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Horsepower to kW Converter

Convert between horsepower (HP/PS/CV) and kilowatts instantly. Supports mechanical HP, metric PS, and electric motor kW. Essential for comparing car specs worldwide.

Mechanical horsepower (US/UK)

Metric horsepower (DE/JP/EU)

Kilowatts (SI standard)

Power Reference by Vehicle Type

Vehicle Type HP PS kW

Conversion Formulas

HP → kW: × 0.7457
HP → PS: × 1.0139
kW → HP: × 1.341
kW → PS: × 1.3596
PS → HP: × 0.9863
PS → kW: × 0.7355

About This Tool

Comparing a US car rated in horsepower to a European one rated in kW? This converter gives you instant results in all three power units — mechanical horsepower (HP), metric horsepower (PS/CV), and kilowatts (kW). The US uses HP (horsepower), Europe increasingly uses kW (kilowatts), and many countries use PS (Pferdestärke) or CV (chevaux-vapeur) — which are metric horsepower. These are all slightly different. This tool handles all conversions correctly so you can compare any engine specs. Whether you're shopping for a car, reading international reviews, or converting specs for paperwork — enter any value and see all the others instantly.

How to Use

1. Enter a power value in any of the three input fields (HP, PS/CV, or kW) 2. All other values update instantly 3. Use the quick presets for common engine power levels 4. Check the reference table for typical vehicle power ranges 5. Click "Copy Link" to share a specific conversion

Formula

1 HP (mechanical) = 0.7457 kW = 1.0139 PS 1 PS (metric) = 0.7355 kW = 0.9863 HP 1 kW = 1.341 HP = 1.3596 PS HP = Horsepower (US/UK mechanical) PS = Pferdestärke (German) = CV = Cavalli (Italian) = ch (French) kW = Kilowatts (SI standard)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert HP to kW?
Multiply horsepower by 0.7457 to get kilowatts. For example, 300 HP × 0.7457 = 223.7 kW. To convert kW to HP, multiply by 1.341. This uses mechanical (imperial) horsepower as used in the US and UK.
What is the difference between HP and PS?
HP (horsepower) is the imperial/mechanical unit used in the US and UK. PS (Pferdestärke) is metric horsepower used in Germany, Japan, and many other countries. 1 HP = 1.0139 PS, so they're close but not identical. A car rated at 300 PS is about 296 HP.
Why does Europe use kW instead of HP?
The EU adopted the SI (metric) system, which uses kilowatts as the standard unit of power. Since 2010, EU regulations require vehicle power to be stated in kW, though PS is still commonly used alongside it. kW is more precise and internationally standardized.
How many kW is 100 HP?
100 HP (mechanical) = 74.57 kW. This is a common benchmark — many economy cars produce around 100 HP / 75 kW. To remember: HP to kW, multiply by about 0.75 (or divide by 1.34).
How many HP is 100 kW?
100 kW = 134.1 HP (mechanical) or 136 PS (metric). Many mid-range cars produce around 100-150 kW. Electric vehicles commonly rate their motors in kW since it's the standard electrical unit.
Is PS the same as CV?
Yes, PS (German), CV (Italian/Spanish), ch (French), and pk (Dutch) are all metric horsepower — exactly the same unit with different names. They all equal 735.5 watts. Do not confuse with HP, which equals 745.7 watts.
How do I convert electric motor kW to HP?
Same formula: multiply kW by 1.341 to get HP. A Tesla Model 3 Long Range has about 350 kW total motor power = 469 HP. Electric vehicles always use kW since that's the standard unit for electrical power.

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