Metric Horsepower to Foot-pound per Second Converter

Convert PS to ft⋅lb/s with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 Metric Horsepower = 542.476039 ft⋅lb/s

Formula: Metric Horsepower × conversion factor = Foot-pound per Second

Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.

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All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.

Last verified: February 2026Reviewed by: Sam Mathew, Software Engineer

Metric Horsepower to Foot-pound per Second Calculator

How to Use the Metric Horsepower to Foot-pound per Second Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Metric Horsepower).
  2. The converted value in Foot-pound per Second will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Power category.
  4. Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
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How to Convert Metric Horsepower to Foot-pound per Second: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting Metric Horsepower to Foot-pound per Second involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

ft⋅lb/s = PS × 542.476

Example Calculation:

1 PS = 542.476039 ft⋅lb/s

Disclaimer: For Reference Only

These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.

Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.

What is a Metric Horsepower and a Foot-pound per Second?

1 PS = 735.5 W = 0.7355 kW = 0.9863 hp (mechanical) = 75 kgf⋅m/s = 2,510 BTU/h

Names by region:

  • PS (Pferdestärke) - German
  • CV (Chevaux Vapeur) - French
  • pk (paardenkracht) - Dutch
  • hk (hästkraft) - Swedish
  • LE (Leistungseinheit) - Older German

All equal exactly 735.5 watts.

1 ft⋅lbf/s = 1.356 W = 0.001356 kW = 0.001818 hp = 4.627 BTU/h

Horsepower relationship: 550 ft⋅lbf/s = 1 hp (745.7 W) exactly

Note: The Metric Horsepower is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Foot-pound per Second belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

Common Uses and Applications: PS vs ft⋅lb/s

Explore the typical applications for both Metric Horsepower (imperial/US) and Foot-pound per Second (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for PS

Automotive: Engine power ratings in Europe, Asia (100-500 PS typical). Motorcycles: Engine power specifications (15-200 PS). Industrial: European motors, pumps, machinery (kW now more common). Marine: European boat engines, outboards (5-500 PS).

When to Use ft⋅lb/s

Physics Education: Teaching power concepts, mechanical work problems. Classical Mechanics: Textbook problems, engineering fundamentals. Historical: Steam engine era calculations (now use hp or kW). Rarely Practical: Most real applications use hp, kW, or watts.

Additional Unit Information

About Metric Horsepower (PS)

How do I convert PS to horsepower (hp)?

Formula: hp = PS × 0.9863 (or PS ÷ 1.014)

Examples:

  • 100 PS = 98.6 hp
  • 150 PS = 148 hp
  • 200 PS = 197 hp
  • 300 PS = 296 hp

Reverse: hp × 1.014 = PS

PS to HP converter →

How do I convert PS to kilowatts?

Formula: kW = PS × 0.7355 (or PS ÷ 1.36)

Examples:

  • 75 PS = 55.2 kW
  • 100 PS = 73.6 kW
  • 150 PS = 110.3 kW
  • 200 PS = 147.1 kW

Quick approximation: Divide PS by 1.36 to get kW

PS to kW converter →

What is the difference between PS and hp?

Metric HP (PS): 735.5 W (75 kgf⋅m/s, Europe/Asia) Mechanical HP (hp): 745.7 W (550 ft⋅lb/s, US/UK)

Difference: PS is 1.4% less than hp

Conversion: 1 PS = 0.9863 hp, 1 hp = 1.014 PS

Example:

  • BMW 330i: 258 PS = 254 hp = 190 kW
  • Ford Mustang: 450 hp = 456 PS = 336 kW

Modern trend: Manufacturers increasingly list all three (PS, hp, kW)

Why does Europe use PS instead of hp?

Historical: Metric system adoption in Continental Europe

Definition basis:

  • PS based on metric units (75 kg lifted 1 m in 1 s)
  • hp based on imperial units (550 lb lifted 1 ft in 1 s)

Current practice:

  • Official: kW is legal unit (EU regulations)
  • Marketing: PS still widely used in car advertising
  • Dual listing: Most specs show "kW (PS)" format

Example spec: "110 kW (150 PS)" on European car brochures

How do I compare engine specs in different units?

Three common formats:

  1. US/Canada: hp (horsepower mechanical)
  2. Europe/Asia: PS (metric horsepower)
  3. International: kW (kilowatts)

Quick comparison table:

| hp | PS | kW | |-----|-----|-----| | 100 | 101 | 75 | | 150 | 152 | 112 | | 200 | 203 | 149 | | 300 | 304 | 224 |

Conversion shortcuts:

  • hp ≈ PS (within 1-2%)
  • kW × 1.36 ≈ PS
  • hp × 0.746 ≈ kW

Example: Car rated at 184 PS = 181 hp = 135 kW (all same power)

About Foot-pound per Second (ft⋅lb/s)

How do I convert ft⋅lbf/s to horsepower?

Formula: hp = ft⋅lbf/s ÷ 550

Examples:

  • 550 ft⋅lbf/s = 1 hp (exact definition)
  • 1,100 ft⋅lbf/s = 2 hp
  • 275 ft⋅lbf/s = 0.5 hp
  • 5,500 ft⋅lbf/s = 10 hp

ft⋅lbf/s to HP converter →

How do I convert ft⋅lbf/s to watts?

Formula: W = ft⋅lbf/s × 1.356

Examples:

  • 100 ft⋅lbf/s = 135.6 W
  • 550 ft⋅lbf/s = 746 W (1 hp)
  • 1,000 ft⋅lbf/s = 1,356 W = 1.356 kW

ft⋅lbf/s to Watts converter →

Why is 1 hp = 550 ft⋅lbf/s?

Historical origin: James Watt (1780s) measured draft horses' work capacity

Experiment: Horse lifting coal from mine

  • Typical horse: Lifted ~22,000 lb⋅ft per minute
  • Watt's marketing: Rated engines at 33,000 lb⋅ft/min (50% safety margin)
  • Conversion: 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min ÷ 60 = 550 ft⋅lbf/s = 1 hp

Modern equivalent: 1 hp = 745.7 W = 0.746 kW

Persists: Still used for engines despite metric system adoption.

How do I calculate power from force and velocity?

Formula: Power (ft⋅lbf/s) = Force (lbf) × Velocity (ft/s)

Examples:

  • Towing 1,000 lb at 10 ft/s: 10,000 ft⋅lbf/s = 18.2 hp = 13.6 kW
  • Lifting 500 lb at 2 ft/s: 1,000 ft⋅lbf/s = 1.82 hp = 1.36 kW
  • Pushing 200 lb at 5 ft/s: 1,000 ft⋅lbf/s = 1.82 hp

SI equivalent: Power (W) = Force (N) × Velocity (m/s)

Conversion Table: Metric Horsepower to Foot-pound per Second

Metric Horsepower (PS)Foot-pound per Second (ft⋅lb/s)
0.5271.238
1542.476
1.5813.714
21,084.952
52,712.38
105,424.76
2513,561.901
5027,123.802
10054,247.604
250135,619.01
500271,238.019
1,000542,476.039

People Also Ask

How do I convert Metric Horsepower to Foot-pound per Second?

To convert Metric Horsepower to Foot-pound per Second, enter the value in Metric Horsepower in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our power converter page to convert between other units in this category.

Learn more →

What is the conversion factor from Metric Horsepower to Foot-pound per Second?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Metric Horsepower and Foot-pound per Second. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.

Can I convert Foot-pound per Second back to Metric Horsepower?

Yes! You can easily convert Foot-pound per Second back to Metric Horsepower by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Foot-pound per Second to Metric Horsepower converter page. You can also explore other power conversions on our category page.

Learn more →

What are common uses for Metric Horsepower and Foot-pound per Second?

Metric Horsepower and Foot-pound per Second are both standard units used in power measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our power converter for more conversion options.

For more power conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.

All Power Conversions

Watt to MilliwattWatt to KilowattWatt to MegawattWatt to GigawattWatt to HorsepowerWatt to Metric HorsepowerWatt to Electric HorsepowerWatt to BTU per HourWatt to BTU per MinuteWatt to BTU per SecondWatt to Foot-pound per SecondWatt to Foot-pound per MinuteWatt to Calorie per SecondWatt to Kilocalorie per HourWatt to Ton of RefrigerationWatt to Erg per SecondWatt to Joule per SecondMilliwatt to WattMilliwatt to KilowattMilliwatt to MegawattMilliwatt to GigawattMilliwatt to HorsepowerMilliwatt to Metric HorsepowerMilliwatt to Electric HorsepowerMilliwatt to BTU per HourMilliwatt to BTU per MinuteMilliwatt to BTU per SecondMilliwatt to Foot-pound per SecondMilliwatt to Foot-pound per MinuteMilliwatt to Calorie per SecondMilliwatt to Kilocalorie per HourMilliwatt to Ton of RefrigerationMilliwatt to Erg per SecondMilliwatt to Joule per SecondKilowatt to WattKilowatt to MilliwattKilowatt to MegawattKilowatt to GigawattKilowatt to HorsepowerKilowatt to Metric HorsepowerKilowatt to Electric HorsepowerKilowatt to BTU per HourKilowatt to BTU per MinuteKilowatt to BTU per SecondKilowatt to Foot-pound per SecondKilowatt to Foot-pound per MinuteKilowatt to Calorie per SecondKilowatt to Kilocalorie per HourKilowatt to Ton of RefrigerationKilowatt to Erg per SecondKilowatt to Joule per SecondMegawatt to WattMegawatt to MilliwattMegawatt to KilowattMegawatt to GigawattMegawatt to HorsepowerMegawatt to Metric HorsepowerMegawatt to Electric HorsepowerMegawatt to BTU per HourMegawatt to BTU per MinuteMegawatt to BTU per SecondMegawatt to Foot-pound per SecondMegawatt to Foot-pound per MinuteMegawatt to Calorie per SecondMegawatt to Kilocalorie per HourMegawatt to Ton of RefrigerationMegawatt to Erg per SecondMegawatt to Joule per SecondGigawatt to WattGigawatt to MilliwattGigawatt to KilowattGigawatt to MegawattGigawatt to HorsepowerGigawatt to Metric HorsepowerGigawatt to Electric HorsepowerGigawatt to BTU per HourGigawatt to BTU per MinuteGigawatt to BTU per SecondGigawatt to Foot-pound per SecondGigawatt to Foot-pound per MinuteGigawatt to Calorie per SecondGigawatt to Kilocalorie per HourGigawatt to Ton of RefrigerationGigawatt to Erg per SecondGigawatt to Joule per SecondHorsepower to WattHorsepower to MilliwattHorsepower to KilowattHorsepower to MegawattHorsepower to GigawattHorsepower to Metric HorsepowerHorsepower to Electric HorsepowerHorsepower to BTU per HourHorsepower to BTU per MinuteHorsepower to BTU per SecondHorsepower to Foot-pound per SecondHorsepower to Foot-pound per MinuteHorsepower to Calorie per SecondHorsepower to Kilocalorie per HourHorsepower to Ton of RefrigerationHorsepower to Erg per SecondHorsepower to Joule per SecondMetric Horsepower to WattMetric Horsepower to MilliwattMetric Horsepower to KilowattMetric Horsepower to MegawattMetric Horsepower to GigawattMetric Horsepower to HorsepowerMetric Horsepower to Electric HorsepowerMetric Horsepower to BTU per HourMetric Horsepower to BTU per MinuteMetric Horsepower to BTU per SecondMetric Horsepower to Foot-pound per MinuteMetric Horsepower to Calorie per SecondMetric Horsepower to Kilocalorie per HourMetric Horsepower to Ton of RefrigerationMetric Horsepower to Erg per SecondMetric Horsepower to Joule per SecondElectric Horsepower to WattElectric Horsepower to Milliwatt

Verified Against Authority Standards

All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.

NIST Reference on Constants, Units and Uncertainty

National Institute of Standards and TechnologyFundamental physical constants and unit conversions

BIPM SI Units

Bureau International des Poids et MesuresInternational System of Units (SI) definitions and standards

ISO 80000

International Organization for StandardizationQuantities and units international standards series

Last verified: February 19, 2026