Power Converter
Convert power units including watts, kilowatts, horsepower, megawatts, and more. Accurate online power converter for mechanical, electrical, and engineering calculations.
Understanding Power
Power measures the rate of energy transfer or work done per unit time. You encounter power ratings constantly — light bulbs, motors, engines, appliances, and electrical devices all display power specifications. Higher power means faster energy consumption or greater work output.
The watt (W) serves as the SI unit for power, named after James Watt. One watt equals one joule per second. Electrical devices use watts and kilowatts. Mechanical systems often use horsepower. Large-scale power generation uses megawatts and gigawatts.
Power Formulas
Basic Power Definition
P = E / t
Power equals energy divided by time
Example: 3,600 J / 1 s = 3,600 W
Mechanical Power
P = F × v
Force times velocity
Example: 100 N × 2 m/s = 200 W
Electrical Power (DC)
P = V × I
Voltage times current
Example: 120 V × 10 A = 1,200 W
Electrical Power (Resistance)
P = I² × R
Current squared times resistance
Example: 5² A × 10 Ω = 250 W
Rotational Power
P = τ × ω
Torque times angular velocity
Example: 50 N·m × 100 rad/s = 5,000 W
Power from Work
P = W / t
Work divided by time
Example: 1,000 J / 5 s = 200 W
Power Conversion Formulas
Watts to Kilowatts
kW = W ÷ 1,000
Example: 2,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 2.5 kW
Kilowatts to Watts
W = kW × 1,000
Example: 3 kW × 1,000 = 3,000 W
Horsepower to Watts
W = hp × 745.7
Example: 5 hp × 745.7 = 3,728.5 W
Watts to Horsepower
hp = W × 0.00134102
Example: 1,000 W × 0.00134102 = 1.34 hp
Metric HP to Watts
W = metric hp × 735.5
Example: 10 metric hp × 735.5 = 7,355 W
Megawatts to Kilowatts
kW = MW × 1,000
Example: 5 MW × 1,000 = 5,000 kW
Common Power Conversions
| Watts | Kilowatts | Horsepower | Metric HP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 W | 0.001 kW | 0.00134 hp | 0.00136 metric hp |
| 1,000 W | 1 kW | 1.341 hp | 1.360 metric hp |
| 745.7 W | 0.746 kW | 1 hp | 1.014 metric hp |
| 735.5 W | 0.736 kW | 0.986 hp | 1 metric hp |
| 1,000,000 W | 1,000 kW | 1,341 hp | 1,360 metric hp |
| 1 kW | 1 kW | 1.341 hp | 1.360 metric hp |
Power Unit Reference Table
| Unit | Symbol | Equals 1 Unit In Watts | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watt | W | 1 W | SI unit, electrical devices |
| Kilowatt | kW | 1,000 W | Appliances, motors, solar panels |
| Megawatt | MW | 1,000,000 W | Power plants, large industry |
| Gigawatt | GW | 1,000,000,000 W | National power grids |
| Horsepower (mechanical) | hp | 745.7 W | Engines, motors (US/UK) |
| Horsepower (metric) | PS, metric hp | 735.5 W | European vehicles, machinery |
| BTU/hour | BTU/h | 0.293 W | HVAC systems (US) |
Real-World Power Examples
| Device/Equipment | Watts | Horsepower | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED light bulb | 5-15 W | 0.007-0.02 hp | Energy-efficient lighting |
| Incandescent bulb | 40-100 W | 0.05-0.13 hp | Traditional lighting |
| Laptop computer | 30-100 W | 0.04-0.13 hp | Typical consumption |
| Microwave oven | 600-1,200 W | 0.8-1.6 hp | Kitchen appliance |
| Hair dryer | 1,000-2,000 W | 1.3-2.7 hp | Personal care |
| Electric kettle | 1,500-3,000 W | 2-4 hp | Kitchen appliance |
| Space heater | 1,500 W | 2 hp | Home heating |
| Car engine (compact) | 75,000-100,000 W | 100-134 hp | Small vehicle |
| Car engine (large) | 200,000-400,000 W | 268-536 hp | Performance vehicle |
Electric Motor Power Guide
| Application | Kilowatts | Horsepower |
|---|---|---|
| Small fan | 0.01-0.1 kW | 0.01-0.13 hp |
| Drill/driver | 0.3-1 kW | 0.4-1.3 hp |
| Air compressor | 1-5 kW | 1.3-6.7 hp |
| Water pump | 0.5-15 kW | 0.7-20 hp |
| HVAC system | 3-50 kW | 4-67 hp |
| Industrial motor | 10-500 kW | 13-670 hp |
Power vs Energy: Key Difference
Power and energy relate but differ fundamentally. Power measures the rate of energy use (watts). Energy measures total consumption (watt-hours). Understanding this distinction helps you read electricity bills and size electrical systems.
Power (Watts)
- •Rate of energy transfer
- •Instantaneous measurement
- •Like speed (km/h)
- •Device rating: "This heater uses 1,500 W"
Energy (Watt-hours)
- •Total work done or consumed
- •Accumulated over time
- •Like distance (km)
- •Utility billing: "You used 500 kWh this month"
When to Use Each Power Unit
Electrical Devices
Appliances, electronics, light bulbs, chargers
Solar Power
Panel ratings (kW), system capacity (kW or MW)
Electricity Billing
Consumption measured in kWh
Automotive
Engine power ratings (US/UK markets)
Small Engines
Lawn mowers, generators, pumps
Electric Motors
Industrial motor ratings (US)
European Vehicles
Car engine specifications (Germany, etc.)
Machinery
European industrial equipment
Power Generation
Power plant capacity, wind farms
Grid Infrastructure
Transmission capacity, regional demand
Large Industry
Factory power consumption
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HP and PS?
HP (horsepower) equals 745.7 watts. PS (Pferdestärke, metric horsepower) equals 735.5 watts. PS is about 1.4% less than HP. European cars often use PS, while US/UK vehicles use HP. Convert: PS × 0.986 = HP.
How do I calculate electricity costs?
Multiply device power (kW) by hours used, then by your electricity rate. Example: 1.5 kW heater × 4 hours × $0.15/kWh = $0.90. Check your bill for the exact rate per kWh.
What size generator do I need?
Add up wattages of all devices you want to power simultaneously. Add 20-25% safety margin. Motors need extra startup power (2-3× running watts). A typical home needs 5,000-10,000 W for essential circuits.
Why do some countries use kW for cars?
Australia and some European countries require kW ratings for vehicles. Kilowatts provide a standardized SI measurement. Convert: HP × 0.7457 = kW. A 200 HP engine equals 149 kW.
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