Kilowatts to Horsepower Calculator
Enter kilowatts to convert to horsepower instantly. Uses the mechanical (imperial) HP standard: 1 kW = 1.341 HP.
How do you convert kilowatts to horsepower?
Divide kW by 0.7457 to get mechanical HP: HP = kW ÷ 0.7457. A 7.5 kW motor equals 7.5 ÷ 0.7457 = 10.06 HP. This is the reverse of the HP to kW conversion and is commonly used when comparing IEC-rated motors (kW) to NEMA-rated motors (HP).
kW to HP Conversion Table
| Kilowatts (kW) | Mechanical HP | Closest NEMA Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 0.37 kW | 0.50 HP | 0.5 HP |
| 0.75 kW | 1.01 HP | 1 HP |
| 1.5 kW | 2.01 HP | 2 HP |
| 2.2 kW | 2.95 HP | 3 HP |
| 3.7 kW | 4.96 HP | 5 HP |
| 5.5 kW | 7.38 HP | 7.5 HP |
| 7.5 kW | 10.06 HP | 10 HP |
| 11 kW | 14.75 HP | 15 HP |
| 15 kW | 20.12 HP | 20 HP |
| 22 kW | 29.51 HP | 30 HP |
| 37 kW | 49.64 HP | 50 HP |
Formula
Where: HP = mechanical (imperial) horsepower, kW = kilowatts, 0.7457 = conversion factor (1 HP = 745.7 W = 0.7457 kW).
Horsepower types compared: Mechanical HP = 745.7 W (motors, most uses). Electrical HP = 746.0 W (US NEC nameplate). Metric HP (PS/CV) = 735.5 W (European vehicle engines). Boiler HP = 9,810.6 W (steam systems — unrelated to motor sizing).
Frequently Asked Questions
1 kW equals approximately 1.341 mechanical horsepower (1 ÷ 0.7457 = 1.3410). This is the standard conversion for electric motors.
11 kW ÷ 0.7457 ≈ 14.75 HP. The nearest standard NEMA frame is 15 HP. IEC motors are typically specified in kW while NEMA motors use HP, making this conversion essential when sourcing replacements across standards.
Mechanical HP = 745.7 W; electrical HP = 746 W exactly. The difference is 0.04 % — negligible for practical use. For motor sizing, both are equivalent; use whichever your reference table specifies.
Multiply HP by 0.7457: kW = HP × 0.7457. Use the HP to kW calculator for the forward conversion.