Horsepower to Kilowatt Converter

Horsepower (hp) is a unit of power originally defined as the power needed to lift 550 pounds one foot in one second, approximately equal to 746 watts. It was created to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses.

Horsepower was defined by James Watt around 1782 to market his steam engines by comparing their output to the familiar power of horses. It became the standard unit for mechanical power in English-speaking countries and remains widely used despite the adoption of SI units.

Horsepower is extensively used in automotive engines, mechanical equipment, and motor specifications. It's standard for car engine ratings, industrial machinery, pumps, and mechanical power transmission systems, particularly in the United States.

A kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power equal to one thousand watts (10³ W). It's one of the most commonly used power units, representing the power consumption of household appliances and small to medium electrical equipment.

The kilowatt became widely recognized with the expansion of electrical power to homes and businesses in the early 20th century. It provided a practical scale for household electricity consumption and became the standard unit for electrical billing and appliance ratings.

Kilowatts are universally used for household appliance ratings, small motor specifications, residential solar installations, and electricity billing. They're standard for home electrical consumption, appliance energy labels, and small-scale power systems.