Convert kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical) in one step. Type a value, change the units if you need a different pair, and the answer updates as you type, with the reverse rate and a quick reference list.
Results are estimates for planning. Check the figures before you make a financial or health decision.
How to convert kilowatts to horsepower (mechanical)
Multiply the number of kW by 1.341022 to get hp:
hp = kW × 1.341022
To go the other way, divide by 1.341022 (or multiply by 0.7457). The converter stores each unit as a multiple of a base unit, so you can also pick any other pair of units from the same group.
Worked example
Using the default values in the converter above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Value | 100 |
| From | Kilowatts |
| To | Horsepower (mechanical) |
100 kilowatts equals 134.102209 horsepower (mechanical)
KW to Horsepower reference table
| Kilowatts | Horsepower (mechanical) |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1.341022 hp |
| 10 kW | 13.410221 hp |
| 50 kW | 67.051104 hp |
| 100 kW | 134.102209 hp |
| 150 kW | 201.153313 hp |
| 200 kW | 268.204418 hp |
| 300 kW | 402.306627 hp |
| 500 kW | 670.511045 hp |
| 1,000 kW | 1,341.02209 hp |
Tips and common mistakes
Car power is quoted in kilowatts (kW), brake horsepower (bhp) and metric horsepower (PS). A mechanical horsepower is 745.7 watts, whereas a metric horsepower (PS, or CV or PK in some countries) is 735.5 watts, so 100 kW is about 134 hp but about 136 PS.
Check which unit a manufacturer uses before comparing cars, because the difference is around 1.4 per cent. For electric appliances, power in kilowatts multiplied by hours gives energy in kWh.
Frequently asked questions
How many horsepower (mechanical) are in 1 kW?
1 kW equals 1.341022 horsepower (mechanical).
How do I convert kW to hp by hand?
Multiply the kW figure by 1.341022. For example, 100 kW × 1.341022 = 134.102209 hp.
How do I convert hp back to kW?
Divide the hp figure by 1.341022, or multiply it by 0.7457. For example, 134.102209 hp is 100 kW.
Is this conversion exact?
Yes, using 745.7 W for a mechanical horsepower and 735.5 W for a metric horsepower.