Convert Kilowatts to Metric Horsepower
Kilowatts to metric horsepower (PS) is the conversion you need when a kilowatt rating meets a European spec sheet, where engine power is quoted in metric horsepower rather than the imperial kind. One kilowatt is approximately 1.3596216173039044 metric horsepower, so the PS number always comes out larger.
Kilowatts to Metric horsepower (PS) conversion table
| Kilowatts (kW) | Metric horsepower (PS) (PS) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.359622 |
| 2 | 2.719243 |
| 3 | 4.078865 |
| 5 | 6.798108 |
| 10 | 13.596216 |
| 20 | 27.192432 |
| 50 | 67.981081 |
| 100 | 135.962162 |
| 500 | 679.810809 |
| 1,000 | 1,359.621617 |
The formula
To convert kilowatts to metric horsepower, multiply the number of kilowatts by 1.359622 (approximately):
metric horsepower = kilowatts × 1.359622
A worked example
Say a European car is rated at 100 kW and you want its output in metric horsepower:
100 × 1.359622 = 135.96216 PS
So a 100-kilowatt motor is about 136 metric horsepower.
Why it's an approximation
The factor 1.359622 is a rounded value. One metric horsepower is defined as about 735.5 watts, and a kilowatt is 1000 watts, so a kilowatt works out to roughly 1.3596216173039044 metric horsepower. Because the underlying watt and horsepower figures don't divide evenly, the factor is rounded and the result stays approximate.
A note on two horsepowers
There are two different "horsepower" units in common use, and they're about 1.4% apart. This page uses metric horsepower (PS), worth about 735.5 watts, which is what many European spec sheets mean. The other is mechanical horsepower (hp), about 745.7 watts, the imperial unit US and UK car specs quote. Since PS reads a little higher than hp for the same power, check which one a rating uses before you compare numbers.
When you'll use it
Reading European engine and motor specs quoted in PS, converting a kilowatt rating into the metric horsepower used across Europe, and telling PS figures apart from the mechanical horsepower on US spec sheets.
Frequently asked questions
How many metric horsepower are in a kilowatt?
About 1.359622 metric horsepower (PS). It's a rounded figure — the exact value runs on past many decimal places, so 1.359622 is the practical number to use.
What's the difference between metric horsepower (PS) and horsepower (hp)?
They're two different units about 1.4% apart. Metric horsepower (PS) is about 735.5 watts and is what European spec sheets usually mean. Mechanical horsepower (hp) is about 745.7 watts, the imperial unit US and UK car specs quote. Make sure you know which one a rating uses.
Is the kilowatts to metric horsepower conversion exact?
No. A metric horsepower and a watt don't divide evenly, so the factor 1.359622 is rounded for everyday use. More decimal places give you more precision if you need it.