Kilowatts to Horsepower
Convert kilowatts to horsepower with the exact factor (1 kW = 1.34102 hp), a quick reference table, and common engine and motor ratings.
kW to hp formula
To convert kilowatts (kW) to mechanical horsepower (hp), multiply by 1.34102. One horsepower is defined as 745.7 watts, so 1000 / 745.7 = 1.34102 hp.
Quick reference: kW to hp
Common values
1 kW = 1.34 hp
5 kW = 6.71 hp
10 kW = 13.41 hp
50 kW = 67.05 hp
100 kW = 134.1 hp
Worked example
Convert 10 kW to hp:
10 kW × 1.34102 = 13.4102 hp
So 10 kW is about 13.41 hp.
Why convert kW to hp?
European and Asian equipment is rated in kilowatts, while US engines are quoted in horsepower. This conversion compares the two ratings.
You can also use our calculator or read the paired guide hp reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hp are in a kW?
1 kW = 1.34102 mechanical hp.
How many watts are in one horsepower?
1 hp = 745.7 watts.
How do I convert 100 kW to hp?
100 kW × 1.34102 = 134.102 hp.
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Quick Summary
kW to hp uses a single exact factor. Use the formula above or the reference table for quick, accurate results.
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HP to KW: Converting Horsepower to Kilowatts for US Cars and EVs
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Disclaimer
Unit conversions on this site use internationally recognized, fixed conversion factors (for example, 1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg, 1 °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32). They are provided for general, informational, and educational use. For applications where accuracy is critical — such as medical dosing, engineering, scientific research, trade, or legal compliance — always verify results against authoritative sources such as the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the official International System of Units (SI) brochure, and follow any applicable local standards.
Exact Constants & Authoritative Sources
Every conversion on this page uses the fixed, internationally agreed constants below — drawn from NIST and the SI Brochure. No values are estimated or rounded as if exact. See the full list on our Sources & Standards page.
- EXACT1 mechanical horsepower (hp) = 745.6998715823 watts (exact, 550 ft·lbf/s)
- EXACT1 British thermal unit, IT (Btu) = 1055.05585262 joules (exact)
- EXACT1 Btu/h = 0.293071070172 watts (exact, Btu ÷ 3600 s)
- EXACT1 watt (W) = 1 joule per second (definition)
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Mechanical hp vs. metric hp
Mechanical hp = 745.7 W. Metric (PS) hp = 735.5 W and electrical hp = 746 W. Engine specs may use any of these; always check which.
Btu IT vs. thermochemical
UnitFig uses the IT Btu (1055.05585262 J). The thermochemical Btu (1054.35 J) is ~0.07% smaller and used in some chemistry contexts — keep them separate.
A unit-conversion reference site has no manufacturer-specific or device calibration parameters, so "layered tuning" does not apply here. The only real error-handling is input validation: the converter rejects non-numeric, empty, or out-of-range entries and shows a clear message, then falls back to exact constants above. No estimated or rounded figures are ever presented as exact.
Authoritative sources for this page
- NIST (U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology) — NIST SP 330 — The International System of Units (SI), 2019 edition
- BIPM (International Bureau of Weights and Measures) — SI Brochure — The International System of Units (9th edition)
Last Updated 2026 | This article was reviewed for accuracy