Power Converter
Convert rates of energy transfer across electrical, mechanical, heating, and cooling labels. The converter uses watts as the common route so horsepower, Btu per hour, kilowatts, megawatts, and work-rate units can be compared directly.
Base unit
watt
Supported units
7
Includes
hp + Btu/h
Live converter
Power conversion inputs
Convert rates of energy transfer across watts, kilowatts, megawatts, mechanical horsepower, Btu per hour, foot-pounds per second, and calories per second.
Converted result
745.699871582 W
Input
1 hp
Output unit
W
Base method
watts
Power in every supported unit
| Unit | Converted value | Unit name | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| W | 745.699871582 | Watts | SI derived unit of power. |
| kW | 0.745699871582 | Kilowatts | 1,000 watts. |
| MW | 0.000745699871582 | Megawatts | 1,000,000 watts. |
| hp | 1 | Mechanical horsepower | Mechanical horsepower. |
| Btu/h | 2,544.43357764 | Btu per hour | Heating and cooling rate. |
| ft lbf/s | 550 | Foot-pounds per second | Mechanical work rate. |
| cal/s | 178.226546745 | Calories per second | Heat-rate unit. |
Base unit
watt
Supported units
7
Includes
hp + Btu/h
Convert equipment power, heat rate, and mechanical output
Electrical ratings
Convert watts, kilowatts, and megawatts for equipment, generator, and utility notes.
Mechanical output
Translate mechanical horsepower and foot-pounds per second into watts.
Heating and cooling
Compare Btu per hour with watt-based power values for HVAC references.
Power conversion formula
The converter normalizes each source value into watts, then divides by the watt factor for the target unit.
Working formulas
Base conversion
watts = value x watts per source unit
Watts provide the common route for electrical, mechanical, and thermal power units.
Target value
target value = watts / watts per target unit
The watt value is scaled into the selected target unit.
Mechanical horsepower
1 hp = 745.6998715822702 W
Mechanical horsepower is distinct from metric horsepower and electrical horsepower.
Symbols
- W - watt
- SI derived unit of power, equal to one joule per second.
- hp - mechanical horsepower
- A common mechanical output rating.
Power rates, horsepower definitions, and energy over time
This live converter translates a rate of energy transfer through watts. It is not an equipment-selection table and it does not turn a power rating into energy use until a duration is supplied separately.
Watts and named rate units
One watt is one joule per second. SI prefix scales are exact, so 1 kW is 1,000 W and 1 MW is 1,000,000 W. Btu/h, ft lbf/s, and cal/s are converted by applying the page's documented energy factor and the stated time denominator.
The hp row specifically means mechanical horsepower at 745.6998715822702 W. Metric and electrical horsepower are different definitions, so an unlabeled horsepower value should be identified before it is copied into a technical comparison.
Worked relationship: 2 kilowatts over three hours
2 kW = 2,000 W; 2 kW x 3 h = 6 kWh
The first equality is a power conversion performed by this page. The second calculation introduces time and therefore produces energy, which belongs in kilowatt-hours rather than kilowatts.
Compare like-for-like ratings
The display keeps up to 12 significant digits for factor checks, but equipment labels often warrant fewer. Preserve whether a value is input power, shaft output, thermal capacity, or another stated rating before comparing two devices.
Copy compound-unit denominators exactly. Btu/h is power while Btu is energy; cal/s is power while cal is energy. The slash and time unit carry essential meaning.
Use this page for rate-to-rate conversion. Use the energy converter when the source already includes elapsed time, such as Wh, kWh, joules, or Btu.
Open the energy converter for accumulated amountsLimits to keep with the result
- No efficiency, duty cycle, power factor, heat loss, or load profile is inferred from a nameplate value.
- Mechanical horsepower is the only horsepower definition in this registry.
- Power alone cannot determine energy use or cost without duration and, for cost, an applicable tariff.
Why watt-based conversion is clearer
Keeps power separate from energy
- Watts measure a rate, while joules and kWh measure energy.
- The table helps compare ratings without accidentally treating kW and kWh as the same thing.
- Mechanical and thermal power labels are normalized through one SI route.
Practical equipment checks
- Horsepower, Btu/h, and kilowatt ratings can be compared in one table.
- The formula block identifies mechanical horsepower specifically.
- Large power ratings remain readable for generators, motors, and building systems.
Useful for electrical and mechanical ratings
Electrical planning
Convert device, generator, and load ratings between W, kW, and MW.
Mechanical work
Compare horsepower and foot-pounds per second with watt-based ratings.
HVAC references
Translate Btu per hour into watts when heating and cooling data meets SI notes.
How it works in three quick steps.
Enter the power rating
Type a value from equipment specs, HVAC notes, electrical ratings, or mechanics examples.
Select source and target units
Choose watts, kilowatts, megawatts, mechanical horsepower, Btu per hour, foot-pounds per second, or calories per second.
Compare the watt table
Use the table to see how electrical, mechanical, and heating/cooling power labels relate.
Save power conversions
Copy labeled results
Copy the selected conversion with source and target unit labels for recipes, vehicle notes, utility comparisons, or homework.
Print the comparison table
Print the full table when repeated conversions need to stay visible at a counter, desk, shop, lab, or classroom.
Keep the method nearby
Use the formula notes to confirm whether the converter used milliliters, km/L, joules, or watts as the base route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between energy and power?
Which horsepower does this converter use?
How do Btu per hour and watts relate?
Can I convert kW to kWh here?
Why use watts as the base unit?
Related practical converters
About this power converter
Power conversions are often confused with energy conversions because labels such as kW and kWh look similar. A watt is a rate of energy transfer, while a kilowatt-hour is an amount of energy accumulated over time. This page keeps those ideas separate by focusing only on power units.
The converter uses watts as the base route for electrical units, mechanical horsepower, foot-pounds per second, calories per second, and Btu per hour. That makes it useful for comparing equipment specifications, motor ratings, generator loads, and HVAC notes without manually rebuilding the factor chain every time.
Who maintains this page
Ownership and review
Written and maintained by the Toolarithm editorial team. No review date is shown without a maintained editorial record. No independent professional review is claimed.
Methodology
Conversion factors are normalized to canonical units and checked in both directions. Exact definitions and offset formulas are preferred over rounded lookup values.
Read the editorial methodologyDates and sources
Review dates change only after a substantive method or content check.
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