Horsepower (metric) is a fascinating unit of measurement that dates back to the 18th century, when James Watt, the developer of the steam engine, sought to compare the power output of his engines to that of draft horses. The metric horsepower is defined as the amount of power required to lift a 75-kilogram mass one meter vertically in one second, which is equivalent to 735.5 watts. Interestingly, this unit persists in many regions, particularly in the automotive industry, where it is used to convey the strength of vehicle engines. Despite advancements in engine technology, the image of raw horsepower continues to captivate our imagination, embodying both history and precision engineering.
Horsepower is a unit of power that originated in the 18th century, coined by engineer James Watt to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses. A fascinating aspect is the value assigned to this measurement: 1 British horsepower equals approximately 745.7 watts. To put this into perspective, this means that just one horsepower can light up more than ten 60-watt light bulbs!
Interestingly, the unit became widely adopted not for its precision but as a marketing tool. Since people were familiar with the strength of horses in everyday tasks, comparing engine power to horses made industrial power even more relatable and understandable during the Industrial Revolution. Today, horsepower continues to be an essential metric in the automotive and engine industries worldwide, despite its equine origins.
| Horsepower (metric) | Horsepower (British) |
|---|---|
0
PS
|
0
hp
|
10
PS
|
9.8632
hp
|
20
PS
|
19.7264
hp
|
30
PS
|
29.5896
hp
|
40
PS
|
39.4528
hp
|
50
PS
|
49.316
hp
|
60
PS
|
59.1792
hp
|
70
PS
|
69.0424
hp
|
80
PS
|
78.90561
hp
|
90
PS
|
88.76881
hp
|
100
PS
|
98.63201
hp
|
110
PS
|
108.49521
hp
|
120
PS
|
118.35841
hp
|
130
PS
|
128.22161
hp
|
140
PS
|
138.08481
hp
|
150
PS
|
147.94801
hp
|
160
PS
|
157.81121
hp
|
170
PS
|
167.67441
hp
|
180
PS
|
177.53761
hp
|
190
PS
|
187.40081
hp
|
200
PS
|
197.26401
hp
|
210
PS
|
207.12721
hp
|
220
PS
|
216.99042
hp
|
230
PS
|
226.85362
hp
|
240
PS
|
236.71682
hp
|
250
PS
|
246.58002
hp
|
260
PS
|
256.44322
hp
|
270
PS
|
266.30642
hp
|
280
PS
|
276.16962
hp
|
290
PS
|
286.03282
hp
|
300
PS
|
295.89602
hp
|
310
PS
|
305.75922
hp
|
320
PS
|
315.62242
hp
|
330
PS
|
325.48562
hp
|
340
PS
|
335.34882
hp
|
350
PS
|
345.21202
hp
|
360
PS
|
355.07523
hp
|
370
PS
|
364.93843
hp
|
380
PS
|
374.80163
hp
|
390
PS
|
384.66483
hp
|
400
PS
|
394.52803
hp
|
410
PS
|
404.39123
hp
|
420
PS
|
414.25443
hp
|
430
PS
|
424.11763
hp
|
440
PS
|
433.98083
hp
|
450
PS
|
443.84403
hp
|
460
PS
|
453.70723
hp
|
470
PS
|
463.57043
hp
|
480
PS
|
473.43363
hp
|
490
PS
|
483.29683
hp
|
500
PS
|
493.16004
hp
|
510
PS
|
503.02324
hp
|
520
PS
|
512.88644
hp
|
530
PS
|
522.74964
hp
|
540
PS
|
532.61284
hp
|
550
PS
|
542.47604
hp
|
560
PS
|
552.33924
hp
|
570
PS
|
562.20244
hp
|
580
PS
|
572.06564
hp
|
590
PS
|
581.92884
hp
|
600
PS
|
591.79204
hp
|
610
PS
|
601.65524
hp
|
620
PS
|
611.51844
hp
|
630
PS
|
621.38164
hp
|
640
PS
|
631.24484
hp
|
650
PS
|
641.10805
hp
|
660
PS
|
650.97125
hp
|
670
PS
|
660.83445
hp
|
680
PS
|
670.69765
hp
|
690
PS
|
680.56085
hp
|
700
PS
|
690.42405
hp
|
710
PS
|
700.28725
hp
|
720
PS
|
710.15045
hp
|
730
PS
|
720.01365
hp
|
740
PS
|
729.87685
hp
|
750
PS
|
739.74005
hp
|
760
PS
|
749.60325
hp
|
770
PS
|
759.46645
hp
|
780
PS
|
769.32965
hp
|
790
PS
|
779.19286
hp
|
800
PS
|
789.05606
hp
|
810
PS
|
798.91926
hp
|
820
PS
|
808.78246
hp
|
830
PS
|
818.64566
hp
|
840
PS
|
828.50886
hp
|
850
PS
|
838.37206
hp
|
860
PS
|
848.23526
hp
|
870
PS
|
858.09846
hp
|
880
PS
|
867.96166
hp
|
890
PS
|
877.82486
hp
|
900
PS
|
887.68806
hp
|
910
PS
|
897.55126
hp
|
920
PS
|
907.41446
hp
|
930
PS
|
917.27767
hp
|
940
PS
|
927.14087
hp
|
950
PS
|
937.00407
hp
|
960
PS
|
946.86727
hp
|
970
PS
|
956.73047
hp
|
980
PS
|
966.59367
hp
|
990
PS
|
976.45687
hp
|
1000
PS
|
986.32007
hp
|
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