TFT

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

Core Power Equations

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

Core Conversion Equations

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

WattsKilowattsHorsepowerMetric HP
1 W0.001 kW0.00134 hp0.00136 metric hp
1,000 W1 kW1.341 hp1.360 metric hp
745.7 W0.746 kW1 hp1.014 metric hp
735.5 W0.736 kW0.986 hp1 metric hp
1,000,000 W1,000 kW1,341 hp1,360 metric hp
1 kW1 kW1.341 hp1.360 metric hp

Power Unit Reference Table

UnitSymbolEquals 1 Unit In WattsPrimary Use
WattW1 WSI unit, electrical devices
KilowattkW1,000 WAppliances, motors, solar panels
MegawattMW1,000,000 WPower plants, large industry
GigawattGW1,000,000,000 WNational power grids
Horsepower (mechanical)hp745.7 WEngines, motors (US/UK)
Horsepower (metric)PS, metric hp735.5 WEuropean vehicles, machinery
BTU/hourBTU/h0.293 WHVAC systems (US)

Real-World Power Examples

Device/EquipmentWattsHorsepowerDescription
LED light bulb5-15 W0.007-0.02 hpEnergy-efficient lighting
Incandescent bulb40-100 W0.05-0.13 hpTraditional lighting
Laptop computer30-100 W0.04-0.13 hpTypical consumption
Microwave oven600-1,200 W0.8-1.6 hpKitchen appliance
Hair dryer1,000-2,000 W1.3-2.7 hpPersonal care
Electric kettle1,500-3,000 W2-4 hpKitchen appliance
Space heater1,500 W2 hpHome heating
Car engine (compact)75,000-100,000 W100-134 hpSmall vehicle
Car engine (large)200,000-400,000 W268-536 hpPerformance vehicle

Electric Motor Power Guide

ApplicationKilowattsHorsepower
Small fan0.01-0.1 kW0.01-0.13 hp
Drill/driver0.3-1 kW0.4-1.3 hp
Air compressor1-5 kW1.3-6.7 hp
Water pump0.5-15 kW0.7-20 hp
HVAC system3-50 kW4-67 hp
Industrial motor10-500 kW13-670 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

Watts (W) / Kilowatts (kW)

Electrical Devices

Appliances, electronics, light bulbs, chargers

Solar Power

Panel ratings (kW), system capacity (kW or MW)

Electricity Billing

Consumption measured in kWh

Horsepower (hp)

Automotive

Engine power ratings (US/UK markets)

Small Engines

Lawn mowers, generators, pumps

Electric Motors

Industrial motor ratings (US)

Metric Horsepower (PS)

European Vehicles

Car engine specifications (Germany, etc.)

Machinery

European industrial equipment

Megawatts (MW) / Gigawatts (GW)

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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