Horsepower to Watt Converter
Converts horsepower to watt (hp to W) and back. The conversion factor is shown below every result.
How to Convert Horsepower to Watt
What Is a Horsepower?
The mechanical horsepower (hp) is defined as exactly 550 foot-pounds-force per second.
What Is a Watt?
The watt (W) is the SI unit of power, equal to one joule per second.
Common Horsepower to Watt Reference Points
Real-world reference values for quick sanity checks.
| Item | Horsepower (hp) | Watt (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| A typical shop vacuum motor | 1.5 hp | 1,118.55 W |
| A small electric motor | 0.5 hp | 372.85 W |
| Reference values are illustrative approximations for common items, not measured specifications. | ||
Horsepower to Watt Conversion Table
| Horsepower (hp) | Watt (W) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 hp | 186.424968 W |
| 0.5 hp | 372.849936 W |
| 1 hp | 745.699872 W |
| 1.5 hp | 1118.549807 W |
| 2 hp | 1491.399743 W |
| 5 hp | 3728.499358 W |
| 10 hp | 7456.998716 W |
| 25 hp | 18642.49679 W |
| Source: NIST SP 811, Appendix B (1 hp = 745.69987158227022 W exactly) | |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert horsepower to watts?
Multiply the horsepower value by 745.6998715823. For example, 2 hp × 745.6998715823 = 1,491.4 W.
How many watts does a 1 hp motor actually draw from the wall?
A 1 hp motor's mechanical output is 745.7 W, but its electrical input is higher because no motor is 100% efficient; a typical motor might draw 900 to 1,000 W or more to deliver 745.7 W of shaft power, depending on its efficiency rating.
Is electrical horsepower the same as mechanical horsepower?
No, though they're close. Electrical horsepower is defined as exactly 746 W, a round number chosen by convention, while mechanical horsepower is 745.69987158227022 W. This page uses mechanical horsepower.
Related Power Converters
A good measuring tool marked in both hp and W removes the guesswork at the point of use.