatts/megawatts. Some regions use metric horsepower (PS). For electric motors, you may also see hpE in older or mixed-unit documents. Match the unit used in the equipment manual or nameplate.

How accurate is the MW to horsepower conversion?

The math is exact when you use the correct definitions for each unit. Errors usually come from rounding or from mixing horsepower types. For reporting, keep a few decimal places in MW, then round horsepower to a sensible whole number.