kW to HP (and PS)
Type the power and pick the unit: kilowatts, horsepower and metric horsepower convert instantly. Handy for comparing car spec sheets, EVs and imported vehicles.
Enter a value to see the conversion.
HP and PS are not the same thing
The horsepower used in the US and UK (mechanical HP) equals 745.7 watts, while metric horsepower (PS, from the German "Pferdestärke", also written CV in southern Europe) equals 735.5 watts — a difference of about 1.4%. That's why a European car advertised at 200 PS delivers about 197 HP on an American spec sheet. To go from kilowatts to horsepower, just multiply by 1.34 (or by 1.36 for PS). Some familiar examples: a Honda Civic makes about 158 hp (118 kW), a Ford Mustang GT about 486 hp (362 kW), and a Ferrari 296 GTB 819 hp (610 kW).
Why kilowatts keep showing up on car specs
Electric vehicles have made kW mainstream: motor output, charging speed and battery figures are all quoted in kilowatts, so a quick kW-to-HP conversion helps you compare an EV with a gas car at a glance. Kilowatts are also the official unit on European registration documents, and in several countries insurance premiums and license restrictions for new drivers are based on the kW figure. This converter is for guidance only — for legal or insurance purposes, always rely on the value printed on the vehicle's official documents.