Horsepower to Watt Converter - Convert HP to W, kW & More Power Units
Result:
1 hp = 745.699872 W
What is Power?
Power is how fast energy gets used or work gets done. When you turn on a light bulb, it uses power. When a car engine runs, it produces power. Power tells us how much energy something uses or makes in a certain amount of time. The more power something has, the faster it can do work.
Our horsepower to watt converter helps you change between different power units easily. You can convert horsepower to watts, kilowatts to horsepower, and many other combinations. This tool is perfect for engineers, mechanics, students, and anyone who works with engines, motors, or electrical devices.
Common Power Examples
- • Car engines producing horsepower
- • Light bulbs using watts
- • Electric motors in appliances
- • Solar panels generating power
- • Power tools and machinery
Why Convert Power Units?
- • Different countries use different units
- • Engineering projects need specific units
- • Comparing engine and motor power
- • Electrical and mechanical systems
- • Energy efficiency calculations
How Our Horsepower to Watt Converter Works
Converting power units is simple with our easy-to-use tool. Follow these steps:
Enter Your Number
Type the power value you want to convert
Pick Your Units
Choose what unit you have and what you need
Get Your Answer
See the converted result instantly
Understanding Power Units
Different power units are used around the world. Here's what each one means and when to use them:
Watt (W)
The main unit for power in science. Named after James Watt. Shows how much energy is used per second.
Used in: Light bulbs, small motors, electronics, scientific work
Kilowatt (kW)
Equal to 1,000 watts. Common for household appliances and electric bills.
Used in: Home appliances, electric cars, solar panels, power bills
Horsepower (HP)
Originally based on how much work a horse could do. Equal to about 746 watts.
Used in: Car engines, lawn mowers, industrial motors, pumps
Megawatt (MW)
Equal to 1,000,000 watts. Used for very large power systems and plants.
Used in: Power plants, large factories, city power grids
BTU per hour
British Thermal Unit per hour. Common in heating and cooling systems.
Used in: Air conditioners, heaters, HVAC systems
Metric Horsepower (PS)
European version of horsepower. Slightly different from mechanical horsepower.
Used in: European cars, motorcycles, industrial equipment
Common Power Examples
Here are everyday examples of power you might need to convert:
Household Items
- • LED light bulb: 10-15 watts
- • Microwave oven: 800-1200 watts
- • Hair dryer: 1000-1800 watts
- • Refrigerator: 100-400 watts
- • Washing machine: 500-2000 watts
Vehicles
- • Small car engine: 100-150 HP
- • Sports car engine: 300-500 HP
- • Motorcycle: 50-200 HP
- • Lawn mower: 3-7 HP
- • Truck engine: 200-600 HP
Industrial Equipment
- • Electric motor: 1-100 HP
- • Generator: 5-1000 kW
- • Wind turbine: 1-3 MW
- • Power plant: 100-1000 MW
- • Factory machine: 10-500 HP
Quick Horsepower to Watt Conversion Table
Use this table to quickly find common power conversions:
| Horsepower | Watts | Kilowatts | BTU/h |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 HP | 186.4 W | 0.186 kW | 636 BTU/h |
| 0.5 HP | 372.8 W | 0.373 kW | 1272 BTU/h |
| 1 HP | 745.7 W | 0.746 kW | 2544 BTU/h |
| 2 HP | 1491.4 W | 1.491 kW | 5089 BTU/h |
| 3 HP | 2237.1 W | 2.237 kW | 7633 BTU/h |
| 5 HP | 3728.5 W | 3.728 kW | 12722 BTU/h |
| 7.5 HP | 5592.7 W | 5.593 kW | 19083 BTU/h |
| 10 HP | 7457.0 W | 7.457 kW | 25444 BTU/h |
| 15 HP | 11185.5 W | 11.185 kW | 38166 BTU/h |
| 20 HP | 14914.0 W | 14.914 kW | 50889 BTU/h |
| 25 HP | 18642.5 W | 18.642 kW | 63611 BTU/h |
| 50 HP | 37285.0 W | 37.285 kW | 127221 BTU/h |
| 75 HP | 55927.5 W | 55.927 kW | 190832 BTU/h |
| 100 HP | 74570.0 W | 74.570 kW | 254443 BTU/h |
| 150 HP | 111855.0 W | 111.855 kW | 381665 BTU/h |
| 200 HP | 149140.0 W | 149.140 kW | 508886 BTU/h |
Power Units Progression Chart
1 HP
5 HP
10 HP
25 HP
50 HP
100 HP
How to Convert Horsepower to Watts Step by Step
Follow these simple steps to convert any power unit manually:
Step 1: Know Your Starting Unit
First, identify what unit you have. Is it horsepower, watts, kilowatts, or something else?
Step 2: Know Your Target Unit
Decide what unit you need the answer in. This is where you want to convert to.
Step 3: Find the Conversion Factor
Each unit has a number that shows how it relates to watts. For example, 1 HP = 745.7 watts.
Step 4: Do the Math
Multiply or divide your number by the conversion factor to get your answer.
Practice Problems with Solutions
Try these examples to learn power conversion:
Example 1: HP to Watts
Question: Convert 5 HP to watts
Step: 5 × 745.7 = 3,728.5 watts
Answer: 3,728.5 watts
Example 2: Watts to HP
Question: Convert 1500 watts to HP
Step: 1500 ÷ 745.7 = 2.01 HP
Answer: 2.01 HP
Example 3: kW to HP
Question: Convert 10 kW to HP
Step: (10 × 1000) ÷ 745.7 = 13.41 HP
Answer: 13.41 HP
Example 4: HP to kW
Question: Convert 25 HP to kW
Step: (25 × 745.7) ÷ 1000 = 18.64 kW
Answer: 18.64 kW
Example 5: MW to HP
Question: Convert 2 MW to HP
Step: (2 × 1,000,000) ÷ 745.7 = 2,682 HP
Answer: 2,682 HP
Example 6: BTU/h to Watts
Question: Convert 5000 BTU/h to watts
Step: 5000 × 0.293071 = 1,465 watts
Answer: 1,465 watts
Where Power Conversion is Used
Power conversion is important in many jobs and activities. Here's where people use it:
🚗 Automotive Industry
Car makers rate engines in horsepower but need watts for electrical systems.
- • Engine power ratings
- • Electric motor specifications
- • Hybrid vehicle systems
⚡ Electrical Engineering
Engineers design electrical systems using watts and kilowatts.
- • Motor selection and sizing
- • Power system design
- • Energy efficiency calculations
🏭 Manufacturing
Factories use different power units for various machines and equipment.
- • Industrial motor specifications
- • Equipment power requirements
- • Energy cost calculations
🏠 Home Improvement
Homeowners compare appliance power ratings and energy usage.
- • Appliance energy efficiency
- • Solar panel calculations
- • Generator sizing
🌱 Renewable Energy
Solar and wind power systems use watts and kilowatts for ratings.
- • Solar panel output ratings
- • Wind turbine specifications
- • Energy storage systems
🎓 Education
Students learn about power in physics and engineering classes.
- • Physics homework problems
- • Engineering projects
- • Science experiments
Tips for Accurate Power Conversion
Follow these tips to get the best results:
✅ Do This
- • Double-check your input numbers
- • Make sure you picked the right units
- • Know the difference between mechanical and electrical HP
- • Use our calculator for quick results
- • Keep conversion factors handy for manual calculations
❌ Avoid This
- • Don't confuse power with energy
- • Don't mix up different types of horsepower
- • Don't forget about efficiency losses
- • Don't use old or wrong conversion factors
- • Don't ignore the context of your application
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between power and energy?
Power is how fast energy gets used. Energy is the total amount used. Think of power like water flow rate and energy like the total water used.
Why are there different types of horsepower?
Different countries and industries developed their own standards. Mechanical HP (745.7W) is most common in the US, while metric HP (735.5W) is used in Europe.
How much is 1 horsepower in watts?
1 mechanical horsepower equals 745.699872 watts. This is the most common conversion used in the United States and automotive industry.
Can I convert between electrical and mechanical power?
Yes, but remember that motors and generators have efficiency losses. A 1 HP motor might use more than 746 watts due to inefficiency.
What power unit should I use for my project?
Use watts for electrical systems, horsepower for engines and motors, kilowatts for large appliances, and megawatts for industrial applications.
How accurate is this horsepower to watt converter?
Our converter uses precise conversion factors and provides results accurate to 8 decimal places, suitable for most engineering and scientific needs.
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