Power Converter

Convert between different power units including watts, kilowatts, megawatts, horsepower, BTU per hour, and more.

Power Converter

Common Power Converter Formulas

  • 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts
  • 1 horsepower ≈ 745.7 watts
  • 1 BTU/hour ≈ 0.293 watts
  • 1 megawatt = 1,000,000 watts

Common Power Converter References

  • Standard Light Bulb: 60W
  • Human Body Power Output: 75-100W
  • Typical Car Engine: 100-200kW
  • Electric Train: 5-10MW
  • Nuclear Power Plant: 1000MW
  • Sun's Total Power Output: 3.8×10²⁶W

What is Power Conversion?

Power conversion involves converting measurements of energy transfer rate from one unit to another. Power measures how quickly energy is used or produced. Understanding power conversions is essential for electrical engineering, automotive specifications, HVAC systems, and energy efficiency calculations. Our power converter handles everything from milliwatts to megawatts with precision.

Common Power Units Explained

Watt (W)

The SI unit of power, equal to one joule per second. Used for electrical devices, light bulbs, and most power measurements. A typical laptop uses 30-60 watts.

Kilowatt (kW)

Equal to 1,000 watts. Common for household appliances, heating systems, and electric vehicles. Home electrical usage is often measured in kilowatt-hours.

Horsepower (hp)

A traditional unit still used for engines and motors. One mechanical horsepower equals approximately 746 watts. Car engines are typically rated in horsepower.

BTU/hour

British Thermal Units per hour. Common in the US for rating air conditioners and heating systems. One BTU/h equals approximately 0.293 watts.

When to Use This Converter

Our power converter is valuable for engineers designing electrical systems, car enthusiasts comparing engine specifications, homeowners evaluating appliance efficiency, HVAC technicians sizing heating and cooling systems, and anyone working with energy consumption or production measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert horsepower to kilowatts?

Multiply horsepower by 0.746 to get kilowatts. For example, 200 hp ≈ 149 kW.

What is the difference between watts and watt-hours?

Watts measure power (rate of energy use), while watt-hours measure energy (total amount used over time). A 100W bulb running for 10 hours uses 1,000 Wh or 1 kWh.