Power Converter
The power converter allows you to quickly and accurately convert between the most common units of power. Whether you're working with watts, kilowatts, horsepower, or CV, this tool handles the math instantly.
Power conversions are essential in engineering, automotive, electrical systems, and everyday life. With different countries and industries using different power units — horsepower for car engines, kilowatts for electrical equipment, BTU/h for heating systems — having a reliable converter saves time and prevents errors.
How it works
Power conversions use standardized factors. All units are converted through a base unit (Watts). For example: 1 HP = 745.7 W, 1 CV = 735.5 W, 1 kW = 1,000 W, 1 MW = 1,000,000 W, 1 BTU/h = 0.29307 W. To convert between any two units, the value is first converted to W, then to the target unit.
Use cases
- Converting engine power between horsepower and kilowatts for automotive comparisons
- Converting electrical power ratings between watts and kilowatts for appliance specifications
- Converting between HP and CV for vehicle registration in different countries
- Converting heating/cooling capacity between BTU/h and kW for HVAC systems
Frequently asked questions
How many watts are in 1 horsepower?
One mechanical horsepower (HP) equals about 745.7 watts, while one metric horsepower (CV or PS) equals about 735.5 watts. So a 100 HP engine is roughly 74.6 kW. The two horsepower definitions differ by about 1.4%, which is why converters distinguish HP from CV.
What is the difference between HP and CV?
HP is the mechanical (imperial) horsepower at 745.7 W, and CV is the metric horsepower at 735.5 W, also called PS in German. European and Brazilian vehicle documents typically use CV, while US and UK specs use HP. Because CV is smaller, the same engine shows a slightly higher CV number than HP.
How do you convert kilowatts to horsepower?
Divide the kilowatt value by 0.7457 to get mechanical HP, or by 0.7355 to get metric CV. For example, 150 kW is about 201 HP or 204 CV. Multiply HP by 0.7457 to go back to kilowatts.
How many watts is 1 BTU per hour?
One BTU per hour equals about 0.29307 watts, so 1 kW is roughly 3,412 BTU/h. Air conditioners are often rated in BTU/h, so this factor lets you compare their cooling capacity in kilowatts. A common 12,000 BTU/h unit is about 3.5 kW.
How do I convert kW to MW?
Divide kilowatts by 1,000 to get megawatts, since 1 MW equals 1,000 kW. For example, 2,500 kW is 2.5 MW. Megawatts are typically used for power plants and large industrial loads, while kilowatts suit household and appliance ratings.