The metric horsepower
Metric horsepower (PS in German, CV in French and Italian) is defined as exactly 75 kgf·m/s, or 735.49875 W. It is about 1.4% smaller than mechanical (imperial) horsepower, which matters for spec comparisons across markets.
Metric horsepower to Mechanical horsepower Converter
1 PS = 0.98632 hp
1 metric horsepower equals 0.98632 mechanical horsepower. To convert metric horsepower to mechanical horsepower, multiply the metric horsepower value by 0.98632. For quick reference: 1 PS = 0.98632 hp, 5 PS = 4.9316 hp, 10 PS = 9.8632 hp, 100 PS = 98.632 hp.
Formula
Mechanical horsepower = Metric horsepower × 0.98632Quick
How to convert metric horsepower to mechanical horsepower
Take your value
Start with your value in metric horsepower.
Multiply by 0.98632
Multiply the metric horsepower value by 0.98632. This is the exact conversion factor from metric horsepower to mechanical horsepower.
Read the result
The product is your value in mechanical horsepower. For example, 5 PS × 0.98632 = 4.9316 hp.
Conversion formula
The exact factor from metric horsepower to mechanical horsepower is 0.98632.
Mechanical horsepower = Metric horsepower × 0.98632
Metric horsepower to Mechanical horsepower conversion table
Fifty common reference values, hand-picked for skim utility. Use the calculator above for any value not listed.
| Metric horsepower (PS) | Mechanical horsepower (hp) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 PS | 0.098632 hp |
| 0.5 PS | 0.49316 hp |
| 1 PS | 0.98632 hp |
| 2 PS | 1.9726 hp |
| 5 PS | 4.9316 hp |
| 8 PS | 7.8906 hp |
| 10 PS | 9.8632 hp |
| 15 PS | 14.795 hp |
| 20 PS | 19.726 hp |
| 25 PS | 24.658 hp |
| 30 PS | 29.59 hp |
| 40 PS | 39.453 hp |
| 50 PS | 49.316 hp |
| 60 PS | 59.179 hp |
| 75 PS | 73.974 hp |
| 100 PS | 98.632 hp |
| 125 PS | 123.29 hp |
| 150 PS | 147.95 hp |
| 200 PS | 197.26 hp |
| 250 PS | 246.58 hp |
| 300 PS | 295.9 hp |
| 400 PS | 394.53 hp |
| 500 PS | 493.16 hp |
| 600 PS | 591.79 hp |
| 750 PS | 739.74 hp |
| 800 PS | 789.06 hp |
| 1000 PS | 986.32 hp |
| 1200 PS | 1183.6 hp |
| 1500 PS | 1479.5 hp |
| 1800 PS | 1775.4 hp |
| 2000 PS | 1972.6 hp |
| 2500 PS | 2465.8 hp |
| 3000 PS | 2959 hp |
| 5000 PS | 4931.6 hp |
| 7500 PS | 7397.4 hp |
| 10000 PS | 9863.2 hp |
| 15000 PS | 14795 hp |
| 20000 PS | 19726 hp |
| 25000 PS | 24658 hp |
| 50000 PS | 49316 hp |
| 75000 PS | 73974 hp |
| 100000 PS | 98632 hp |
| 200000 PS | 197264 hp |
| 500000 PS | 493160 hp |
| 1000000 PS | 986320 hp |
| 2000000 PS | 1972640 hp |
| 5000000 PS | 4931600 hp |
| 10000000 PS | 9863201 hp |
| 100000000 PS | 98632007 hp |
| 1000000000 PS | 986320071 hp |
Real-world reference
A car listed as 'PS' is using metric horsepower (typical in Europe and Japan). In mechanical horsepower, that gives you: 1 PS = 0.98632 hp, 10 PS = 9.8632 hp, 100 PS = 98.632 hp.
Frequently asked questions
- How many mechanical horsepower are in 1 metric horsepower?
- 1 metric horsepower equals 0.98632 mechanical horsepower.
- How do I convert metric horsepower to mechanical horsepower?
- Multiply the metric horsepower value by 0.98632. So x PS × 0.98632 = the equivalent in hp.
- What is 5 metric horsepower in mechanical horsepower?
- 5 metric horsepower equals 4.9316 mechanical horsepower.
- What is 10 metric horsepower in mechanical horsepower?
- 10 metric horsepower equals 9.8632 mechanical horsepower.
- What is 100 metric horsepower in mechanical horsepower?
- 100 metric horsepower equals 98.632 mechanical horsepower.
- How do I convert back from mechanical horsepower to metric horsepower?
- Multiply the mechanical horsepower value by 1.01387. For example, 1 hp = 1.01387 PS.
- Is the metric horsepower bigger than the mechanical horsepower?
- No. 1 metric horsepower is smaller than 1 mechanical horsepower. It takes 1.01387 metric horsepower to equal 1 mechanical horsepower.
- Are these conversion factors exact?
- Yes. Since the 1959 international yard and pound agreement, imperial/US units are defined exactly in terms of metric units, so the factor used here (0.98632) is exact within IEEE 754 double precision.
About the metric horsepower and the mechanical horsepower
The mechanical horsepower
Mechanical (imperial) horsepower is defined as exactly 550 ft·lbf/s, or approximately 745.7 W. It is the standard 'horsepower' in the US and is the unit most often quoted for American cars and motorcycles.