kW to Horsepower Converter
Convert kilowatts to horsepower instantly with this free kW to hp converter. It handles both mechanical horsepower (hp) and metric horsepower (PS), converts in both directions, and shows all three power units side by side.
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Conversion factors: 1 kW = 1.34102 mechanical hp; 1 kW = 1.35962 metric PS; 1 hp = 0.74570 kW; 1 PS = 0.73550 kW.
How to use this calculator
Pick a direction, enter the value, and choose the output unit for kW → hp conversions. Everything updates as you type, and the results table always shows all three equivalents so you can compare at a glance.
Examples: 100 kW → 134.10 hp (or 135.96 PS). 150 hp → 111.86 kW.
How it works
Mechanical horsepower is defined as exactly 745.7 watts, so hp = kW × 1.34102 and kW = hp × 0.74570. Metric horsepower (PS) is 735.5 watts — about 1.4% smaller — so PS = kW × 1.35962 and kW = PS × 0.73550.
The difference comes from history: James Watt defined horsepower from the work rate of brewery horses in 18th-century Britain, while German engineers later defined PS (Pferdestärke) as 75 kilogram-meters per second, a slightly smaller yardstick. That's why the same engine gets a slightly bigger number in PS than in hp.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mechanical hp and metric PS?
Mechanical horsepower (hp) is the Anglo-American unit equal to 745.7 watts, defined by James Watt. Metric horsepower (PS, from the German Pferdestarke) equals 735.5 watts, about 1.4% smaller. So the same engine reads a slightly higher number in PS than in hp.
How many hp is 100 kW?
100 kW equals 134.10 mechanical hp, or 135.96 metric PS. Multiply kW by 1.34102 for hp, or by 1.35962 for PS.
How many kW is 150 hp?
150 mechanical hp equals 111.86 kW (150 x 0.74570). If the 150 is metric PS instead, it equals 110.33 kW.
Which horsepower unit should I use?
Use mechanical hp in the US and UK, and metric PS (or kW directly) in Europe and most of Asia, where official ratings are usually given in kW. The converter shows all three so you can match any spec sheet.