How to Convert Horsepower to Megawatts (hp to MW)
Power conversions help compare car engines in hp and kW, and air-con units rated in BTU/h against their electrical draw in watts. This guide shows how to convert horsepower into megawatts by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert horsepower to megawatts, multiply the value by 0.0007456999. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 1,341.0220888438). Because the factor is tiny, scientific notation keeps the numbers manageable.
Megawatts = horsepower × 0.0007456999
Worked examples
- 3 hp = 0.002237 MW
- 12.5 hp = 0.009321 MW
- 75 hp = 0.055927 MW
Horsepower to Megawatts table
| Horsepower | Megawatts |
|---|---|
| 1 hp | 0.000746 MW |
| 2 hp | 0.001491 MW |
| 5 hp | 0.003728 MW |
| 10 hp | 0.007457 MW |
| 20 hp | 0.014914 MW |
| 25 hp | 0.018642 MW |
| 50 hp | 0.037285 MW |
| 100 hp | 0.07457 MW |
| 250 hp | 0.186425 MW |
| 500 hp | 0.37285 MW |
| 1,000 hp | 0.7457 MW |
Common questions
Is hp to MW exact?
The factors used here are the internationally defined values where they exist; results are rounded for display only.
How do I convert back?
Use the Megawatts to Horsepower converter.
Mistakes to avoid
Mixing similar-sounding units
US and imperial gallons, pints and tons are different sizes, and decimal kilobytes differ from binary kibibytes.
Multiplying when you should divide
Converting to a smaller unit gives a bigger number, and converting to a larger unit gives a smaller one. If your answer moves the wrong way, you have inverted the factor.
Forgetting squared and cubed units
Area and volume factors are the length factor squared or cubed, so 1 m² is about 10.76 sq ft, not 3.28.
Background
Singapore adopted the metric system in the 1970s, replacing imperial units and traditional Chinese measures in most official uses. Metric units are now standard in schools, trade and government, but older units survive in property, markets and imported goods.
Many conversion factors are exact by definition. The inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres since 1959, and the pound as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms, so conversions involving them can be as precise as you need.
A conversion table is handy for common values, but a calculator is faster and avoids interpolation errors for anything in between.
For any value, use the Horsepower to Megawatts Converter or browse all power converters.
Run your own numbers: Horsepower to Megawatts Converter