Kilowatts to Horsepower Conversion Calculator

Kilowatt (kW) to Horsepower (hp) Converter

Symbol: kW (kilowatt), hp (horsepower)

Kilowatts and horsepower are units of power measurement, with kilowatts being part of the metric system (SI) and horsepower being a traditional unit of power.

Formula: 1 kilowatt = 1.34102 horsepower

Common Conversions:

  • 1 kW = 1.34 hp
  • 10 kW = 13.41 hp
  • 50 kW = 67.05 hp
  • 100 kW = 134.1 hp
  • 1 hp = 0.7457 kW

Kilowatt (kW)
Horsepower (hp)

Conversion Result

1 kW=
1.000 hp

Use the converter above to calculate different values and units

What are Power Measurements?

Power measurements quantify the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. Kilowatts and horsepower are two common units used for measuring power, with kilowatts being the standard SI unit used worldwide and horsepower traditionally used in mechanical systems.

The relationship between kilowatts and horsepower is precisely defined: 1 kilowatt equals approximately 1.34102 horsepower. This conversion is essential for comparing power specifications between different systems, particularly when dealing with engines, motors, and electrical equipment from different regions or industries.

Learn more from NIST or Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM).

Common Kilowatts to Horsepower Conversions

Kilowatts (kW)Horsepower (hp)Common Reference
11.34102Small electric motor
1013.41Small outboard boat motor
5067.05Vintage motorcycle engine
75100.58Small car engine
110147.51Standard sedan engine
200268.20Sports car engine
500670.51Small industrial generator
1,0001,341.02Large ship engine

Practical Use Cases

  • Automotive: Converting power specifications from European (kilowatt) to US/UK (horsepower) standards
  • Industrial Equipment: Understanding power ratings of machinery, pumps, and motors when comparing international equipment
  • Electrical Engineering: Converting electrical power measurements to mechanical power equivalents
  • Renewable Energy: Comparing electric motor outputs with traditional engine power in hybrid and electric vehicles
  • Marine Applications: Converting power ratings for boat engines and equipment across different measurement standards
  • Consumer Appliances: Understanding the equivalent mechanical power output of high-wattage electrical devices

Educational Resource

This educational video explains the relationship between kilowatts and horsepower and demonstrates how to convert between these units with practical examples and applications.

Conversion Tools

Download Conversion Chart (PDF)

Get our comprehensive kilowatts to horsepower conversion chart for quick reference when you're offline.

Kilowatts to Horsepower Conversion FAQs

Find answers to common questions about converting between kilowatts and horsepower.