HP to kW Calculator
Convert mechanical horsepower to kilowatts and back. Edit either field and the other updates.
1 HP = 0.745712 kW
When to use it
Pumps, compressors, and motors are often rated in horsepower, while generators and distribution gear are rated in kilowatts. This converter moves between the two so you can fold a motor into a load schedule. Remember that this is the shaft rating: the electrical draw is higher once motor efficiency and starting current are taken into account, so size the supply with headroom.
How it is calculated
kW = HP x 0.745712. HP = kW / 0.745712.
1 HP = 0.745712 kW. 1 kW = 1.341 HP.
Common conversions
| Power (HP) | Power (kW) |
|---|---|
| 1 HP | 0.75 kW |
| 5 HP | 3.73 kW |
| 10 HP | 7.46 kW |
| 25 HP | 18.64 kW |
| 50 HP | 37.29 kW |
| 100 HP | 74.57 kW |
Frequently asked questions
How many kW is 1 HP?
One mechanical horsepower equals 0.745712 kW.
How do you convert kW to HP?
Divide the kilowatts by 0.745712. So 1 kW is about 1.341 HP.
Which horsepower definition is this?
This uses mechanical (imperial) horsepower, the standard for motors and engines.
Why is the electrical load higher than the converted kW?
The horsepower rating is the mechanical output at the shaft. The motor draws more than that electrically because of its efficiency, and far more for a few seconds at start up, so size the supply above the converted figure.
Is metric horsepower different from this?
Slightly. Metric horsepower is about 0.7355 kW, against 0.745712 kW for the mechanical horsepower used here. For motors and engines the mechanical definition is the usual one.