Need to convert power from one unit to another? Our free Power Converter makes it quick and easy. Enter a power value, choose the unit you are converting from and the unit you want, and get the converted result instantly. It supports common units such as watts, kilowatts, megawatts, horsepower, and BTU per hour. It is useful for electrical appliances, motors, engineering, electricity, solar systems, generators, and everyday calculations.
What Is Power?
Power is the rate at which energy is transferred or used. In simple terms, it tells us how quickly energy is being used or produced.
The standard unit of power is the watt (W). A higher power rating generally means that energy is being transferred or used at a faster rate.
For example, a 100-watt light bulb uses energy at a rate of 100 watts while it is operating.
Common Power Units
Watt (W)
The watt is the standard unit of power in the International System of Units (SI).
1 watt = 1 joule per second
Watts are commonly used for electrical appliances, lights, chargers, and electronic devices.
Kilowatt (kW)
One kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts.
1 kW = 1,000 W
Kilowatts are commonly used for larger appliances, air conditioners, motors, generators, and electrical systems.
Megawatt (MW)
One megawatt equals 1,000,000 watts.
1 MW = 1,000 kW
Megawatts are often used when describing the output of power plants, large generators, and renewable energy systems.
Gigawatt (GW)
One gigawatt equals 1,000,000,000 watts.
1 GW = 1,000 MW
Gigawatts are generally used for very large power systems and electricity generation capacity.
Horsepower (hp)
Horsepower is a unit commonly used for engines and motors. This converter uses mechanical horsepower, where:
1 hp ≈ 745.7 W
Horsepower is frequently used for cars, motorcycles, pumps, motors, and other mechanical equipment.
BTU per Hour (BTU/h)
BTU per hour is a unit of power commonly used for heating and cooling equipment.
For example, air conditioner and furnace capacities are often expressed in BTU/h.
1 BTU/h ≈ 0.293071 W
How to Use the Power Converter
- Enter the power value.
- Select the unit you are converting from.
- Select the unit you want to convert to.
- Click Convert.
- The converted value will appear instantly.
You can enter whole numbers, decimal values, and numbers with commas.
Common Power Conversions
Here are some useful power relationships:
- 1 W = 1,000 mW
- 1 kW = 1,000 W
- 1 MW = 1,000 kW
- 1 GW = 1,000 MW
- 1 mechanical hp ≈ 745.7 W
- 1 kW ≈ 1.341 hp
- 1 BTU/h ≈ 0.293071 W
For example, 2 kW is equal to 2,000 W.
Where Is Power Used?
Power measurements are used in many everyday and technical situations.
- Electrical appliances: Power ratings are commonly shown in watts or kilowatts.
- Motors and engines: Power may be listed in watts, kilowatts, or horsepower.
- Air conditioners: Cooling equipment is often rated in BTU/h.
- Solar systems: Solar panel and inverter capacity is commonly expressed in watts or kilowatts.
- Generators: Generator output is often given in watts or kilowatts.
- Engineering: Power is used to describe the output or consumption of machines and systems.
Power vs. Energy
Power and energy are related, but they are not the same thing.
Power describes how quickly energy is being used or transferred and is measured in watts.
Energy describes the amount of energy used or transferred and can be measured in joules or kilowatt-hours.
For example, a 1,000-watt appliance has a power rating of 1 kW. If it operates for one hour, it uses 1 kilowatt-hour of energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many watts are in 1 kilowatt?
1 kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts.
How many watts are in 1 megawatt?
1 megawatt is equal to 1,000,000 watts.
How many watts are in 1 horsepower?
One mechanical horsepower is approximately equal to 745.7 watts.
What is the difference between watts and kilowatts?
A kilowatt is simply a larger unit of power. One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts.
Can I enter decimal values?
Yes. The converter accepts decimal values such as 2.5, 10.75, and 0.25.
Is horsepower the same as kilowatts?
Both measure power, but they use different units. One mechanical horsepower is approximately 0.7457 kilowatts.
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