Horsepower to Metric Horsepower 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.

Metric horsepower (PS) is a unit of power equal to 75 kilogram-force meters per second, approximately 735.5 watts. It's the metric equivalent of horsepower, used primarily in European automotive and mechanical applications.

Metric horsepower was developed as a metric alternative to the imperial horsepower unit. It became standard in European automotive and mechanical industries, providing a power unit consistent with metric measurements while maintaining familiarity with the horsepower concept.

Metric horsepower is used in European automotive specifications, mechanical equipment ratings, and industrial machinery. It's standard for European car engine ratings, machinery specifications, and mechanical power systems in metric countries.