Power Converter

Our Power Converter is a versatile tool that helps you convert between different units of power: watts (W), kilowatts (kW), horsepower (hp), and megawatts (MW). Whether you’re working with electrical systems, mechanical equipment, or energy calculations, this calculator makes power conversion simple and accurate.

Understanding Power Units

Metric System

Watts (W)

The watt is the SI unit of power, defined as one joule per second. It measures the rate at which energy is transferred or work is done. Named after James Watt, it’s commonly used for electrical power measurements.

Kilowatts (kW)

The kilowatt equals 1,000 watts and is commonly used for measuring larger amounts of power, such as in electrical appliances, motors, and industrial equipment.

Megawatts (MW)

The megawatt equals 1,000,000 watts or 1,000 kilowatts. It’s used for very large power measurements, such as power plant output or industrial power consumption.

Imperial/Other Units

Horsepower (hp)

Horsepower is a non-SI unit of power, originally defined as the power needed to lift 550 pounds by 1 foot in 1 second. It’s commonly used for measuring engine power, particularly in vehicles and machinery.

Conversion Formulas

Here are the formulas used for converting between different power units:

Metric to Imperial

• 1 watt = 0.001341022 horsepower
• 1 kilowatt = 1.341022 horsepower
• 1 megawatt = 1,341.022 horsepower

Imperial to Metric

• 1 horsepower = 745.7 watts
• 1 horsepower = 0.7457 kilowatts
• 1 horsepower = 0.0007457 megawatts

Metric to Metric

• 1 kilowatt = 1,000 watts
• 1 megawatt = 1,000,000 watts
• 1 megawatt = 1,000 kilowatts

Common Power References

Here are some common power measurements for reference:

• LED light bulb: 5-15 W
• Microwave oven: 600-1,200 W
• Electric car motor: 100-400 kW
• Typical car engine: 150-200 hp
• Wind turbine: 2-5 MW
• Nuclear power plant unit: 500-1,500 MW

How to Use the Calculator

1. Enter a value in any of the four input fields (watts, kilowatts, horsepower, or megawatts)
2. The calculator will automatically convert and display the equivalent power in all other units
3. Use the Reset button to clear all fields and start a new conversion
4. Hover over the input fields for helpful tooltips

Applications

Power conversion is essential in many fields:

• Engineering: Calculating power requirements for systems and equipment
• Automotive: Comparing engine power specifications
• Electrical: Sizing electrical systems and components
• Industrial: Specifying machinery and equipment power needs
• Energy: Analyzing power generation and consumption
• Consumer Electronics: Understanding device power requirements

Tips for Accurate Conversion

• Always use decimal points for precise measurements
• Double-check critical measurements
• Consider rounding to appropriate precision for your application
• Keep in mind the context of your measurement needs

Technical Notes

This calculator provides conversions accurate to two decimal places, which is sufficient for most practical purposes. For extremely precise measurements or scientific applications, please use specialized measuring equipment and conversion methods.

Common Conversion Scenarios

• Converting electrical appliance ratings between regions
• Comparing engine specifications across different markets
• Calculating power requirements for electrical installations
• Analyzing power generation capacity
• Determining power consumption for cost calculations