Kilowatt (kW)
Exactly 1000 watts.
What is a kilowatt?
- Symbol
- kW
- Quantity
- Power
- Unit system
- SI
- Definition
- Exactly 1000 watts.
- Exact
- Yes, the value is exact by definition
- Source
- SI Brochure, 9th edition (BIPM, 2019)
Common applications
Used for engine and motor power, heaters, solar panel systems and EV chargers.
Kilowatt in other power units
- 1 kW = 1000000 mWMilliwatt
- 1 kW = 1000 WWatt
- 1 kW = 0.001 MWMegawatt
- 1 kW = 0.000001 GWGigawatt
- 1 kW ≈ 1.34102209 hpKilowatt to Horsepower (mechanical) converter
- 1 kW ≈ 1.359621617 PSKilowatt to Horsepower (metric) converter
- 1 kW ≈ 3412.141633 BTU/hKilowatt to BTU (IT) per hour converter
- 1 kW ≈ 737.5621493 ft·lbf/sFoot-pound-force per second
Kilowatt quick reference
| Kilowatt | Horsepower (mechanical) | Horsepower (metric) | BTU (IT) per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | ≈ 1.34102209 hp | ≈ 1.359621617 PS | ≈ 3412.141633 BTU/h |
| 10 kW | ≈ 13.4102209 hp | ≈ 13.59621617 PS | ≈ 34121.41633 BTU/h |
| 100 kW | ≈ 134.102209 hp | ≈ 135.9621617 PS | ≈ 341214.1633 BTU/h |
| 1000 kW | ≈ 1341.02209 hp | ≈ 1359.621617 PS | ≈ 3412141.633 BTU/h |
Where the kilowatt fits
The next smaller power unit is the horsepower (hp). 1 kW ≈ 1.34102209 hp, and 1 hp = 0.74569987158227022 kW.
The next larger power unit is the megawatt (MW). 1 kW = 0.001 MW, and 1 MW = 1000 kW.
Frequently asked questions
- How many horsepower are in one kilowatt?
- One kilowatt ≈ 1.34102209 hp (horsepower).
- How many metric horsepower are in one kilowatt?
- One kilowatt ≈ 1.359621617 PS (metric horsepower).
- How many BTUs per hour are in one kilowatt?
- One kilowatt ≈ 3412.141633 BTU/h (BTUs per hour).