Kilowatt to Horsepower Converter
Enter the value that you want to convert kilowatt (kW) to horsepower (hp) or horsepower to kilowatt.Also written as KW to HP conversion.
1 kilowatt = 1.3410221 horsepower
Formula: horsepower = kilowatt value × 1.3410221
KW to HP — kilowatt to horsepower
10 kilowatt = 13.41022 horsepower
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Why Convert Kilowatt to Horsepower?
The Kilowatt in Engineering
Kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power measurement. 1 kilowatt is equal to 1.3410221 horsepower.
The Horsepower in Engineering
Horsepower (hp) is a unit of power measurement. 1 horsepower is equal to 0.7456999 kilowatt.
Power Measurement Across Applications
Power units span from milliwatts in electronics to megawatts in power plants. Engine output is still quoted in horsepower (mechanical, metric, and electrical — all slightly different). HVAC systems rate cooling in tons of refrigeration or BTU/hour. Solar panels specify watts peak. Electric motors list watts or kilowatts. Each industry carries its historical unit preferences, making conversion between them a daily necessity.
kilowatt to horsepower metric conversion table
| 0.01 kW | = | 0.01341 hp |
| 0.1 kW | = | 0.13410 hp |
| 1 kW | = | 1.34102 hp |
| 2 kW | = | 2.68204 hp |
| 3 kW | = | 4.02307 hp |
| 4 kW | = | 5.36409 hp |
| 5 kW | = | 6.70511 hp |
| 6 kW | = | 8.04613 hp |
| 7 kW | = | 9.38715 hp |
| 8 kW | = | 10.72818 hp |
| 9 kW | = | 12.06920 hp |
| 10 kW | = | 13.41022 hp |
| 11 kW | = | 14.75124 hp |
| 12 kW | = | 16.09227 hp |
| 13 kW | = | 17.43329 hp |
| 14 kW | = | 18.77431 hp |
| 15 kW | = | 20.11533 hp |
| 16 kW | = | 21.45635 hp |
| 17 kW | = | 22.79738 hp |
| 18 kW | = | 24.13840 hp |
| 19 kW | = | 25.47942 hp |
| 20 kW | = | 26.82044 hp |
| 30 kW | = | 40.23066 hp |
| 40 kW | = | 53.64088 hp |
| 50 kW | = | 67.05110 hp |
| 60 kW | = | 80.46133 hp |
| 70 kW | = | 93.87155 hp |
| 80 kW | = | 107.28177 hp |
| 90 kW | = | 120.69199 hp |
| 100 kW | = | 134.10221 hp |
| 200 kW | = | 268.20442 hp |
| 300 kW | = | 402.30663 hp |
| 400 kW | = | 536.40884 hp |
| 500 kW | = | 670.51104 hp |
| 600 kW | = | 804.61325 hp |
| 700 kW | = | 938.71546 hp |
| 800 kW | = | 1072.81767 hp |
| 900 kW | = | 1206.91988 hp |
| 1000 kW | = | 1341.02209 hp |
How to Convert KW to HP (Kilowatt to Horsepower)?
We can convert kilowatt to horsepower by using an example.
Example:
Convert 20 Kilowatt to Horsepower?
We know 1 Kilowatt = 1.3410221 horsepower; 1 Horsepower = 0.7456999 kilowatt.
20 kilowatt = ___hp
20 × 1.3410221 = 26.82044 hp (we know 1 kilowatt = 1.3410221 horsepower)
Answer:
20 kilowatt = 26.82044 horsepower
Kilowatts to Horsepower: Rating Electric Motors and Vehicles
The kilowatt-to-horsepower conversion bridges modern metric power ratings and the traditional Imperial system still dominant in automotive marketing. Electric vehicles, industrial motors, and power tools often have kW ratings in technical specs but are marketed in horsepower. One kilowatt equals 1.341 mechanical horsepower.
- Start with the power value in kilowatts.
- Multiply by 1.341 to get mechanical horsepower.
- Alternatively, multiply kW by 1,000 to get watts, then divide by 745.7.
- The result is mechanical horsepower (hp).
kW to Horsepower: Automotive and Industrial Reference
Electric motor and vehicle power ratings in both units:
| Kilowatt | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 0.75 kW | 1.006 hp |
| 2.2 kW | 2.95 hp |
| 5.5 kW | 7.38 hp |
| 50 kW | 67.1 hp |
| 100 kW | 134.1 hp |
| 150 kW | 201.2 hp |
| 250 kW | 335.3 hp |
| 500 kW | 670.5 hp |
Worked Examples: kW to Horsepower
Question 1: A Tesla Model Y Long Range has a 220 kW motor. What is that in horsepower?
Solution:
hp = kW × 1.341
= 220 × 1.341
= 295 hp
Answer: 220 kW = 295 hp — competitive with a V6 gasoline engine.
Question 2: An industrial motor is rated 11 kW. Express in horsepower.
Solution:
hp = kW × 1.341
= 11 × 1.341
= 14.75 hp
Answer: 11 kW = 14.75 hp — typically sold as a 15 hp motor.
Question 3: A wind turbine generator produces 3,000 kW. How many horsepower?
Solution:
hp = kW × 1.341
= 3,000 × 1.341
= 4,023 hp
Answer: 3,000 kW = 4,023 hp equivalent mechanical output.
Practice: kW to Horsepower
Try solving these on your own to test your understanding:
- Convert 75 kW to hp. (Answer: 100.6 hp)
- A boat motor is rated at 37 kW. What is that in hp? (Answer: 49.6 hp)
- Convert 185 kW to hp. (Answer: 248.1 hp)
- An elevator motor is 15 kW. Express in hp. (Answer: 20.1 hp)
- A motorcycle engine produces 92 kW. What is the hp? (Answer: 123.4 hp)
EV Marketing: kW vs. Horsepower
European automakers typically specify motor output in kW (as required by EU regulations), while US marketing converts to horsepower for consumer familiarity. A "200 kW" motor in European specs becomes "268 hp" on the US sticker. When comparing EVs across markets, always verify which convention is being used. Note that EV motors deliver peak kW briefly during acceleration, while sustained output is lower.
IEC Motor Standard Sizes in kW
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard motor sizes follow a specific progression: 0.12, 0.18, 0.25, 0.37, 0.55, 0.75, 1.1, 1.5, 2.2, 3, 4, 5.5, 7.5, 11, 15, 18.5, 22, 30, 37, 45, 55, 75, 90, 110, 132, 160 kW. These correspond roughly (but not exactly) to NEMA hp sizes used in North America.
Key Takeaways
- 1 kW = 1.341 mechanical horsepower.
- Multiply kW by 1.341 to get hp.
- Quick estimate: kW × 4 ÷ 3 ≈ hp.
- EV specifications use kW in Europe and hp in the US market.
- IEC standard motor sizes are defined in kW increments.
Kilowatt to Horsepower Conversion Formula
horsepower = kilowatt × 1.3410221
1 kilowatt = 1.3410221 horsepower
1 horsepower = 0.7456999 kilowatt
Reverse: kilowatt = horsepower × 0.7456999
Frequently Asked Questions
How many horsepower are in 1 kilowatt?
There are 1.3410221 horsepower in 1 kilowatt. To convert kilowatt to horsepower, multiply the value by 1.3410221.
How do I convert kilowatt to horsepower?
Multiply your kilowatt value by 1.3410221 to get the equivalent in horsepower. For example, 5 kilowatt = 5 × 1.3410221 = 6.70511 horsepower.
How do I convert horsepower to kilowatt?
Multiply your horsepower value by 0.7456999 to get the equivalent in kilowatt. Alternatively, divide by 1.3410221.
What is 10 kilowatt in horsepower?
10 kilowatt is equal to 13.41022 horsepower.
What is 100 kilowatt in horsepower?
100 kilowatt is equal to 134.10221 horsepower.