Free kW to HP Calculator
kW to HP Converter
Results update as you type. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.
Whole numbers or decimals, e.g. 5 or 7.5
This calculator uses mechanical (imperial) horsepower, the standard used on most motor, pump and engine specifications. It is not metric horsepower (PS), which is about 1.4% smaller.
kW to HP Conversion Formula
To convert kW to HP, multiply the power in kilowatts by 1.34102209. That number comes from the definition of one mechanical horsepower: 745.699872 watts. So one kilowatt (1,000 W) is 1,000 ÷ 745.699872 = 1.34102209 hp.
HPThe power in mechanical horsepower, the result you're after.kWThe power in kilowatts (1 kW = 1,000 watts), usually from a motor nameplate, equipment datasheet or generator spec.1.34102209The conversion factor: horsepower per kilowatt (1,000 ÷ 745.699872).
Worked example: a 7.5 kW pump motor
- Read the rated output from the nameplate: 7.5 kW.
- Multiply by the conversion factor: 7.5 × 1.34102209 = 10.0577.
- Round to two decimal places: 10.06 hp. In practice this motor is sold as a "10 hp" motor.
Quick check: 5 kW to HP
5 × 1.34102209 = 6.7051, so 5 kW = 6.71 hp. As a rule of thumb, kW × 1.34 gets you within a fraction of a percent.
Common kW to HP Conversion Table
The kW values below are the standard IEC motor ratings you'll see on Australian electric motors, pumps and compressors. Horsepower values are rounded to two decimal places.
Kilowatts to horsepower
| Kilowatts (kW) | Horsepower (HP) |
|---|---|
| 0.75 | 1.01 |
| 1 | 1.34 |
| 1.5 | 2.01 |
| 2.2 | 2.95 |
| 3 | 4.02 |
| 4 | 5.36 |
| 5.5 | 7.38 |
| 7.5 | 10.06 |
| 11 | 14.75 |
| 15 | 20.12 |
| 18.5 | 24.81 |
| 22 | 29.50 |
| 30 | 40.23 |
| 37 | 49.62 |
| 45 | 60.35 |
| 55 | 73.76 |
| 75 | 100.58 |
| 90 | 120.69 |
| 110 | 147.51 |
Horsepower to kilowatts (1 HP to kW and up)
| Horsepower (HP) | Kilowatts (kW) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.75 |
| 2 | 1.49 |
| 3 | 2.24 |
| 5 | 3.73 |
| 7.5 | 5.59 |
| 10 | 7.46 |
| 15 | 11.19 |
| 20 | 14.91 |
| 25 | 18.64 |
| 30 | 22.37 |
| 40 | 29.83 |
| 50 | 37.28 |
| 75 | 55.93 |
| 100 | 74.57 |
Understanding kW and HP
What is a kilowatt (kW)?
A kilowatt is 1,000 watts, the SI (metric) unit of power. It measures how fast energy is used or produced. In Australia, almost everything electrical is rated in kW: appliances, air conditioners, solar inverters, EV chargers, generators and electric motors.
What is horsepower (HP)?
Horsepower is an older unit of power devised by James Watt in the 1700s to compare steam engines with draught horses. One mechanical (imperial) horsepower is 550 foot-pounds per second, or 745.7 watts. It's still common on pumps, compressors, engines and equipment made for the US market.
What's the difference between kW and HP?
They measure the same thing, power, on different scales. One horsepower is about three-quarters of a kilowatt (0.7457 kW), so a figure in HP will always be about 34% bigger than the same power in kW. Neither is the same as kWh, which measures energy used over time.
Where are kW and HP commonly used?
| Equipment | Usually rated in |
|---|---|
| Australian / IEC electric motors | kW (often with HP alongside) |
| Pool, bore and irrigation pumps | kW or HP |
| Air compressors and workshop machinery | HP or kW |
| Standby generators | kW / kVA (engine in HP) |
| Cars, boats and small engines | kW (Australia), HP or PS (overseas) |
| Appliances, solar, EV chargers | kW |
Why convert kW to HP when choosing motors and generators?
Electric motor kW to HP conversion comes up whenever specs don't match, for example replacing an imported 10 hp compressor motor with a locally stocked 7.5 kW unit, or comparing a pump quote in HP against a datasheet in kW.
For electrical work, remember that a motor's rating is its mechanical output at the shaft. It draws more electrical power than that because of losses. As a rough example, a 7.5 kW three-phase motor at 400 V with 90% efficiency and a 0.85 power factor draws around 14 A per phase, and several times that while starting.
That running and starting current is what decides cable size, circuit protection, and whether your site needs a three-phase power upgrade. For generator kW to HP conversion, see the FAQ below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert kW to HP?
Multiply the kilowatt value by 1.34102209. For example, 7.5 kW × 1.34102209 = 10.06 hp. The calculator above does this instantly and shows the working.
How many HP is 1 kW?
1 kW equals 1.341 mechanical horsepower (1.34102209 hp to eight decimal places). In metric horsepower, 1 kW is about 1.36 PS.
How many kW is 1 HP?
1 mechanical horsepower equals 0.7457 kW, or 745.7 watts. To convert HP to kW, multiply by 0.745699872. One metric horsepower (PS) is slightly less, at 0.7355 kW.
What is the difference between mechanical horsepower and metric horsepower?
Mechanical (imperial) horsepower, written hp, is 550 foot-pounds per second, or 745.7 W. Metric horsepower, written PS, CV or ch, is 75 kilogram-force metres per second, or 735.5 W. Metric horsepower is about 1.4% smaller, so the same engine shows a slightly higher number in PS. European car and machinery specs often use PS. This calculator uses mechanical horsepower.
Is kW the same as electrical horsepower?
No. A kilowatt is the SI unit of power (1,000 W). Electrical horsepower is a separate unit defined as exactly 746 W, used on some older and US motor nameplates. It's almost identical to mechanical horsepower (745.7 W), so 1 kW is about 1.34 hp either way.
Why is horsepower used to rate electric motors?
Mostly habit and the US market. North American motor standards still rate motors in HP, and many pumps, compressors and pool equipment sold in Australia carry HP ratings. Motors built to IEC standards, which are common in Australia, are rated in kW, often with HP shown as well. Either way the figure is the motor's mechanical output at the shaft, not the electrical power it draws.
Can I use this calculator for generator sizing?
It helps with one step: converting equipment ratings, such as a motor in HP, into kW so you can add them to a load list. Don't size a generator on that number alone. Generators are rated in kVA and kW at a set power factor, motors draw more than their rated output, and motor starting current can be three to seven times the running current.
Use our Generator Load Calculator for a fuller estimate, and have a licensed electrician confirm it before you buy. Our team handles generator installation and electrical connections across Sydney.
Connecting a motor, machine or generator?
Once you know the power rating, the next questions are cable size, protection and whether your supply can carry it. High Demand Electrical is a Level 2 ASP accredited contractor, so we can handle the switchboard, the supply and the network side in one job.
More free electrical tools
Powering Your Needs with Expertise
If you’re looking for a reliable, experienced, and prompt electrician, look no further than High Demand Electrical. We cater to all your electrical needs, from routine maintenance to emergency repairs and complete system installations. Our skilled team is committed to providing professional service that ensures your electrical systems run smoothly. Whether it's a small task or a large project, give us a call today. Let us meet all your electrical demands with the quality and reliability you deserve.
Licensed Level 2 ASP electricians across Sydney. Same-day service and 24/7 emergency response.
and Quick to Respond!
Licence 397193C
ABN 87 051 836 527
