The kilowatt
The kilowatt (kW) equals exactly 1,000 watts. It is the unit on EV motor ratings, household solar arrays, and most modern automotive horsepower equivalents outside the US.
Kilowatts to Metric horsepower Converter
1 kW = 1.35962 PS
1 kilowatt equals 1.35962 metric horsepower. To convert kilowatts to metric horsepower, multiply the kilowatt value by 1.35962. For quick reference: 1 kW = 1.35962 PS, 5 kW = 6.79811 PS, 10 kW = 13.5962 PS, 100 kW = 135.962 PS.
Formula
Metric horsepower = Kilowatts × 1.35962Quick
How to convert kilowatts to metric horsepower
Take your value
Start with your value in kilowatts.
Multiply by 1.35962
Multiply the kilowatt value by 1.35962. This is the exact conversion factor from kilowatts to metric horsepower.
Read the result
The product is your value in metric horsepower. For example, 5 kW × 1.35962 = 6.79811 PS.
Conversion formula
The exact factor from kilowatts to metric horsepower is 1.35962.
Metric horsepower = Kilowatts × 1.35962
Kilowatts to Metric horsepower conversion table
Fifty common reference values, hand-picked for skim utility. Use the calculator above for any value not listed.
| Kilowatts (kW) | Metric horsepower (PS) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 kW | 0.13596 PS |
| 0.5 kW | 0.67981 PS |
| 1 kW | 1.3596 PS |
| 2 kW | 2.7192 PS |
| 5 kW | 6.7981 PS |
| 8 kW | 10.877 PS |
| 10 kW | 13.596 PS |
| 15 kW | 20.394 PS |
| 20 kW | 27.192 PS |
| 25 kW | 33.991 PS |
| 30 kW | 40.789 PS |
| 40 kW | 54.385 PS |
| 50 kW | 67.981 PS |
| 60 kW | 81.577 PS |
| 75 kW | 101.97 PS |
| 100 kW | 135.96 PS |
| 125 kW | 169.95 PS |
| 150 kW | 203.94 PS |
| 200 kW | 271.92 PS |
| 250 kW | 339.91 PS |
| 300 kW | 407.89 PS |
| 400 kW | 543.85 PS |
| 500 kW | 679.81 PS |
| 600 kW | 815.77 PS |
| 750 kW | 1019.7 PS |
| 800 kW | 1087.7 PS |
| 1000 kW | 1359.6 PS |
| 1200 kW | 1631.5 PS |
| 1500 kW | 2039.4 PS |
| 1800 kW | 2447.3 PS |
| 2000 kW | 2719.2 PS |
| 2500 kW | 3399.1 PS |
| 3000 kW | 4078.9 PS |
| 5000 kW | 6798.1 PS |
| 7500 kW | 10197 PS |
| 10000 kW | 13596 PS |
| 15000 kW | 20394 PS |
| 20000 kW | 27192 PS |
| 25000 kW | 33991 PS |
| 50000 kW | 67981 PS |
| 75000 kW | 101972 PS |
| 100000 kW | 135962 PS |
| 200000 kW | 271924 PS |
| 500000 kW | 679811 PS |
| 1000000 kW | 1359622 PS |
| 2000000 kW | 2719243 PS |
| 5000000 kW | 6798108 PS |
| 10000000 kW | 13596216 PS |
| 100000000 kW | 135962162 PS |
| 1000000000 kW | 1359621617 PS |
Real-world reference
A modern compact EV motor is around 150 kW. A typical home solar array is 5–10 kW. In metric horsepower, that gives you: 1 kW = 1.35962 PS, 10 kW = 13.5962 PS, 100 kW = 135.962 PS.
Frequently asked questions
- How many metric horsepower are in 1 kilowatt?
- 1 kilowatt equals 1.35962 metric horsepower.
- How do I convert kilowatts to metric horsepower?
- Multiply the kilowatt value by 1.35962. So x kW × 1.35962 = the equivalent in PS.
- What is 5 kilowatts in metric horsepower?
- 5 kilowatts equals 6.79811 metric horsepower.
- What is 10 kilowatts in metric horsepower?
- 10 kilowatts equals 13.5962 metric horsepower.
- What is 100 kilowatts in metric horsepower?
- 100 kilowatts equals 135.962 metric horsepower.
- How do I convert back from metric horsepower to kilowatts?
- Multiply the metric horsepower value by 0.735499. For example, 1 PS = 0.735499 kW.
- Is the kilowatt bigger than the metric horsepower?
- Yes. 1 kilowatt is larger than 1 metric horsepower — specifically 1.35962 times larger.
- Are these conversion factors exact?
- Yes. The factor of 1.35962 is derived directly from the SI definitions of kilowatt and metric horsepower.
About the kilowatt and the metric horsepower
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.