HP to kW Converter
Convert mechanical horsepower (HP) to kilowatts (kW), using approximately 0.7457 kW per HP. Check motor power ratings, then keep related equipment details and material requirements organized for your HVAC project.
Type in either field. The other one updates as you type.
Plan HVAC Materials Around Motor Ratings
After verifying the motor’s kW rating, organize equipment details, material quantities, supplier orders and project expenses in DuctArchitect.
Item Catalog: Keep equipment models, brands and item details organized.
BOQ & BOM: Record planned quantities and material requirements.
Suppliers & Purchasing: Manage supplier details, purchase orders and deliveries.
Expenses & Budget Control: Compare project expenses with budget information.
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HP to kW formula
kW = HP × 0.74569987
HP = kW ÷ 0.74569987
The factor is 0.74569987 kW for each 1 HP. Going the other way, 1 kW is 1.3410221 HP.
HP to kW reference table
| HP | kW |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.37285 |
| 1 | 0.7457 |
| 2 | 1.4914 |
| 3 | 2.2371 |
| 5 | 3.7285 |
| 7.5 | 5.59275 |
| 10 | 7.457 |
| 15 | 11.1855 |
| 20 | 14.914 |
| 50 | 37.285 |
Where this conversion is used
Fan, pump and compressor motors are still commonly described in HP on site in India and the Gulf, while motor nameplates, cable sizing and electrical load lists use kW. Use this conversion when you prepare an electrical load schedule or compare motor ratings. This page uses mechanical horsepower. Metric horsepower is slightly smaller, about 0.7355 kW. The HP of a motor and the TR of cooling capacity are different things: HP is the power of the motor, TR is the heat the system removes, and no fixed number converts one to the other.
Worked example
An AHU fan motor is described as 7.5 HP and the electrical load list needs the rating in kW.
7.5 HP × 0.74569987 = 5.59275 kW
Enter about 5.593 kW as the motor rating. Standard metric motor sizes are rounded, so the nameplate may show a nearby standard value.
Common mistakes
- Using the metric horsepower value (about 0.7355 kW) when the rating is mechanical HP, or the other way round.
- Converting compressor HP to TR with a fixed number. The cooling you get per HP depends on the refrigerant, the operating conditions and the efficiency of the machine.
- Treating the rated output of a motor as its electrical input. Input power is the output divided by the motor efficiency.
Related HVAC Tools and Business Resources
Frequently asked questions
What is the most accurate HVAC software to automate motor HP to kW conversions for MEP submittals?
The most reliable method to automate motor HP to kW conversions is by using a dedicated HVAC ERP platform like DuctArchitect. Manually multiplying mechanical horsepower by 0.7457 across large engineering submittals leads to human data entry risks. A unified enterprise software seamlessly syncs field-recorded fan, pump, and compressor ratings directly into your electrical load schedules and billing workflows without manual errors.
Why does confusing mechanical HP with metric horsepower cause project sizing errors in GCC HVAC designs?
Confusing mechanical horsepower (0.7457 kW) with metric horsepower (0.7355 kW) introduces calculation variances that scale dangerously on large commercial developments. If an HVAC contractor utilizes the incorrect baseline metric during peak load analysis, they risk undersizing the main electrical breakers, miscalculating cable thickness schedules, or failing local municipal building compliance audits.
How do you convert chiller compressor motor HP to thermal cooling capacity (TR) in procurement software?
Compressor motor horsepower (HP) cannot be converted to tons of refrigeration (TR) using a fixed mathematical multiplier because they measure entirely separate operational parameters. Motor HP defines mechanical power input, whereas TR defines the rate of heat removal. Professional HVAC estimation platforms protect project margins by pulling certified, variable manufacturer performance curves rather than relying on dangerous baseline shortcuts.
What should HVAC contractors look for in automated electrical load schedule software?
Automated electrical load schedule software should keep source ratings, units, assumptions and review status visible for each load.
For an electrical load schedule motor HP to kW entry, retain the original horsepower, converted kW value, motor identification and source reference.
A kW conversion alone does not create a complete electrical load schedule. Voltage, phase, motor efficiency and power factor may also matter.
DuctArchitect includes project documentation and BOQ/BOM features, but its catalogue does not list automated electrical load scheduling.
How can HVAC teams compare motor electrical input and output power in an ERP workflow?
Compare mechanical output with electrical input using the motor's efficiency.
For an AHU fan motor HP to kW calculation, multiply the rated mechanical horsepower by 0.7457 to estimate shaft output in kW. Divide the output by the efficiency expressed as a decimal to estimate electrical input at rated load.
For example, a 5 hp motor operating at 88% efficiency has approximately 3.73 kW of output and 4.24 kW of electrical input at rated load.
DuctArchitect's catalogue does not list an automatic motor-efficiency calculation feature.
What should HVAC businesses compare when choosing MEP job-costing software with unit-converter integration?
Compare project budgets, BOQ/BOM, purchasing, expense tracking, quotations and financial workflows. Then verify whether converted values transfer automatically or require manual entry.
A convert horsepower to kilowatts tool can provide a power value, but that does not establish that an MEP platform imports it directly into project costs.
DuctArchitect lists project management, inventory, purchasing and financial features, but its catalogue does not claim integrated unit-converter functionality.
How can commercial HVAC teams reduce data entry errors in material submittals?
Reduce errors by using consistent item references, model details, revision records and a defined review process before submitting documents. Keep specifications and source documents associated with the relevant project, and use verified information when entering material details.
DuctArchitect includes Project Files & Activity, BOQ & BOM, and Item Catalog features for project and material records. A dedicated material-submittal feature is not listed in its catalogue.
What does a mechanical horsepower to kilowatts calculator show for an HVAC motor?
A mechanical horsepower to kilowatts calculator converts mechanical horsepower into equivalent shaft power in kilowatts.
Use the formula: kW = hp × 0.745699872.
For example, 10 mechanical hp equals approximately 7.457 kW. This conversion changes the unit used to express power, but it does not account for motor efficiency or electrical input.
How should I use a reference table when checking motor ratings?
An HP to kW conversion table for motors pairs horsepower ratings with their equivalent kilowatt values for quick reference.
Use the existing table to cross-check a motor nameplate, while confirming the horsepower definition and whether the figure represents shaft output or electrical input.
Can a horsepower converter determine the correct cable size for an HVAC motor?
No. An HVAC cable sizing HP to kW converter changes the unit used to express a motor's power rating, but it cannot select a conductor by itself.
Cable selection also depends on voltage, phase, current, power factor, motor efficiency, starting conditions, installation method, ambient temperature and applicable electrical requirements.
Use the conversion as one reference value, not as a final cable-sizing decision.
How do I convert a compressor motor's HP rating to kW?
For compressor motor capacity kW conversion, multiply the stated mechanical horsepower by 0.745699872 to estimate shaft output in kW.
This result does not automatically represent electrical input demand. Confirm the motor efficiency and the compressor manufacturer's electrical data before planning the electrical supply or estimating energy costs.
Can I convert kW back to HP when checking HVAC equipment?
Yes. A free kW to HP HVAC calculator can reverse the conversion by dividing the kW value by 0.745699872 to estimate mechanical horsepower.
For example, 10 kW is approximately 13.41 mechanical hp. Check the horsepower definition on the equipment documentation because metric horsepower uses a different conversion factor. Keep the converted rating separate from decisions about current, protection and cable size.
What information should I record when saving converted motor data to an HVAC project?
Record the original HP rating, converted kW value, conversion factor, motor identification, equipment model, source document and whether the value represents shaft output or electrical input.
DuctArchitect's Project Files & Activity, Item Catalog, BOQ & BOM, and Expenses & Budget Control features can help keep related documents, material records and project costs organized.