Power Converter
Converts power — energy per unit time — between electrical, mechanical and HVAC units. Note that there are two horsepowers in common use, and they differ by about 1.4%.
Share sends a link that reopens these numbers. Copy details pastes the full breakdown as a list.
The formula
result = value × (from factor ÷ to factor)
Each power unit is defined by its size relative to the watt, so converting between any two is a single multiplication.
Every power unit
| Unit | Symbol | In one watt |
|---|---|---|
| watt | W | 1 |
| kilowatt | kW | 0.001 |
| megawatt | MW | 0.000001 |
| horsepower | hp | 0.0013410221 |
| metric horsepower | PS | 0.0013596216 |
| BTU per hour | BTU/h | 3.4121416 |
| ton of refrigeration | TR | 0.00028434514 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many horsepower is 100 kW?
134.1 mechanical horsepower, or 136.0 metric horsepower (PS). European manufacturers usually quote PS, which is why the same engine can be advertised with two different numbers.
What is a ton of refrigeration?
3,516.85 watts — the rate of cooling needed to freeze one short ton of water in 24 hours. Air-conditioning capacity is still sized in tons in North America.
What is the difference between power and energy?
Power is the rate; energy is the total. A 2 kW heater running for 3 hours uses 6 kWh of energy.