Horsepower to Kilowatts Conversion | Complete Guide & Info

Horsepower to Kilowatts – Complete Guide & Converter 2026
🔵 Power Guide — Updated April 2026

Horsepower in Kilowatts
The Definitive Conversion Guide

Instant HP ↔ kW converter, all 4 HP types explained, EV & engine comparisons, and the best-rated products by power output.

1 HP= 0.7457 kW
1 kW= 1.341 HP
4 HP TypesDecoded
Live CalculatorAll Types
EV vs GasPower Charts
Interactive Tool

⚡ HP ↔ kW Live Converter

All four horsepower types supported — pick yours before converting.

HP → Kilowatts
Kilowatts → HP
All Units
HP
=
149.14
Mechanical / SAE Horsepower
Formula: kW = HP × 0.7457 200 HP × 0.7457 = 149.14 kW
149,140
Watts
202.77
Metric HP (PS)
8,504
BTU/hr
537.0
MJ/hr
kW
=
201.15
Mechanical HP (SAE)
Formula: HP = kW × 1.34102 150 kW × 1.34102 = 201.15 HP
201.15
Mech. HP (SAE)
203.93
Metric HP (PS)
201.07
Electrical HP
150,000
Watts
511,804
BTU/hr
Nm @ 1,000 rpm
HP (SAE Mechanical)
298.28
Kilowatts (kW)
0.2983
Megawatts (MW)
298,280
Watts (W)
405.55
Metric HP (PS)
399.73
Electrical HP
1,020,236
BTU/hr
220,004
ft·lbf/min
71,311
kcal/hr
Know Your Units

4 Types of Horsepower — Which One Applies to You?

Every industry uses a different HP definition. Here's how to tell them apart — and avoid being misled by spec sheets.

🔧
0.7457 kW

Mechanical HP (SAE)

The U.S. standard for cars, trucks, generators, and lawnmowers. Named after James Watt. All American car window stickers use this.

1 HP = 0.7457 kW
1 kW = 1.34102 HP
🚗 U.S. Cars · Generators · Tools
🇩🇪
0.7355 kW

Metric HP (PS / CV)

Europe & Asia standard. PS = Pferdestärke (German). CV = Cheval-Vapeur (French). Slightly less than SAE — a 300 PS BMW ≈ 296 SAE HP.

1 PS = 0.7355 kW
1 kW = 1.35962 PS
🇩🇪 European & Asian Vehicles
0.7460 kW

Electrical HP

Used for electric motors, EVs, and industrial equipment. Defined as exactly 746 W. Almost identical to SAE — only 0.04% difference.

1 HP = 0.7460 kW
1 kW = 1.34048 HP
⚡ EVs · E-Bikes · Motors
🏭
9.810 kW

Boiler Horsepower

Industrial only — 1 Boiler HP = 9.81 kW (~13.1 SAE HP). Used exclusively for steam boilers and HVAC plant ratings. You will almost never encounter this as a consumer.

1 BHP = 9.810 kW
1 kW = 0.1019 BHP
🏭 Industrial Boilers Only
💡 Rule of thumb: For 99% of consumer decisions — cars, EVs, e-bikes, generators, power tools — always use Mechanical HP × 0.7457 = kW. Only switch to PS/CV when reading a European vehicle spec sheet, and only use Electrical HP when a motor datasheet specifically says "Electrical HP."
Complete Reference

HP to kW Conversion Table

Every major power level — from budget e-bikes to hypercar engines — with real vehicle comparisons.

HP (SAE) kW PS (Metric) Watts Power Tier Real Vehicle / Product Type
0.5 0.373 0.507 373
Budget e-bike motor E-Bike
1.0 0.746 1.014 746
U.S. street-legal e-bike max (750W) E-Bike
5 3.73 5.07 3,729
Portable generator / go-kart Generator
10 7.46 10.1 7,457
Whole-home standby generator Generator
50 37.3 50.7 37,285
Renault Twingo E-Tech EV EV
80 59.7 81.1 59,656
Nissan Leaf (base) EV
100 74.6 101 74,570
Economy compact gas car Gas
147 109.7 149 109,618
Nissan Leaf Plus (62 kWh) EV
150 111.9 152 111,855
Average mid-size gas sedan Gas
201 150.0 204 149,743
150 kW = BMW 3 Series EV equiv. EV
240 179.0 243 178,968
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro (82 kWh) EV
300 223.7 304 223,710
BMW M3 Competition Gas
379 282.6 384 282,621
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD EV
450 335.6 456 335,565
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT EV
503 375.0 510 375,000
Lamborghini Huracán (V10) Gas
670 499.7 679 499,719
Tesla Model S Plaid (1 motor) EV
751 560.1 761 560,083
Porsche Taycan Turbo S EV
1,020 760.7 1,034 760,674
Bugatti Chiron (W16 quad-turbo) Gas
1,438 1,073 1,457 1,072,966
Rimac Nevera (quad-motor EV) EV
EV vs Gas Comparison

Famous Engines — HP & kW Side by Side

The numbers behind the names you know — in both units at once.

🍃
147 HP
= 109.7 kW
Nissan Leaf Plus
EV · 62 kWh battery
0500 kW1,000 kW
🚗
302 HP
= 225.2 kW
Tesla Model 3 RWD
EV · single motor
0500 kW1,000 kW
379 HP
= 282.6 kW
Tesla Model 3 LR AWD
EV · dual motor
0500 kW1,000 kW
🏎
591 HP
= 440.8 kW
BMW M5 Competition
Gas · 4.4L V8 twin-turbo
0500 kW1,000 kW
🟡
751 HP
= 560.1 kW
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
EV · dual motor overboost
0500 kW1,000 kW
🔵
1,020 HP
= 760.7 kW
Bugatti Chiron
Gas · 8.0L W16 quad-turbo
0500 kW1,000 kW
🚀
1,438 HP
= 1,073 kW
Rimac Nevera
EV · quad-motor · 0–60 in 1.85s
0500 kW1,000 kW
~33,000 HP
= ~24,611 kW
Boeing 737 (per engine)
Jet turbofan — for context
For scale only
Quick Reference

HP ↔ kW Cheat Sheet

Save or bookmark — the numbers you'll reach for most.

⚡ E-Bikes & Motors

250W (EU street-legal)0.335 HP
500W motor0.670 HP
750W (U.S. max)1.006 HP
1,000W high-perf1.341 HP
6,500W off-road peak8.717 HP

🚗 Cars (SAE HP → kW)

100 HP74.6 kW
200 HP149.1 kW
300 HP223.7 kW
500 HP372.9 kW
1,000 HP745.7 kW

🔋 Generators (kW → HP)

2 kW portable2.68 HP
3.5 kW mid-size4.69 HP
5 kW standard6.71 HP
7.5 kW whole-home10.05 HP
15 kW standby20.12 HP

🧮 Mental Math Fast Track

HP → kW× 0.746
kW → HP× 1.341
PS → kW× 0.7355
kW → PS× 1.360
kW → Watts× 1,000
Shop by Power Output

Best-Rated Products by kW Rating — 2026 Picks

All independently researched. We never accept payment for rankings. Affiliate links keep this guide free.

🥇 Best 7.2 kW / 9.7 HP Home EV Charger
JuiceBox 40 Smart EV Charger
★★★★★ 4.8/5 · 8,000+ reviews
Was $649
$499
7.2 kW = 9.7 HP

At 7.2 kW (9.7 HP of continuous power transfer), the JuiceBox 40 is the most popular smart EV charger in North America. It adds up to 34 miles of range per hour and connects to Wi-Fi for energy scheduling, real-time monitoring, and utility rate optimization. Compatible with every EV sold in the U.S. and Canada — from Tesla to Rivian to Chevy.

7.2 kW
Output
9.7 HP
Equiv. Power
40A
Amperage
34 mi/hr
Range Added
Wi-Fi
Smart App
All EVs
Compatible
Speed
9.4
Smart Tech
9.8
Value
9.5
Install Ease
9.3
💡 kW matters here: The difference between a 7.2 kW and a 9.6 kW charger is roughly 10 miles of additional range per hour. If your EV's onboard charger is limited to 7.2 kW anyway (most are), buying a faster unit wastes money. Match your charger's kW rating to your EV's onboard limit.
🥇 Best 0.75 kW / 1.0 HP Street E-Bike
Aventon Level 3 — Class 3 Commuter
★★★★★ 4.9/5 · 1,200+ reviews
Was $1,999
$1,799
0.75 kW = 1.01 HP

The U.S. street-legal cap is 750W (0.75 kW / 1 HP) — and the Aventon Level 3 uses every watt of it more efficiently than any rival at this price. A torque sensor, 720Wh battery, 4G GPS smart lock, hydraulic disc brakes, and integrated turn signals make it the most complete fast commuter e-bike under $2,000 in 2026.

0.75 kW
Motor
1.01 HP
Horsepower
28 mph
Top Speed
720 Wh
Battery
~55 mi
Range
4G GPS
Smart Lock
💡 Power reality: 0.75 kW sounds small in a world of 300+ kW EVs. But consider: a professional road cyclist sustains ~0.3 kW and peaks at 0.4 kW. The Aventon's 0.75 kW delivers nearly twice what an elite human athlete can output — continuously — without you breaking a sweat.
🏅 Best 3.5 kW / 4.7 HP Inverter Generator
Honda EU3200i — Ultra-Quiet Inverter
★★★★★ 4.9/5
Was $1,249
$1,099
3.5 kW = 4.7 HP

Honda's EU3200i delivers 3.5 kW (4.7 HP) of clean, stable inverter power — safe for medical equipment, laptops, and sensitive electronics. At just 57.5 dB it runs quieter than a normal conversation, making it exceptional for camping, jobsites, and home backup. Honda's legendary reliability means a purchase that lasts 10–15 years with proper maintenance.

3.2 kW
Running
4.3 HP
Horsepower
3.5 kW
Surge Peak
Inverter
Type
57.5 dB
Noise Level
8 hrs
Run Time
💡 Spec confusion: Honda lists "3,200W running / 3,500W surge." The 3.5 kW surge = 4.7 HP but only lasts seconds for motor startups. Sustained continuous output is 3.2 kW / 4.3 HP. Always buy generators based on their running watt/kW rating.
☀️ Best 2 kW / 2.7 HP Portable Solar Kit
EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max + 220W Panel Bundle
★★★★½ 4.7/5
Was $1,399
$1,099
2 kW = 2.68 HP

Solar panels and portable power stations are rated in watts/kW — understanding the conversion helps you size your system correctly. The DELTA 2 Max outputs 2 kW (2.68 HP) continuously and can be recharged by the included 220W panel bundle. It runs power tools, appliances, and even a window AC unit. Expandable to 6 kWh total capacity.

2 kW
AC Output
2.68 HP
Equivalent
2 kWh
Capacity
220W
Solar Input
LFP
Battery Type
3,500+
Cycle Life
💡 Solar sizing tip: Divide your appliance's HP rating by 1.341 to get kW demand, then multiply by daily hours of use to get kWh needed. A 1 HP motor running 2 hrs/day needs ~1.5 kWh — this DELTA 2 Max covers it with room to spare.
⚡ Best 5 kW / 6.7 HP Off-Road Performance E-Bike
Delfast Top 3.0i — Long-Range Speed Machine
★★★★★ 4.9/5
$6,999
5 kW = 6.7 HP

When 0.75 kW isn't enough, the Delfast Top 3.0i's 5 kW (6.7 HP) motor changes the conversation entirely. That's the same continuous power as a mid-size riding tractor — delivering 50 mph in off-road unlocked mode with a staggering 200-mile range. The U.S. model ships speed-limited for road compliance with 4G GPS anti-theft built in.

5 kW
Motor
6.71 HP
Horsepower
50 mph
Off-Road
200 mi
Max Range
72V
Voltage
4G GPS
Anti-Theft
💡 Context: 5 kW / 6.7 HP is 6–7× the U.S. street-legal e-bike limit. At that power level, braking and suspension quality matter far more than motor output — check 4-piston hydraulic brakes and full suspension before pulling the trigger on any high-kW e-bike.

⚡ More Power Conversion Guides

We've covered every major power unit across every product category — from e-bikes to EVs, generators to solar.

Common Questions

FAQ — HP in Kilowatts

How many kilowatts is 1 horsepower? +
1 mechanical horsepower (SAE, the U.S. standard) = 0.7457 kilowatts. 1 metric HP (PS/CV) = 0.7355 kW. 1 electrical HP = 0.7460 kW. For most everyday purposes — cars, generators, e-bikes — use 1 HP = 0.7457 kW or simply 0.75 kW as a fast mental shortcut.
How many horsepower is 1 kilowatt? +
1 kilowatt = 1.34102 mechanical HP (SAE). Quick mental check: multiply kW by 1.34 to get HP. So a 150 kW EV motor makes approximately 201 HP. Going the other way, divide HP by 1.341 — or multiply by 0.7457 — to get kW.
Why do European car makers use kW instead of HP? +
EU regulations require power output to be stated in kilowatts (kW) as the primary unit, with PS or HP permitted as a secondary reference. This started in the 1980s as part of metric standardization. Most European brands also list PS (Pferdestärke) alongside kW — a 300 PS spec equals approximately 295 SAE HP or 220.7 kW.
Do EVs have more kW than gas cars of the same HP? +
No — the conversion is the same regardless of powertrain type. A 300 HP gas engine and a 300 HP EV motor both equal approximately 223.7 kW. However, EVs deliver their peak torque instantly from 0 RPM, which makes them feel much faster than gas cars with equivalent HP ratings. Acceleration feel and power delivery are very different even at the same kW figure.
What's the difference between PS, CV, and HP? +
PS (Pferdestärke in German) and CV (Cheval-Vapeur in French) are the same unit — metric horsepower — equal to 0.7355 kW or 735.5 watts. SAE HP (the U.S. standard) equals 0.7457 kW or 745.7 watts. The difference is about 1.4%, which means a 300 PS European car is approximately 295.8 SAE HP. For practical purposes they are almost identical, but purists and spec sheets distinguish them.
How do I convert a generator's HP rating to kW output? +
Multiply the engine HP rating by 0.7457 — but note that a generator's electrical output (kW) is always less than its engine's mechanical HP, due to alternator efficiency (typically 80–90%). A 10 HP generator engine produces approximately 7.46 kW mechanical power, but only about 6.0–6.7 kW of usable electrical output. Generator spec sheets typically show the electrical output (running watts) — that's the number you should use for sizing, not the engine HP.
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