HP-kW Converter
HP ↔ kW instantly – convert HP to kW and kW to HP
- Updated
You can type in either field. German registration papers state the power in kW (field P.2).
Result in kW
73.55kW
73.55100 PS is 73.55 kW.
The HP figure is always about 1.36 times the kW figure.
- 100 HP equals
- 73.55 kW
- 100 kW equals
- 135.96 PS
How this was calculated
1 metric horsepower (PS) equals exactly 0.73549875 kW (75 kgf·m/s). Results rounded to 2 decimal places.
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Convert watts, megawatts and horsepower (hp)
Besides metric horsepower and kW, this part converts every common power unit into every other – such as watts to PS or the hp of a US car to kW.
The same power in the other units
- Watt1,000 W
- Megawatt0.001 MW
- Metric horsepower1.359622 PS
- Horsepower1.341022 hp
Converted via watts: 1 kW = 1,000 W · 1 MW = 1,000,000 W · 1 PS = 735.49875 W · 1 hp = 745.6998716 W. hp is the British/American horsepower (550 ft·lbf/s), PS the metric horsepower (75 kgf·m/s).
HP and kW: formula and background
Everything about converting engine power ratings
The metric horsepower (PS) is a technical power unit that is still common in the automotive world today, even though official EU documents require kilowatts (kW). The conversion formula is: kW = HP × 0.73549875. Conversely: HP = kW ÷ 0.73549875. The number 0.73549875 comes from the physical definition: one metric horsepower is the power needed to lift 75 kg by one metre in one second – equivalent to 75 × 9.80665 = 735.49875 watts.
In the EU vehicle registration certificate (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I), the engine power is officially listed in kW in field P.2. To get the HP figure from it, divide the kW value by 0.73549875. Example: 110 kW ÷ 0.73549875 = 149.56 HP. Vehicle brochures usually round this to whole HP figures.
By comparison, the British/American horsepower (hp) is slightly different: 1 hp = 0.7457 kW, roughly 1.4% more than a metric horsepower (0.73549875 kW). This can lead to small discrepancies for vehicles imported from the US or the UK. Our calculator uses the metric horsepower (PS, DIN 66036), which is the standard in Germany and Europe.
Need more than HP and kW – say watts, megawatts or British/American horsepower (hp)? Right below the calculator, the section Convert watts, megawatts and horsepower (hp) converts each of these power units into every other.
Reference values: HP and kW compared
- Formula
- kW = HP × 0.73549875
- Example
- 100 HP
- Result
- 73.55 kW
- Formula
- HP = kW ÷ 0.73549875
- Example
- 100 kW
- Result
- 135.96 HP
- 75 HP
- 55.16 kW
- 100 HP
- 73.55 kW
- 150 HP
- 110.32 kW
- 200 HP
- 147.10 kW
- 100 kW
- 135.96 HP
- 150 kW
- 203.94 HP
More power units: watts, hp and megawatts
The most important power conversions
- 1 kW = 1.3596 PS
- Vehicle power, EU standard
- 1 PS = 735.5 W
- Metric horsepower
- 1 hp = 745.7 W
- British/American horsepower
- 1 MW = 1,000 kW
- Power plants, wind energy
- 1 PS = 0.7355 kW
- Convert PS to kW
- 1 hp ≈ 1.0139 PS
- hp and PS compared
Frequently asked questions about the HP-kW converter
Engine power, units and vehicle technology explained
How do I convert HP to kW?
The formula is: kW = HP × 0.73549875. One metric horsepower (PS per DIN 66036) equals exactly 0.73549875 kilowatts. Example: 100 HP × 0.73549875 = 73.55 kW. Conversely: HP = kW ÷ 0.73549875. So 100 kW ÷ 0.73549875 = 135.96 HP.
Why is one metric horsepower equal to 0.73549875 kW?
The metric horsepower (PS) was defined as a technical unit in the 19th century. One PS equals the power required to lift 75 kilograms by one metre in one second: 75 kg × 9.80665 m/s² × 1 m/s = 735.49875 watts = 0.73549875 kW. The DIN 66036 standard established this definition. In the English-speaking world, horsepower (hp) applies instead, with a slightly different value (1 hp ≈ 0.7457 kW).
Which unit is used in Germany – HP or kW?
EU vehicle documents (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II) officially state engine power in kW. The HP figure is no longer the official primary unit, but it is still widely used in everyday language, brochures and advertising. Both figures may be used alongside each other.
How much horsepower does a typical car have?
Small cars (e.g. VW Polo, Renault Clio) typically have 75–115 HP (55–85 kW). Compact cars (VW Golf, Toyota Corolla): 100–150 HP (74–110 kW). Mid-size sedans: 150–250 HP (110–184 kW). Sports cars and SUVs often start at 200 HP (147 kW) and can go well beyond 500 HP (368 kW). Electric cars are also frequently rated in HP/kW, even though this refers to the electric motor's output power.
What is the difference between metric horsepower (PS) and hp?
1 PS (metric horsepower) = 735.49875 W. 1 hp (British/American horsepower) = 745.6999 W. PS and hp are similar but not identical: 1 hp ≈ 1.0139 PS. In the US, vehicle power is stated in hp, while in Germany it is stated in PS or kW.
What is the difference between HP, kW and Nm?
HP and kW are units of power (work per time). Newton-metres (Nm), on the other hand, describe torque – the rotational force at the wheel. A powerful vehicle does not necessarily have high torque – that depends on the engine design. Diesel engines typically have high torque at low RPM, while petrol engines tend to develop their power at higher RPM. Torque is relevant for towing capacity and the feeling of acceleration from a standstill.