Power Converter
Convert watts, kilowatts, horsepower, BTU/h and more.
About Power Units
Power is the rate of energy transfer, measured in watts (W) in the SI system. One watt = one joule per second. Horsepower (hp) originated from James Watt's comparison of steam-engine output to draft horses; 1 hp ≈ 746 W. BTU/h is used for heating and cooling (HVAC) equipment in the US.
Common Conversions
- 1 kW = 1,000 W
- 1 hp (mechanical) = 745.7 W
- 1 hp (metric) = 735.5 W
- 1 kW = 1.341 hp
- 1 BTU/h = 0.2931 W
- 1 kW = 3,412 BTU/h
Everyday Power Levels
- LED bulb: 5–15 W
- Laptop: 45–100 W
- Microwave: 600–1,200 W
- Electric car motor: 100–300 kW
- Average human at rest: ~80 W
- Large solar panel: ~400 W peak