Engineering

Power Converter

Convert motor, vehicle, equipment, and heating/cooling power ratings.

Step 1

Choose units

Enter a value, pick the units, and the conversion updates instantly.

Quick converter. Results update locally in your browser.

Great for quick checks; verify exact specs when precision matters.
Details

Conversion notes

Companion units, sanity checks, and precision notes.

What this means

1 horsepower (hp) converts to 0.75 kilowatts. The reverse check is 1 horsepower (hp), which is useful for spotting unit-entry mistakes.

Use-case cards

  • Motors, electrical loads, HVAC/equipment specs, and generator sizing checks.

Copy result

Copy a short conversion note without saving the input anywhere.

UnitConverted valueBased on
kilowatts0.75 kilowatts1 horsepower (hp)
watts745.7 watts1 horsepower (hp)
megawatts0 megawatts1 horsepower (hp)
horsepower (hp)1 horsepower (hp)1 horsepower (hp)
metric horsepower (PS)1.01 metric horsepower (PS)1 horsepower (hp)
Unitkilowatts
Converted value
0.75 kilowatts
Based on
1 horsepower (hp)
Unitwatts
Converted value
745.7 watts
Based on
1 horsepower (hp)
Unitmegawatts
Converted value
0 megawatts
Based on
1 horsepower (hp)
Unithorsepower (hp)
Converted value
1 horsepower (hp)
Based on
1 horsepower (hp)
Unitmetric horsepower (PS)
Converted value
1.01 metric horsepower (PS)
Based on
1 horsepower (hp)

Power sizing worksheet

Use these local-only rows when the conversion feeds a motor, appliance, generator, inverter, HVAC, or equipment-capacity check instead of a one-off unit translation.

ScenarioWattskWhpPSBTU/hour8-hour energyUse it for
Entered power745.70.7511.012,544.435.97 kWhUse this row to keep the source rating visible before comparing spec sheets, labels, or load estimates.
80% available output596.560.60.80.812,035.554.77 kWhQuick derating check for continuous load, inverter/generator capacity, heat, altitude, or aging equipment.
Add 20% sizing headroom894.840.891.21.223,053.327.16 kWhEarly planning line when startup surge, duty cycle, or future load growth may matter.
8-hour energy use745.70.7511.012,544.435.97 kWhShows the energy a steady load would consume over a typical work shift; actual duty cycle may be lower.
ScenarioEntered power
Watts
745.7
kW
0.75
hp
1
PS
1.01
BTU/hour
2,544.43
8-hour energy
5.97 kWh
Use it for
Use this row to keep the source rating visible before comparing spec sheets, labels, or load estimates.
Scenario80% available output
Watts
596.56
kW
0.6
hp
0.8
PS
0.81
BTU/hour
2,035.55
8-hour energy
4.77 kWh
Use it for
Quick derating check for continuous load, inverter/generator capacity, heat, altitude, or aging equipment.
ScenarioAdd 20% sizing headroom
Watts
894.84
kW
0.89
hp
1.2
PS
1.22
BTU/hour
3,053.32
8-hour energy
7.16 kWh
Use it for
Early planning line when startup surge, duty cycle, or future load growth may matter.
Scenario8-hour energy use
Watts
745.7
kW
0.75
hp
1
PS
1.01
BTU/hour
2,544.43
8-hour energy
5.97 kWh
Use it for
Shows the energy a steady load would consume over a typical work shift; actual duty cycle may be lower.

Power-rating checklist

CheckWhy
Separate power from energyWatts, kW, hp, and BTU/hour are rates; kWh, joules, and BTU totals require a time period.
Continuous vs peak ratingMotors, generators, inverters, and HVAC equipment may advertise surge, peak, nominal, or continuous ratings.
Account for real operating conditionsPower factor, efficiency, heat, altitude, duty cycle, starting surge, and service factor can change the safe equipment choice.
CheckSeparate power from energy
Why
Watts, kW, hp, and BTU/hour are rates; kWh, joules, and BTU totals require a time period.
CheckContinuous vs peak rating
Why
Motors, generators, inverters, and HVAC equipment may advertise surge, peak, nominal, or continuous ratings.
CheckAccount for real operating conditions
Why
Power factor, efficiency, heat, altitude, duty cycle, starting surge, and service factor can change the safe equipment choice.

Watch-outs

  • Rounded display can hide tiny precision differences; use exact specs where tolerances matter.
  • Make sure the source and destination units are from the same measurement family.
  • Do not use a quick conversion as final design approval for safety-critical systems.
  • Confirm standards, tolerances, temperature, material condition, and manufacturer data where specs matter.

Rounded for display. Use exact specs or professional references where precision matters.

Example

1 mechanical horsepower = about 0.746 kilowatts.

Notes

Results are rounded for quick checks. Use official specs or calibrated tools when tolerances, compliance, or safety matter.

Use it well

Get a better answer from the Power Converter

  1. Start with the example values to see how the tool behaves.
  2. Swap in your own numbers, even if they are rough first-pass estimates.
  3. Change one input at a time so you can see what actually moves the result.

What the result means

The result is a quick technical check based on a standard formula or unit relationship. It helps you sanity-check a spec before deeper review.

How to use it

Use it to catch order-of-magnitude problems: a value that is wildly too high, too low, or in the wrong unit before it reaches a drawing, quote, or part list.

What can change it

Do not treat a simple calculator as engineering approval. Real equipment decisions can depend on tolerance, safety factor, code, heat, duty cycle, and manufacturer limits.

Good for

Convert motor or equipment power ratings.

Check next

Compare your result with HP to PS Converter, Torque and RPM to Horsepower Calculator, Energy Converter when you want more context.

Best habit

Run a conservative case and an optimistic case. The gap between them is often more useful than a single answer.

Common uses

  • Convert motor or equipment power ratings.
  • Compare hp, PS, and kW specs.
  • Convert heating/cooling power units.

Common questions

Is the Power Converter private?

Yes. CalcShelf calculators run without an account, do not save calculator entries, and do not put raw inputs into shareable URLs or analytics events.

How accurate is the Power Converter?

It is a formula check, not stamped engineering. Tolerance, safety factor, heat, duty cycle, environment, and manufacturer limits can change real equipment choices.

What should I check after using the Power Converter?

Verify units, specs, tolerances, safety factors, code requirements, and manufacturer data before choosing parts or equipment.

Which calculator should I try next?

Use the related calculators below to cross-check the same decision from another angle before you act.

Method behind the estimate

Engineering tools use standard unit relationships and simple mechanical, electrical, pressure, energy, density, or flow conversions.

Why the detail matters

For design, safety, warranty, or production work, verify against official specifications, standards, tolerances, and qualified engineering review.

Privacy guardrail

Your calculator values are for you. CalcShelf does not require an account, save calculator entries, put your numbers into shareable URLs, or use raw inputs as analytics events.

Copy or print safely

Use any copy, print, or worksheet controls as local handoff tools for your own notes, supplier calls, lender questions, or implementation checklist. They are there to help you explain the result to a human.

Before acting

Treat the result as a decision draft, not a verdict. Recheck the source numbers, run a downside case, and verify the real-world rule, quote, label, or spec that controls the final answer.

Last reviewed: May 11, 2026. See methodology and editorial policy for formulas, assumptions, rounding, review approach, and limitations. For production, code, safety, or equipment changes, verify against official specs.