Convert kW to PS
Turn kilowatts into metric horsepower — with live calculation, an interactive power diagram and officially exact values in seconds.
Kilowatt · input
kW
× 1,35962
Horsepower · result
PS
How the calculator works
The interactive power diagram
Move the slider and watch the kilowatt input flow live through the conversion factor into horsepower.
100kW
Input · kilowatts
↔ Drag to adjust
× 1,35962
Factor 1.35962 — exact & lossless
136PS
Result · horsepower
Kilowatt — SI unit of power
Horsepower — historic engine power
Factor 1.35962 — exact & lossless
In three steps
How kW · PS Umrechner works
01
Enter a value
Type the kilowatts of your engine or drag the slider. The reverse direction is one click on the toggle.
02
Apply the factor
The calculator multiplies internally by the precise factor 1.35962. No rounding, no approximation — pure physics.
03
Read the result
The power diagram shows both dials live. You instantly see how much PS is inside your kilowatts.
Quick reference
Conversion table
The most common power values at a glance — from city cars to hypercars.
| Kilowatt | Horsepower | Typical class |
|---|---|---|
| 37 kW | 50 PS | City car |
| 55 kW | 75 PS | Compact |
| 74 kW | 101 PS | Mid-size |
| 100 kW | 136 PS | Upper mid-size |
| 110 kW | 150 PS | Estate / SUV |
| 150 kW | 204 PS | Sports saloon |
| 200 kW | 272 PS | GT / coupé |
| 300 kW | 408 PS | Supercar |
| 368 kW | 500 PS | Hypercar |
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between kW and PS?
Kilowatt (kW) is the official SI unit of power and has been the legally binding figure in vehicle documents since 1978. PS (metric horsepower) is the older, more intuitive unit, originally created to compare engine output with the pulling power of horses. Physically they describe exactly the same power – they differ only in scale, which is why spec sheets and registration papers usually list both values side by side.
How do I convert quickly in my head?
Multiply the kilowatts by 1.36 for an estimate – or simply add about a third of the value – and you have a usable PS figure in seconds without a calculator. To go the other way, subtract roughly a quarter from the PS number. The calculator above gives the precise figures.
Why exactly the factor 1.35962?
One metric horsepower is defined as the power needed to lift 75 kilopond-metres per second, which is exactly 735.49875 watts. Dividing 1000 watts (1 kW) by that value gives the factor 1.35962, so it is not an approximation but follows directly from the physical definition.
Is PS the same as the English “hp”?
Not quite. The PS used across German-speaking countries is metric horsepower at 735.5 watts, while the English “hp” (mechanical horsepower) is slightly larger at 745.7 watts. From that: 1 PS = 0.9863 hp and, the other way round, 1 hp = 1.0139 PS. The roughly 1.4 % gap can add up to a few units on powerful engines; this calculator works entirely in metric PS.
How do I convert kW to hp?
Multiply the kilowatts by 1.35962 – so 100 kW becomes 135.96 PS. For English hp use the factor 1.341 instead (see the PS-vs-hp question). You don’t have to work it out by hand, though: just type the kilowatts into the calculator above.
How do I convert horsepower to kilowatts?
For the reverse direction, multiply the horsepower by 0.73550 – so 200 PS comes to 147.10 kW. The calculator handles this too once you switch it to “PS → kW”.
How much is 1 PS in kW?
Exactly 0.73550 kW – one horsepower is therefore a little less than a full kilowatt. This value is simply the reciprocal of the conversion factor.
How much is 1 kW in PS?
Exactly 1.35962 PS. A city car with 55 kW makes about 75 PS, and a 150 kW vehicle roughly 204 PS – the relationship is linear and scales to any value.
What is the formula for converting kW to PS?
PS = kW × 1.35962, and in the other direction kW = PS × 0.73550. The two factors are reciprocals of each other, so converting back and forth always returns the original value.