Power Converter
Convert power between watts, kilowatts, megawatts, horsepower, BTU/h and foot-pounds per second. Used in motors, engines, electrical systems, and HVAC.
Common Power Conversions
| From | To |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1,000 W |
| 1 MW | 1,000 kW |
| 1 hp (mechanical) | 745.7 W |
| 1 hp | 0.7457 kW |
| 1 kW | 1.34102 hp |
| 1 BTU/h | 0.29307 W |
| 1 kW | 3,412.14 BTU/h |
| 1 hp | 2,544.43 BTU/h |
Power Unit Definitions
- Watt (W)
- The SI unit of power = 1 J/s. Named after James Watt.
- Kilowatt (kW)
- 1,000 watts. Used for electrical appliances and vehicle engines.
- Horsepower (hp)
- 745.699 W. Originally defined by James Watt to compare steam engines to horses.
- BTU/h
- 0.29307 W. Used in HVAC systems in the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many watts in a horsepower?
One mechanical horsepower = 745.699872 watts.
How do I convert hp to kW?
Multiply horsepower by 0.7457. Example: 200 hp × 0.7457 = 149.14 kW.
What is the difference between kW and kWh?
kW (kilowatt) is a unit of power (rate of energy use). kWh (kilowatt-hour) is a unit of energy (power × time). Your electricity bill charges for kWh.