Watts (W) to Metric horsepower (PS) Conversion
Watts
The watt (W) is the SI derived unit of power, defined as one joule per second (J/s = kg·m²·s⁻³), representing the rate of energy transfer or conversion. Named after Scottish engineer James Watt, whose steam engine improvements launched the Industrial Revolution, the watt is the coherent unit for all forms of power — mechanical, electrical, thermal, and acoustic. A human at rest produces about 80 W of thermal power; a professional cyclist sustains approximately 400 W during a race; a lightning bolt peaks at around 10¹² W for microseconds.
Metric horsepower
Metric horsepower (PS, from German Pferdestärke; CV in French, Spanish, and Portuguese) is a unit of power equal to exactly 735.49875 watts — approximately 1.4% less than the US mechanical horsepower (745.7 W). It is the standard for vehicle engine power ratings in continental Europe, and appears in EU type approval certificates. A car rated at 200 PS produces 147.1 kW, while a car rated at 200 US hp produces 149.1 kW — a distinction that matters in precise international performance comparisons.
| Watts (W) | Metric horsepower (PS) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 W | 0.000136 PS |
| 1 W | 0.00136 PS |
| 2 W | 0.00272 PS |
| 3 W | 0.00408 PS |
| 5 W | 0.0068 PS |
| 10 W | 0.0136 PS |
| 20 W | 0.0272 PS |
| 30 W | 0.0408 PS |
| 50 W | 0.068 PS |
| 100 W | 0.136 PS |
| 1000 W | 1.3596 PS |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many metric horsepower are in 1 watts?
1 watts (W) is exactly 0.00136 metric horsepower (PS).
How do I convert watts to metric horsepower?
Multiply the value in watts by 0.00136 to get the result in metric horsepower. Or use the converter above — type any number and see the result instantly.