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To convert from Watt (W) to Horsepower (metric) (PS), use the following formula:
Horsepower (metric) (PS)
= 1735.49875× Watt (W)
= 0.0013596216173039043234× Watt (W)
Let's convert 5 Watt (W) to Horsepower (metric) (PS).
Using the formula:
5 × 0.0013596216173039043234 = 0.006798108086519521617
Therefore, 5 Watt (W) is equal to 0.006798108086519521617 Horsepower (metric) (PS).
How many watts are in one horsepower (metric)? One Horsepower (metric) (PS) contains 735.49875 Watts (W) — the inverse of the factor above. Multiplying by 0.0013596216173039043234 takes you from watts to horsepower (metric); multiplying by 735.49875 brings you back.
Put in words: one watt equals 0.0013596216173039043234 horsepower (metric), so the watt is the smaller unit of this pair. Converting between them never changes the amount of power being measured — only the size of the unit you count it in.
A watt (W) is the basic unit of power used to measure the rate of energy transfer.
In simple terms, it tells you how much energy a device uses per second. For example, a 60-watt light bulb uses 60 joules of energy every second.
In electrical systems, the formula is Watts = Volts × Amps.
The unit of power, the watt (W), is named in honor of James Watt, an 18th-century Scottish inventor and engineer.
His groundbreaking improvements to the steam engine were a key part of the Industrial Revolution. Naming the unit after him honors his major contributions to energy science.
Formally, a watt is defined as the rate of energy transfer equal to one joule per second.
In electrical systems, one watt is the power produced when a current of one ampere (A) flows through an electrical potential difference of one volt (V).
This fundamental relationship is a cornerstone of electrical engineering.
The relationship between power (P), voltage (V), and current (I) is expressed by the simple formula:
P = V × I
Where:
Understanding watts helps you see how much energy your common devices consume.
This is essential for comparing the energy efficiency of appliances and understanding your electricity bill. Here are some practical examples:
By checking the wattage on your devices, you can get a better sense of which ones use the most power in your home.
Metric horsepower, often abbreviated as PS, is a common unit used to measure the power of an engine, especially for cars and motorcycles from Europe and Asia.
If you have ever looked at car specifications from a German or Japanese brand, you have likely seen this term.
Defined within the metric system, it is the power needed to lift a 75-kilogram mass one meter vertically in one second.
In more technical terms, one metric horsepower is precisely equal to 735.49875 watts (W). This standard is essential for accurately comparing the power of different engines, particularly when dealing with international vehicle specifications.
The abbreviation "PS" comes from the German word Pferdestärke, which literally translates to "horse strength" or horsepower.
This term originated in 19th-century Germany and quickly became the standard for measuring automotive power across much of Europe and Asia. Its widespread adoption reflects the metric system's dominance in those regions for scientific and industrial measurements.
While they sound almost identical, metric horsepower (PS) is not the same as the mechanical horsepower (hp) commonly used in the United States and the UK.
The key difference lies in their wattage equivalent. This small but important distinction is critical when you want to compare vehicle performance specifications from different markets accurately.
For example, a car advertised with 200 PS has slightly less power than a car advertised with 200 hp.
Here's a simple breakdown of the differences:
| Feature | Metric Horsepower (PS) | Mechanical Horsepower (hp) |
|---|---|---|
| Commonly Used In | Europe, Asia | United States, UK |
| Wattage Equivalent | ~735.5 W | ~745.7 W |
| Relation to Each Other | 1 PS ≈ 0.986 hp | 1 hp ≈ 1.014 PS |
Here are some quick reference conversions from Watt (W) to Horsepower (metric) (PS):
| Watts | Horsepower (metric) |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 W | 1.3596216173039043234× 10-9 PS |
| 0.001 W | 0.0000013596216173039043234 PS |
| 0.1 W | 0.00013596216173039043234 PS |
| 1 W | 0.0013596216173039043234 PS |
| 2 W | 0.0027192432346078086468 PS |
| 3 W | 0.0040788648519117129702 PS |
| 4 W | 0.0054384864692156172936 PS |
| 5 W | 0.006798108086519521617 PS |
| 6 W | 0.0081577297038234259404 PS |
| 7 W | 0.0095173513211273302638 PS |
| 8 W | 0.010876972938431234587 PS |
| 9 W | 0.012236594555735138911 PS |
| 10 W | 0.013596216173039043234 PS |
| 20 W | 0.027192432346078086468 PS |
| 30 W | 0.040788648519117129702 PS |
| 40 W | 0.054384864692156172936 PS |
| 50 W | 0.06798108086519521617 PS |
| 100 W | 0.13596216173039043234 PS |
| 1000 W | 1.3596216173039043234 PS |
| 10000 W | 13.596216173039043234 PS |