Convert Horsepower (electric) (hp(E)) to Kilowatts (kW)
1 horsepower (electric) equals 0.746 kilowatts.
Horsepower (electric) to Kilowatt Converter
What Is Electric Horsepower?
Electric horsepower (hp(E)) is defined as exactly 746 watts (IEEE standard). It is the common unit for rating electric motors, pumps, and compressors in the United States and some international markets.
What Is a Kilowatt?
The kilowatt (kW) equals 1,000 watts. It is the standard SI-derived unit for expressing power in motors, appliances, and electrical systems worldwide.
Electric Horsepower to Kilowatts Formula
The conversion formula is:
kW = hp(E) × 0.746 exact
Since 1 hp(E) = 746 W exactly, dividing by 1,000 gives 0.746 kW.
Worked Example
Convert a 10 hp electric motor to kilowatts:
- Multiply: 10 × 0.746 = 7.46 kW
Quick Estimation
Multiply hp by 0.75 (within 0.5% of exact). Example: 10 hp × 0.75 = 7.5 kW (actual: 7.46 kW). Even simpler: three-quarters of the hp value.
Common Use Cases
- Motor specifications: US-rated hp motors often need kW labels for export markets or IEC compliance. A NEMA 10 hp motor is 7.46 kW, close to the IEC 7.5 kW standard frame size.
- HVAC systems: Compressor ratings are given in hp in the US, but electrical load calculations require kW for panel sizing and energy audits.
- Electric vehicles: Motor output is often shown in both hp and kW. A 300 hp EV motor produces 223.8 kW — important for comparing vehicles across US and European specifications.
- Industrial equipment: Sizing circuit breakers, wiring, and variable frequency drives requires accurate kW values from hp-rated motors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many kilowatts are in 1 horsepower?
1 electric horsepower = 0.746 kW exactly (746 W ÷ 1,000). Common values: 1 hp = 0.746 kW, 5 hp = 3.73 kW, 10 hp = 7.46 kW, 50 hp = 37.3 kW, 100 hp = 74.6 kW.
Is hp the same as kW?
No. Horsepower and kilowatts both measure power but use different scales. 1 hp(E) = 0.746 kW. Multiply hp by 0.746 to convert to kW, or divide kW by 0.746 to get hp.
Why are there different types of horsepower?
Electric hp = 746 W (IEEE standard). Mechanical hp ≈ 745.7 W (Watt's original definition). Metric hp (PS/CV) ≈ 735.5 W (75 kgf·m/s). Always specify which variant when converting. This page uses electric horsepower.
How many hp is a 5 kW motor?
5 kW ÷ 0.746 = 6.70 hp (electric). See our kW to hp converter for any value.
Common Horsepower (electric) to Kilowatt Conversions
| Horsepower (electric) | Kilowatt | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 horsepower (electric) | 0.746 kilowatts | |
| 2 horsepower (electric) | 1.492 kilowatts | |
| 5 horsepower (electric) | 3.73 kilowatts | |
| 10 horsepower (electric) | 7.46 kilowatts |
| Horsepower (electric) | Kilowatt | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 25 horsepower (electric) | 18.65 kilowatts | |
| 50 horsepower (electric) | 37.3 kilowatts | |
| 100 horsepower (electric) | 74.6 kilowatts | |
| 200 horsepower (electric) | 149.2 kilowatts |
Horsepower (electric) to kilowatts Conversion Table
Reference table with common horsepower (electric) to kilowatts conversions. All values calculated with high precision.
Horsepower (electric) to Kilowatts Table
0.001 to 5
Horsepower (electric) to Kilowatts Table
10 to 1000000
Kilowatts to Horsepower (electric) Table
0.0001 to 12
Kilowatts to Horsepower (electric) Table
1 to 100000
Looking for the reverse? Convert Kilowatt to Horsepower (electric)
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