Convert Kilowatts to Horsepower
Instantly convert Kilowatts (kW) to Horsepower (hp) with our free online calculator.
Formula: kW to hp — multiply by 1.34102
Reference Table
| Kilowatts (kW) | Horsepower (hp) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.34102 |
| 5 | 6.70511 |
| 10 | 13.4102 |
| 25 | 33.5255 |
| 50 | 67.0511 |
| 100 | 134.102 |
How to Convert Kilowatts to Horsepower
Formula
To convert Kilowatts (kW) to Horsepower (hp): multiply by 1.34102
Step-by-Step
- Start with your value in Kilowatts (kW).
- Multiply by 1.34102 to perform the conversion.
- The result is your value expressed in Horsepower (hp).
Conversion Factor
1 kW = 1.34102 hp
Reverse Factor
1 hp = 0.7457 kW
Worked Example
Convert 25 Kilowatts to Horsepower: 25 kW = 33.5255 hp
About Kilowatt (kW)
A metric unit of power equal to exactly 1,000 watts. kW is the practical working unit for residential and commercial-scale appliances, systems, and energy infrastructure: residential electricity-billing rate units (utility tariffs in kWh = kilowatt-hours of energy delivered); electric kettle 1.5-3 kW; electric oven element 2-5 kW per element; central AC compressor 3-5 kW per ton of refrigeration; whole-home generator 10-22 kW; EV motor peak power (Nissan Leaf 110 kW = 147 hp; Tesla Model 3 LR 180 kW = 241 hp; Tesla Model S Plaid combined three-motor 760 kW = 1,020 hp; Lucid Air Sapphire 936 kW = 1,256 hp); home rooftop solar PV system 5-15 kW; commercial-rooftop PV 50-500 kW; utility-scale PV 1-1,000 MW (note: MW not kW). HVAC equipment in metric markets is rated in kW alongside ton-of-refrigeration (1 ton = 3.517 kW). Convert kW to horsepower by multiplying by 1.341; to BTU/hr by multiplying by 3,412.
About Horsepower (hp)
An imperial unit of power equal to approximately 745.7 watts (mechanical horsepower per NIST SP 811: 1 hp = 33,000 ft·lbf/min exactly = 550 ft·lbf/s = 745.69987158227022 W). Originally defined by James Watt in the 1780s by measuring how much coal a typical pit-pony could lift from a Cornish coal mine, then scaled up to match draft-horse-team output for marketing his steam engines. Horsepower remains the dominant US power unit for: passenger-car engines (a typical sedan 150-300 hp; full-size pickup 350-450 hp; Tesla Model S Plaid 1,020 hp; Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 1,578 hp), outboard motors (Mercury Verado 600 hp), agricultural tractors (John Deere 8R 410 hp), riding lawn equipment, residential HVAC blower motors, RV gen-sets, marine inboards, and industrial electric motors per NEMA MG-1 ratings. **Important**: 'Metric horsepower' or PS / CV (Pferdestärke / Cheval Vapeur) is slightly different at exactly 735.49875 W per 1985 EU directive — a detail that matters when comparing US-spec vs European-spec engine ratings (German auto-magazine '500 PS' is ~493 US hp). Convert hp to kW by multiplying by 0.7457; to BTU/hr by multiplying by 2,544.
Quick Facts
- 1 Kilowatt equals 1.34102 Horsepower
- 1 Horsepower equals 0.7457 Kilowatts
- Kilowatt is a unit of power
- Horsepower is a unit of power
- This conversion is commonly used in electrical systems, automotive performance, and HVAC sizing
- The Kilowatt belongs to the metric system
- The Horsepower belongs to the imperial system
Common Kilowatt to Horsepower Conversions
| Kilowatts (kW) | Horsepower (hp) |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.0134102 |
| 0.1 | 0.134102 |
| 0.25 | 0.335255 |
| 0.5 | 0.670511 |
| 1 | 1.34102 |
| 2 | 2.68204 |
| 3 | 4.02307 |
| 5 | 6.70511 |
| 10 | 13.4102 |
| 15 | 20.1153 |
| 20 | 26.8204 |
| 25 | 33.5255 |
| 50 | 67.0511 |
| 75 | 100.577 |
| 100 | 134.102 |
| 250 | 335.255 |
| 500 | 670.511 |
| 1000 | 1341.02 |
| 5000 | 6705.11 |
| 10000 | 13410.2 |
Understanding Kilowatts
The Kilowatt (symbol: kW) is a unit of power. A metric unit of power equal to exactly 1,000 watts. kW is the practical working unit for residential and commercial-scale appliances, systems, and energy infrastructure: residential electricity-billing rate units (utility tariffs in kWh = kilowatt-hours of energy delivered); electric kettle 1.5-3 kW; electric oven element 2-5 kW per element; central AC compressor 3-5 kW per ton of refrigeration; whole-home generator 10-22 kW; EV motor peak power (Nissan Leaf 110 kW = 147 hp; Tesla Model 3 LR 180 kW = 241 hp; Tesla Model S Plaid combined three-motor 760 kW = 1,020 hp; Lucid Air Sapphire 936 kW = 1,256 hp); home rooftop solar PV system 5-15 kW; commercial-rooftop PV 50-500 kW; utility-scale PV 1-1,000 MW (note: MW not kW). HVAC equipment in metric markets is rated in kW alongside ton-of-refrigeration (1 ton = 3.517 kW). Convert kW to horsepower by multiplying by 1.341; to BTU/hr by multiplying by 3,412.
It belongs to the metric measurement system.
Kilowatts are commonly used in electrical systems, automotive performance, and HVAC sizing.
Understanding Horsepower
The Horsepower (symbol: hp) is a unit of power. An imperial unit of power equal to approximately 745.7 watts (mechanical horsepower per NIST SP 811: 1 hp = 33,000 ft·lbf/min exactly = 550 ft·lbf/s = 745.69987158227022 W). Originally defined by James Watt in the 1780s by measuring how much coal a typical pit-pony could lift from a Cornish coal mine, then scaled up to match draft-horse-team output for marketing his steam engines. Horsepower remains the dominant US power unit for: passenger-car engines (a typical sedan 150-300 hp; full-size pickup 350-450 hp; Tesla Model S Plaid 1,020 hp; Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 1,578 hp), outboard motors (Mercury Verado 600 hp), agricultural tractors (John Deere 8R 410 hp), riding lawn equipment, residential HVAC blower motors, RV gen-sets, marine inboards, and industrial electric motors per NEMA MG-1 ratings. **Important**: 'Metric horsepower' or PS / CV (Pferdestärke / Cheval Vapeur) is slightly different at exactly 735.49875 W per 1985 EU directive — a detail that matters when comparing US-spec vs European-spec engine ratings (German auto-magazine '500 PS' is ~493 US hp). Convert hp to kW by multiplying by 0.7457; to BTU/hr by multiplying by 2,544.
It belongs to the imperial measurement system.
Horsepower are commonly used in electrical systems, automotive performance, and HVAC sizing.
Why Convert Kilowatts to Horsepower?
Power conversions between Kilowatts and Horsepower are needed in electrical engineering, automotive performance comparison, and HVAC system design. Motor ratings, generator capacities, and appliance specifications are published in different power units depending on the manufacturer and region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert Kilowatts to Horsepower?
A metric unit of power equal to exactly 1,000 watts. To convert Kilowatts to Horsepower, multiply by 1.34102. For example, 25 kW equals 33.5255 hp.
How many Horsepower are in 1 Kilowatt?
There are 1.34102 Horsepower in 1 Kilowatt.
How many Kilowatts are in 1 Horsepower?
There are 0.7457 Kilowatts in 1 Horsepower.
What is the formula for Kilowatt to Horsepower conversion?
The formula is: multiply by 1.34102. This means 1 kW = 1.34102 hp.
Is a Kilowatt bigger than a Horsepower?
No. One Kilowatt is smaller than one Horsepower because 1 kW equals 1.34102 hp, which is greater than 1.
When do you need to convert between Kilowatts and Horsepower?
An imperial unit of power equal to approximately 745. Kilowatt and Horsepower are both power units, so conversion comes up whenever one source of information uses one unit and another uses the other — a classic cross-reference challenge in engineering, trade, travel, and everyday life.