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Power Converter

Convert power between W, kW, MW, hp, BTU/h units.

Input Information

Result

Watt (W)0 W
Kilowatt (kW)0 kW
Megawatt (MW)0 MW
Horsepower (hp)0 hp
BTU/h0 BTU/h

<strong>Power Converter</strong> is a tool that provides accurate conversions between various power and output units. You can quickly convert between watt (W), kilowatt (kW), megawatt (MW), horsepower (hp), and BTU/h, and it is used across a wide range of fields including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and HVAC.

Power unit conversion is needed when comparing electrical appliance power consumption, engine output, cooling capacity, and power generation capacity. It is particularly useful when navigating between overseas product specification horsepower (hp) and domestic standard kW, and is essential for equipment selection and energy management.

For engineers and facility managers, it serves as a design tool. For consumers, it is a tool for comparing home appliance and vehicle specifications. Accurate power conversion is the foundation for appropriate capacity selection and electricity cost savings.

Conversion coefficients follow international standards. 1 kW = 1,000 W, 1 MW = 1,000 kW, 1 hp (mechanical) = 745.7 W, 1 BTU/h = 0.293071 W. Note that there are different types of horsepower (mechanical, electrical, metric), so check the standard.

Term Glossary

Horsepower (hp) Types
Mechanical hp is 745.7 W, electrical hp is 746 W, and metric hp (PS) is 735.5 W, each with different standards. Check the hp type in literature first.
BTU/h
A cooling/heating capacity unit obtained by dividing BTU by time (h). 1 BTU/h = 0.293071 W, mainly used in air conditioner and boiler specifications.
Power Factor
The ratio of active power (W) to apparent power (VA) in AC circuits. It should be considered along with efficiency when calculating input power (kW).

  1. Choose the input unit (W, kW, hp).
  2. Enter the value you want to convert.
  3. Choose the output unit.
  4. Press convert and the result is displayed instantly.

1 kW Conversion

1 kW = 1,000 W = approximately 1.341 hp.

1 hp Conversion

1 hp (imperial) = approximately 745.7 W.

2.5 kW Conversion

2.5 kW = approximately 3.35 hp.

Power Unit Conversion Relationships

1 kW=1,000 W1\,\text{kW} = 1{,}000\,\text{W}
1 MW=1,000 kW=1,000,000 W1\,\text{MW} = 1{,}000\,\text{kW} = 1{,}000{,}000\,\text{W}
1 hp(mech)=745.7 W1\,\text{hp(mech)} = 745.7\,\text{W}
1 BTU/h=0.293071 W1\,\text{BTU/h} = 0.293071\,\text{W}
1 kW≈1.341 hp1\,\text{kW} \approx 1.341\,\text{hp}

Power Unit Conversion Relationships

Converting 150 hp to kW:

150 hp × 0.7457 = 111.86 kW

Everyday Power Comparisons

  • LED bulb 10~20 W, Fan 50~100 W
  • Air conditioner 800~2,000 W, Electric vehicle motor 100~500 kW

Engine Output Comparison

  • Compact car 80~120 hp, Sports car 300~1,000 hp
  • Truck engine 300~600 hp, Jet engine 10,000+ hp

Cooling Capacity

  • Cooling capacity is mainly displayed in BTU/h.
  • 3 pyeong room approx. 5,000 BTU/h, 20 pyeong apartment 20,000~30,000 BTU/h

Horsepower Type Caution

  • Mechanical hp is 745.7 W, electrical hp is 746 W.
  • Check the hp standard in literature first.

Equipment Selection

  • Add a safety margin to the required output when selecting motors.
  • Consider power factor and efficiency when calculating input power (kW).

Power Costs

  • kW is instantaneous output, kWh is usage (billing) unit.
  • Distinguish between the two units to understand your bill.

QWhat is a watt (W)?

A watt is the SI unit of power, representing the rate at which one joule (J) of energy is transferred or converted per second. It measures the amount of energy consumed or produced per unit of time.

QAre there different types of horsepower (hp)?

Yes. Metric horsepower (PS) is about 735.5 W, while imperial/US horsepower (hp) is about 745.7 W. Because the two values differ slightly, conversion results can vary depending on the region or standard used.

QHow do I convert kW to hp?

1 kW is approximately 1.341 hp. Multiply the kW value by 1.341 to get an approximate horsepower value. For example, 2.5 kW is about 3.35 hp.

QWhy do appliances list their power in watts?

The power rating in watts shows how much electricity an appliance uses, which matters for estimating electricity bills and planning electrical capacity. Multiplying watts by usage time gives energy consumption in kWh.

QWhat is the difference between power and energy?

Power is the rate of energy flow per unit time, measured in watts (W). Energy is the total amount used, measured in Wh or kWh. For example, using a 1000 W device for 1 hour consumes 1 kWh of energy.

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