How to Convert Kilowatts to Horsepower (kW to hp)
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 kilowatts into horsepower by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert kilowatts to horsepower, multiply the value by 1.3410220888. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 0.745699872). For a quick estimate, multiply by about 1.3.
Horsepower = kilowatts × 1.3410220888
Worked examples
- 3 kW = 4.0231 hp
- 12.5 kW = 16.7628 hp
- 75 kW = 100.5767 hp
Kilowatts to Horsepower table
| Kilowatts | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1.341 hp |
| 2 kW | 2.682 hp |
| 5 kW | 6.7051 hp |
| 10 kW | 13.4102 hp |
| 20 kW | 26.8204 hp |
| 25 kW | 33.5256 hp |
| 50 kW | 67.0511 hp |
| 100 kW | 134.1022 hp |
| 250 kW | 335.2555 hp |
| 500 kW | 670.511 hp |
| 1,000 kW | 1,341.02 hp |
Common questions
Is kW to hp 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 Horsepower to Kilowatts converter.
Mistakes to avoid
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.
Rounding the factor too early
Using 3 instead of 3.28 for feet per metre introduces an error of almost 9% before you have started.
Mixing similar-sounding units
US and imperial gallons, pints and tons are different sizes, and decimal kilobytes differ from binary kibibytes.
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.
Unit conversion is simply multiplication by a fixed ratio. The ratio between two units of the same quantity never changes, so once you know it you can convert any value in either direction.
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 Kilowatts to Horsepower Converter or browse all power converters.
Run your own numbers: Kilowatts to Horsepower Converter