How to convert kilowatts to horsepower
Every kilowatt is 1.341 horsepower, so the conversion is a single multiplication:
Worked example: 25 kW → 25 × 1.34102 = 33.5255 hp.
Quick mental estimate: Multiply by 1.3: 25 × 1.3 ≈ 32.5 hp (exact: 33.5255).
Kilowatts to horsepower conversion table
| Kilowatts (kW) | Horsepower (hp) |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 1.341 hp |
| 2 kW | 2.682 hp |
| 3 kW | 4.0231 hp |
| 5 kW | 6.7051 hp |
| 10 kW | 13.4102 hp |
| 15 kW | 20.1153 hp |
| 20 kW | 26.8204 hp |
| 25 kW | 33.5255 hp |
| 50 kW | 67.051 hp |
| 75 kW | 100.58 hp |
| 100 kW | 134.1 hp |
| 200 kW | 268.2 hp |
| 250 kW | 335.26 hp |
| 500 kW | 670.51 hp |
| 1,000 kW | 1,341.02 hp |
Values rounded to four decimals. For a value that is not in the table, use the converter above — it accepts decimals and negative numbers.
When you need this conversion
- Buying or comparing vehicles: engines are rated in horsepower in some markets and kilowatts in others, and electric motors are usually quoted in kW.
- Sizing generators, pumps, compressors and heating equipment from a specification sheet written for another market.
- Electricity consumption, where appliance ratings and tariffs are expressed in kilowatts.
Getting it right
Mechanical horsepower (745.7 W) and metric horsepower, also written PS or CV (735.5 W), differ by about 1.4 %. European car specifications usually quote the metric one; this page uses mechanical horsepower.
Sanity-check the direction of the result before you use it. One kilowatt is 1.341 horsepower, so converting kilowatts to horsepower should make the number larger. If it moved the other way, the conversion was applied backwards — the reverse converter is one click away.
About the units
Kilowatt (kW)
The kilowatt is 1 000 watts, the SI unit of power. Electric-vehicle motors, appliances, heaters and solar panels are rated in kilowatts.
Horsepower (hp)
The horsepower is a unit of power defined in the 18th century to sell steam engines. Mechanical horsepower is 745.7 watts; car engines and motors are still rated in it.
Frequently asked questions
How many horsepower are in 1 kilowatt?
1 kilowatt equals 1.341 horsepower. To convert any value, multiply the number of kilowatts by 1.34102.
How do I convert kilowatts to horsepower in my head?
Multiply by 1.3: 25 × 1.3 ≈ 32.5 hp (exact: 33.5255).
Is the kW to hp conversion exact?
1 mechanical horsepower is 745.699872 W, so 1.34102 is 1 000 ÷ 745.7 rounded.
How do I convert kilowatts to horsepower in Excel or Google Sheets?
Put the value in A1 and use =A1*1.34102. Both Excel and Google Sheets also have a built-in function, =CONVERT(A1,"kW","HP"), which avoids typing the factor by hand.
How many decimal places should I keep?
For everyday use two decimals are plenty. Keep four if the result feeds another calculation, and round only at the very end — rounding intermediate steps is the most common reason a result comes out slightly wrong.