Watts to HP Converter

watt 

horsepower(metric)

Please type in the watt (W) value to get the result in horsepower or type in the horsepower value to get the result in a watt value. There are a few different ways to calculate horsepower. This watt/horsepower calculator gives the results in metric horsepower standard that is in use in continental Europe and in Asia.

In the United States instead of metric horsepower, mechanical horsepower is in use. Mechanical horsepower is calculated using pounds and feet and that's why there is a slight difference in the watt value between mechanical and metric horsepower.

In England and in Canada both metric and mechanical horsepower is in use. The same thing applies with Africa and Latin America.

Metric horsepower is approximately 735.5 watts
Mechanical horsepower (or imperial horsepower) is approximately 745.7 watts

Watt

The watt (W) is the unit of power in the International System of Units (SI), representing 1 joule per second or 1 kg⋅m²⋅s⁻³. Named after James Watt, it measures the rate of energy transfer and played a key role in the Industrial Revolution.

Overview

When maintaining an object's velocity at 1 meter per second against a 1-newton opposing force, the work rate is 1 watt.

1 W = 1 J/s = 1 N⋅m/s = 1 kg⋅m²⋅s⁻³.

In electromagnetism, 1 watt equals the rate of electrical work with 1 ampere flowing across a potential difference of 1 volt.

1 W=1 V⋅1 A.

Origin and Adoption as an SI Unit

Named by C. William Siemens in 1882, the watt was internationally defined in 1908. Initially tied to practical units, it was later redefined in 1948 and fully adopted into the SI in 1960.

Multiples

Examples of multiples include kilowatts, megawatts, gigawatts, terawatts, petawatts, and yottawatts, each representing varying power scales.

Conventions in the Electric Power Industry

In the electric power industry, distinctions are made between electrical and thermal power. Megawatt electrical (MWe) refers to electric power, while megawatt thermal (MWt) refers to thermal power. The SI prefix system is used for larger units, like gigawatt electrical (GWe).

Radio Transmission

Radio stations report transmitter power in watts, specifically effective radiated power, representing the power needed for a half-wave dipole antenna to match the intensity of the transmitter's main lobe.

Distinction between Watts and Watt-hours

Power and energy are related but distinct. Power (watts) is the rate of energy generation or consumption, while energy is measured in watt-hours. For instance, a 100W light bulb used for an hour consumes 100 watt-hours.