Power Converter
Convert power between watts, kilowatts, mechanical horsepower, metric horsepower and BTU per hour
Converted power
How we calculated it
About the Power Converter
Power Converter changes rates of energy transfer between units such as watts, kilowatts, megawatts and horsepower. It is useful for motors, engines, appliances and generation equipment whose ratings use different systems.
Power is not energy. A 2 kW device has a power rate; how much energy it consumes depends on how long it runs.
How to Use the Power Converter
- Type the known power rating.
- Specify the existing unit, including the horsepower convention when relevant.
- Choose the unit required for the final specification.
- Convert the rating and keep it separate from energy, which also requires a duration.
How the Calculation Works
The converter uses watts as a common power basis. One watt equals one joule per second.
Mechanical horsepower is approximately 745.7 W, while metric horsepower is approximately 735.5 W. The selected horsepower convention therefore matters for precise conversion.
Worked example
Power Converter Worked Example
100 kW to mechanical horsepower
100 kW = 100,000 W. 100,000÷745.7 ≈ 134.1 mechanical hp.
Result guide
Understanding Your Power Converter Result
The converted value is the same power capacity expressed in another unit. It does not indicate how much energy is consumed over a day or how much torque an engine produces at a particular RPM. When comparing engine, motor and electrical equipment, note where the rating is measured. Shaft output, electrical input and engine crank output can all be quoted as power, yet efficiency losses make them different physical points in the same system.
Before you rely on the answer
Assumptions and Limitations
- Source and target units measure power.
- Horsepower convention is identified correctly.
- No efficiency or duty-cycle adjustment is applied.
Practical tip
Using This Result in Practice
For motors and engines, distinguish input power from output power. A converter can change units accurately but cannot account for mechanical or electrical losses unless efficiency is separately modeled.
Related calculations
Useful Calculations to Continue With
If you want to derive horsepower from torque and RPM rather than convert a known power rating, use the Horsepower Calculator.
If you need total energy rather than a power rate, use the Energy Converter.
Common questions
Power Converter FAQ
How many watts are in mechanical horsepower?
Approximately 745.7 W.
Is metric horsepower identical to mechanical horsepower?
No. Metric horsepower is slightly smaller.
Can I convert kW directly to kWh?
Not without time. kW is power, while kWh is energy.