Convert horsepower (HP) to watts: formula and table
Convert horsepower (CV or HP) to watts for electronics and automotive. Formula, table and examples.
Published on January 24, 2026Converting horsepower to watts is useful for comparing the power of a combustion engine to that of an electric motor, sizing an electrical installation or interpreting an industrial machine technical specification.
Understanding the conversion
1 metric horsepower (CV) equals 735.499 watts. 1 mechanical horsepower (HP) equals 745.7 watts. To convert metric CV to watts, multiply by 735.499.
📐 Formula
Watts = CV (metric) × 735.499
Watts = HP (mechanical) × 745.7
📊 Conversion table
| CV (metric) | Watts (W) | HP (mechanical) | Watts (W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 735.5 | 1 | 745.7 |
| 5 | 3677.5 | 5 | 3728.5 |
| 10 | 7355.0 | 10 | 7457.0 |
| 50 | 36750 | 50 | 37285 |
| 100 | 73550 | 100 | 74570 |
| 150 | 110325 | 150 | 111855 |
| 200 | 147100 | 200 | 149140 |
| 300 | 220650 | 300 | 223710 |
💡 Practical examples
Example 1: 100 CV (standard car)
100 × 735.499 ≈ 73,550 W = 73.55 kW. A 100 CV car develops approximately 73.5 kilowatts.
Example 2: 1 CV (historical reference)
1 × 735.499 = 735.5 W. One metric horsepower equals 735.5 W, nearly three quarters of a kilowatt.
Example 3: 300 CV (powerful car)
300 × 735.499 ≈ 220,650 W = 220.65 kW. A 300 CV car has a power output of 220 kW.