HP to kW converter
Convert engine power from horsepower to kilowatts (kW), the official unit on vehicle documents.
HP to kW converter: what it is and how it works
If you know a car’s or motorbike’s power in horsepower and need it in kilowatts — for insurance, a grant application or to check the registration document — multiply by 0.7457 for mechanical horsepower (hp) or 0.7355 for metric horsepower (PS). So 1 hp is 0.7457 kW and 100 hp is 74.57 kW.
The conversion is also useful to compare combustion cars with electric cars, whose power is usually stated in kW, or to size electric motors, pumps and generators. Make sure you pick the right horsepower: European “CV” or “PS” figures are metric.
How to use it
- Enter the power in horsepower.
- Choose hp or PS as the source unit and kW as the target.
- Read the kilowatts and the other equivalents.
kW = hp × 0.745699872 · kW = PS × 0.73549875Worked example
A 110 PS car has 80.90 kW. 150 hp is 111.85 kW.
Frequently asked questions
How many kW is 100 hp?
74.57 kW (or 73.55 kW if the figure is metric PS).
How do I estimate kW from hp in my head?
Multiply by three quarters: 200 hp × 0.75 ≈ 150 kW (exactly 149.1 kW).
Is PS the same as hp?
No. 1 hp is 0.7457 kW and 1 PS is 0.7355 kW.
Which one do car makers use?
In continental Europe, metric PS (CV); in the UK and US, mechanical hp or bhp.