Power Converter

Convert between different units of power - watts, horsepower, kilowatts, BTU/hour, and more.

Result: 0.0000

What It Does

A Power Converter is an essential tool for converting between different units of power measurement. Power is the rate at which energy is used or produced, measured as energy per unit time. The converter converts between metric units like watts (W), kilowatts (kW), and megawatts (MW), mechanical units like horsepower (hp) and metric horsepower (PS), and thermal units like BTU/hour. This tool is essential for comparing engine power, understanding electrical power consumption, evaluating appliance ratings, automotive specifications, and engineering applications. It provides accurate conversions with support for both metric and imperial power systems. Perfect for understanding vehicle horsepower, electrical power ratings, engine comparisons, and any power-related calculations.

Key Features:

  • Convert between 8 common power units (watts, kilowatts, megawatts, horsepower, metric horsepower, BTU/hour, foot-pounds/minute, calories/second)
  • Real-time conversion as you type - instant results
  • Swap button to quickly reverse conversion direction
  • High precision results with up to 4 decimal places
  • Automotive power: horsepower for engine ratings
  • Electrical power: watts and kilowatts for appliances
  • Support for both US and metric horsepower
  • Mobile-responsive design for on-the-go conversions

How To Use

Convert power ratings instantly between different units. Perfect for comparing engines, appliances, and electrical equipment.

1

Enter the Power Value

Type or paste the power value you want to convert into the "Value" input field. You can enter whole numbers or decimals (e.g., 100, 150.5, 0.75).

2

Select Source Unit

Choose the unit you're converting FROM using the "From" dropdown. Options include watts, kilowatts, megawatts, horsepower, metric horsepower, BTU/hour, foot-pounds/minute, and calories/second.

3

Select Target Unit

Choose the unit you want to convert TO using the "To" dropdown. The result updates automatically as you make your selection.

4

View Result

See the converted power value displayed prominently in the result box. The conversion happens in real-time as you type or change units.

5

Swap Units (Optional)

Click the swap button (⇄) to instantly reverse the conversion direction, swapping the "From" and "To" units without re-entering the value.

Pro Tips

  • •1 horsepower (hp) = 745.7 watts = 0.7457 kilowatts
  • •1 metric horsepower (PS) = 735.5 watts = 0.7355 kilowatts
  • •1 kilowatt = 1,000 watts = 1.341 horsepower
  • •US horsepower is slightly larger than metric horsepower
  • •Electrical appliances are rated in watts or kilowatts
  • •Vehicle engines are rated in horsepower (US) or PS (Europe)
  • •Power is energy per unit time (watts = joules per second)

Benefits

Automotive: Compare engine power between horsepower and kilowatts
Appliances: Understand electrical power ratings in different units
Engineering: Convert power specifications for system design
Energy Efficiency: Compare power consumption across different units
Education: Learn power relationships and unit conversions
Accuracy: Eliminate manual calculation errors in power conversions
Time Saving: Instant conversions save time over manual calculations
International: Convert between US and metric power standards

Use Cases

Vehicle Engine Comparison

Convert engine power between horsepower and kilowatts. US vehicles use horsepower (hp), while European vehicles use metric horsepower (PS) or kilowatts.

Convert 200 horsepower to kilowatts (149.14 kW) for engine comparison

Electrical Appliance Ratings

Convert electrical power ratings for appliances and equipment. Understanding power consumption helps with energy efficiency and electrical planning.

Convert 1,500 watts to horsepower (2.01 hp) to understand appliance power

Industrial Equipment

Convert power ratings for industrial machinery and equipment. Different regions and industries use different power units.

Convert 50 kilowatts to horsepower (67.05 hp) for equipment specifications

Renewable Energy

Convert power ratings for solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy systems. Power ratings help understand system capacity.

Convert 5 megawatts to horsepower (6,705.11 hp) for wind turbine capacity

HVAC Systems

Convert heating and cooling power ratings between different units. HVAC systems may be rated in BTU/hour, watts, or horsepower.

Convert 12,000 BTU/hour to kilowatts (3.52 kW) for air conditioner rating

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is the difference between horsepower and metric horsepower?
Horsepower (hp) is the US/UK unit, equal to 745.7 watts. Metric horsepower (PS, from German "Pferdestärke") is the European unit, equal to 735.5 watts. US horsepower is about 1.4% larger than metric horsepower. For example, 100 hp = 74.57 kW, while 100 PS = 73.55 kW. When comparing vehicles, be aware of which horsepower standard is being used.
2 How do I convert watts to horsepower?
To convert watts to horsepower, divide by 745.7. For example, 1,000 watts ÷ 745.7 = 1.341 horsepower. To convert horsepower to watts, multiply by 745.7. For example, 150 hp × 745.7 = 111,855 watts = 111.86 kilowatts. For metric horsepower (PS), use 735.5 instead of 745.7.
3 What is the relationship between power and energy?
Power is the rate at which energy is used or produced. Power (watts) = Energy (joules) ÷ Time (seconds). For example, a 100-watt light bulb uses 100 joules of energy every second. Over one hour, it uses 100 watts × 3,600 seconds = 360,000 joules = 0.1 kilowatt-hours. Power tells you how fast energy is being used, while energy tells you the total amount used over time.
4 Why are appliances rated in watts?
Watts are the standard unit for electrical power because they directly relate to electricity: 1 watt = 1 volt × 1 ampere. This makes it easy to calculate electrical requirements. For example, a 1,500-watt heater at 120 volts draws 12.5 amperes (1,500 ÷ 120 = 12.5). Watts also directly convert to energy consumption: a 1,000-watt appliance running for 1 hour uses 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity.
5 What is a megawatt and when is it used?
A megawatt (MW) is 1,000,000 watts or 1,000 kilowatts. Megawatts are used for large-scale power generation and consumption: power plants, wind farms, solar installations, and large industrial facilities. For example, a typical coal power plant might generate 500-1,000 MW, while a large wind turbine might generate 2-5 MW. One megawatt can power approximately 750-1,000 average homes.
6 How do I convert BTU/hour to watts?
To convert BTU/hour to watts, multiply by 0.293071. For example, 12,000 BTU/hour × 0.293071 = 3,516.85 watts = 3.52 kilowatts. To convert watts to BTU/hour, divide by 0.293071 (or multiply by 3.412). BTU/hour is commonly used for air conditioners and heating systems in the United States. For example, a 12,000 BTU/hour air conditioner is equivalent to about 3.5 kilowatts.

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