🔌 Power
Convert power units free: watt, kilowatt, horsepower, BTU per hour. For engines, appliances and HVAC. Instant results.
🔌 Power
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About the Power Tool
Power is the rate at which energy is used, and it is quoted in different units depending on the industry. Engines are rated in horsepower, electrical appliances in watts, air conditioning in BTU per hour, and industrial equipment in kilowatts.
Converting matters when comparing across those boundaries — checking whether a generator can run a particular motor, or whether an electric vehicle’s kilowatt rating is comparable to a petrol engine’s horsepower. This converter handles it in your browser.
How to Use Power
- Enter the power value.
- Select the source unit.
- Select the target unit.
- Read the converted result.
When to Use This Tool
- Comparing engine output between horsepower and kilowatts
- Checking appliance power draw against a generator’s capacity
- Converting HVAC ratings between BTU/h and kilowatts
- Comparing electric and combustion vehicle specifications
- Sizing electrical circuits for equipment rated in different units
Things Worth Knowing
- One metric horsepower is about 735.5 watts; one mechanical horsepower is about 745.7 watts.
- Power is energy per unit time — a kilowatt sustained for an hour delivers one kilowatt-hour.
- One kilowatt is approximately 1.34 mechanical horsepower.
Quick Facts
| Tool name | Power |
| Category | Unit Converters |
| Price | Free — no account, no trial, no watermark |
| Where it runs | Entirely in your browser (client-side) |
| Files uploaded | None — your data never leaves your device |
| File size limit | None imposed; limited only by device memory |
| Works offline | Yes, once the page has loaded |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert horsepower to kilowatts?
Multiply by 0.7457 for mechanical horsepower, or 0.7355 for metric horsepower (PS). A 200 hp engine is about 149 kW.
What is the difference between metric and mechanical horsepower?
Mechanical horsepower, used in the US and UK, is 745.7 watts. Metric horsepower (PS or CV), used across much of Europe, is 735.5 watts — about 1.4% smaller. Manufacturers quote whichever suits their market.
What is the difference between power and energy?
Power is the rate of energy use; energy is the total amount. A 2 kW heater running for three hours uses 6 kWh of energy. Power is instantaneous, energy accumulates.
How many watts does a household appliance use?
Widely variable — an LED bulb is under 10 W, a laptop around 50 W, a microwave 800–1200 W, and an electric water heater 2000–4000 W. Check the rating plate for a specific figure.