Watts to Horsepower Calculator

Convert power from watts (W) to horsepower (hp) with this easy-to-use calculator. Whether you’re working with engines, electric motors, or comparing power ratings, this tool helps you quickly convert between these common units of power measurement.

Understanding Watts and Horsepower

Watts and horsepower are both units of power measurement, but they’re used in different contexts:

• Watts (W): The SI unit of power, commonly used for electrical devices
• Horsepower (hp): Traditionally used for engines and motors, especially in the automotive industry

The relationship between watts and horsepower is fixed: 1 horsepower = 745.7 watts

This means that to convert from watts to horsepower, you divide the number of watts by 745.7.

$\text{Horsepower} = \text{Watts} \div 745.7$

Common Conversions

Here are some commonly used conversions:

• 746 watts = 1.000 horsepower
• 1,000 watts (1 kW) = 1.341 horsepower
• 2,000 watts (2 kW) = 2.682 horsepower
• 5,000 watts (5 kW) = 6.705 horsepower
• 10,000 watts (10 kW) = 13.410 horsepower
• 50,000 watts (50 kW) = 67.050 horsepower

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter the power in watts in the input field
2. The equivalent power in horsepower will be automatically calculated
3. Use the “Copy Result” button to copy the converted value
4. Click “Reset” to clear both fields and start a new conversion

Practical Applications

This calculator is particularly useful for:

• Automotive power specifications
• Electric motor ratings
• Power tool comparisons
• Industrial equipment specifications
• Marine engine power ratings
• Generator capacity calculations

Tips for Accurate Conversion

• Always double-check your input value
• For precise calculations, the result is rounded to 3 decimal places
• Remember that this calculator uses mechanical horsepower (1 hp = 745.7 W)
• For quick estimates, you can use 746 watts as approximately 1 horsepower

Technical Notes

The conversion uses the internationally recognized standard where 1 mechanical horsepower equals exactly 745.7 watts. This is the most commonly used definition of horsepower, though other variations exist:

• Mechanical/Imperial horsepower: 745.7 watts
• Metric horsepower: 735.5 watts
• Electrical horsepower: 746 watts

This calculator uses mechanical horsepower, which is the standard in most English-speaking countries.

Note: When working with electrical systems, it’s important to note that electrical horsepower (746 watts) is slightly different from mechanical horsepower (745.7 watts), though the difference is negligible for most practical applications.