KW to HP Converter

How the conversion works

One mechanical horsepower is defined as 550 foot-pounds per second, which works out to exactly 745.6999 watts. Inverting that gives the factor this tool uses:

• kW → hp: multiply by 1.34102 — 100 kW × 1.34102 = 134.10 hp
• hp → kW: divide by 1.34102 — 300 hp ÷ 1.34102 = 223.71 kW

Watch out for the two flavors of horsepower:

• Mechanical hp (US/UK convention): 1 kW = 1.34102 hp — this is what the converter uses.
• Metric hp / PS (German spec sheets, most of continental Europe): 1 kW = 1.35962 PS.

The gap is about 1.4%, so a "300 PS" German brochure figure is roughly 296 mechanical hp — close, but not identical. When comparing cars across regions, make sure you know which unit each source quotes.

Quick reference table

How to use it

1. Type a power figure into either field — kilowatts or horsepower.
2. The other side converts live; results are trimmed to two decimals.
3. Tap a common value chip (10, 50, 75, 100, 150, 250, 500 kW) to start from a typical engine or motor rating.
4. Copy puts the full conversion (e.g. 100 kW = 134.10 hp) on your clipboard.

When you need this

Car shopping across regions is the classic case: EU registration papers and spec sheets list engine power in kW, while US and UK listings talk horsepower — so a "110 kW" hatchback and a "148 hp" one are the same car. Electric vehicles made the unit clash mainstream: motor output, charging speed and battery capacity are all quoted in kW and kWh, and translating a "150 kW fast charger" or a "250 kW performance motor" into familiar hp takes one keystroke here. The same conversion covers generators, e-bike motors, boat engines and power tools.

If you're deep in cross-region car specs anyway, the PSI to Bar Converter translates tire pressures the same way, and the Fuel Cost Calculator turns consumption figures into real trip costs.

Private by design

The conversion runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded or tracked, and there's no sign-up. For weight, volume, temperature and more, try the general Unit Converter, or browse more free utilities on the all tools page.