Power Converter - Convert Power Units

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Unit	Value	Actions
terawatt TW
gigawatt GW
megawatt MW
kilowatt kW
metric horsepower hk
watt W
milliwatt mW
microwatt µW
nanowatt nW

Unit	Value	Actions
british thermal unit per second BTU/s
horsepower hp
british thermal unit per minute BTU/min
foot pound-force per second ft×lbf/s
british thermal unit per hour BTU/h

Unit	Value	Actions
kilocalorie per hour kcal/h
calorie per hour cal/h

Common mistakes in power conversion

Horsepower comes in flavours: the metric horsepower is about 735.5 W while the mechanical (imperial/US) horsepower is about 745.7 W, roughly 1.4% stronger. The same engine therefore shows a slightly lower number in hp than in European hk/PS figures. Always state which horsepower you mean.
'Kilowatts per hour' is a common slip of the tongue, power is measured in plain kilowatts. The kilowatt-hour (kWh) is energy: power multiplied by time. A machine draws 3 kW, and uses 3 kWh in one hour.
American air conditioners are rated in BTU/h, European ones in watts, 1 kW is about 3,412 BTU/h. A '9,000 BTU' unit is therefore about 2.6 kW. Divide BTU/h by 3,412 to get kilowatts.
'Calories burned per hour' is a power figure, not an amount of energy: 1 kcal/h is about 1.16 W. A run that burns 600 kcal in an hour corresponds to an average output of about 700 W.

Quick conversion quiz

Score: 0

10 megawatt equals 6.71e+4 horsepower.

Correct answer: 10 megawatt = 1.34e+4 horsepower.

50 horsepower equals 0.0373 megawatt.

Correct answer: 50 horsepower = 0.0373 megawatt.

0.3 kilowatt equals 0.402 horsepower.

Correct answer: 0.3 kilowatt = 0.402 horsepower.

Definitions

metric horsepower (hk)

Unit of power, approx 735.5 watts.

The metric horsepower (PS, hk, ch) is defined as the power to lift a mass of 75 kg by 1 meter in 1 second. It is approximately 735.5 watts. It differs slightly from the imperial mechanical horsepower.

watt (W)

SI derived unit of power. 1 joule per second.

The watt (W) is the unit of power in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as a derived unit of 1 joule per second. It is used to quantify the rate of energy transfer.

horsepower (hp)

Imperial unit of power, approx 745.7 watts.

Mechanical horsepower (hp), also known as imperial horsepower, is defined as approximately 745.7 watts. It is based on lifting 550 pounds by 1 foot in 1 second.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between kW and kWh?

kW measures power (rate). kWh measures energy over time. Example: 2 kW used for 3 hours equals 6 kWh.

How many watts are in a kilowatt?

1 kilowatt equals exactly 1000 watts.

How do I convert horsepower to kilowatts?

1 mechanical horsepower is about 0.7457 kW. Multiply hp by 0.7457 to get kW.

How do I convert watts to horsepower?

1 mechanical horsepower is about 745.7 W. Divide watts by 745.7 to get hp.

How are volts, amps, and watts related?

For DC circuits: watts = volts × amps. For AC systems, power factor may also matter depending on the load.

Why does a device show a higher “peak” power than its rated power?

Peak power is a short burst maximum. Rated/continuous power is what it can sustain safely over time.

How do I use the power converter on konvertera.nu?

Enter a value (like hp), choose the target unit (like kW), and the converter calculates the equivalent power.

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