Calcylator
Kilowatts to Mechanical Horsepower

kW to hp:
multiply by 1.34102

Convert kilowatts to mechanical horsepower for engines, motors and pumps, with a chart, worked examples and the metric horsepower trap.

Calcylator Editorial Team

Updated · 5 min read

How many horsepower are in a kilowatt?

One kilowatt is 1.34102209 mechanical horsepower, so 1 kW is roughly 1.34 hp. Put the other way, one mechanical horsepower is 0.7456998716 kW, or about 745.7 watts.

This page uses the mechanical horsepower, the unit also called imperial or brake horsepower in everyday talk. Other horsepower definitions exist, and they give slightly different answers, which is why the unit name matters.

The kW to hp formula

Kilowatts to mechanical horsepower =hp = kW × 1.34102209
hp:
power in mechanical horsepower
kW:
power in kilowatts
1.34102209:
horsepower in one kilowatt
To go the other way, multiply hp by 0.7456998716 to get kW.

  • Power

    15 kW

  • Multiply

    15 × 1.34102209

Power in hp

20.12 hp

The full result is 20.11533135 hp.

For a mental estimate, take the kW figure and add a third. Fifteen kW plus a third is 20, close to the exact 20.1.

  1. Read the power rating in kilowatts from the plate or spec sheet.
  2. Multiply by 1.34102209.
  3. For hp to kW, multiply by 0.7456998716.
  4. Check by adding one third to the kW figure.

Chart: kilowatts to horsepower from 1 to 1000

Use the exact values below for specifications and round to one decimal for talk.

Kilowatts to mechanical horsepower
KilowattsHorsepower
11.34102209
22.682044179
56.705110448
1013.4102209
2533.52555224
5067.05110448
100134.102209
250335.2555224
500670.5110448
10001341.02209

Notice that 100 kW is about 134 hp, a figure seen on many small cars.

Where kW to hp matters

Cars and motorbikes sold in Europe often list power in kilowatts, while US buyers and magazines talk in horsepower. A 110 kW engine becomes 110 × 1.34102209 = 147.5 hp.

Electric motors work the same way. A 2.2 kW workshop motor is 2.2 × 1.34102209 = 2.95 hp, which is close to 3 hp.

In reverse, a 150 hp outboard engine delivers 150 × 0.7456998716 = 111.9 kW, a figure you would use when sizing a generator or a cable run.

Keep the conversion in the right direction when comparing quotes. A 5 kW compressor is 6.7 hp, so it should not be sold as a 7 hp unit. If a label claims more horsepower than the kilowatt rating converts to, the figure is probably a peak value rather than continuous output.

Common mistakes converting kW to hp

  • Confusing mechanical hp with metric hp. Metric horsepower, often written PS, is 735.49875 W, about 1.4 percent smaller, so figures from European brochures can differ slightly.
  • Dividing when you should multiply. One kW is more than one horsepower in number, so the hp figure is larger.
  • Mixing kW with kWh. A kilowatt is power and a kilowatt-hour is energy.
  • Using 746 W for hp in every case. That electrical horsepower is close to, but not the same as, the 745.7 W of mechanical hp.

Common questions

How many hp is 1 kW?

One kilowatt is 1.34102209 mechanical horsepower, about 1.34 hp. To convert, multiply the kW by 1.34102209. A 100 kW motor is therefore about 134 hp, and a 10 kW motor is about 13.4 hp.

How do I convert kW to hp?

Multiply the kilowatts by 1.34102209. For example, 15 kW is 15 × 1.34102209 = 20.12 hp. For a quick estimate add one third of the kW figure, which gives 20 hp in this case.

How many kW is 1 hp?

One mechanical horsepower is 0.7456998716 kW, about 0.746 kW or 745.7 watts. Multiply the hp by 0.7456998716 to convert, so a 150 hp engine is about 111.9 kW of power.

Is metric horsepower the same as mechanical hp?

No. A metric horsepower is 735.49875 W and a mechanical horsepower is 745.7 W, so they differ by about 1.4 percent. This converter uses mechanical horsepower, so check the unit before comparing figures.

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