Kilowatt to Foot-pound per Minute Converter

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

Formula: hp = ft⋅lbf/min ÷ 33,000

Examples:

• 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 1 hp (exact)
• 16,500 ft⋅lbf/min = 0.5 hp
• 66,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 2 hp
• 330,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 10 hp

ft⋅lbf/min to HP converter →

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

Formula: ft⋅lbf/s = ft⋅lbf/min ÷ 60

Examples:

• 60 ft⋅lbf/min = 1 ft⋅lbf/s
• 600 ft⋅lbf/min = 10 ft⋅lbf/s
• 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 550 ft⋅lbf/s = 1 hp

ft⋅lbf/min to ft⋅lbf/s converter →

Why 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min for 1 hp?

James Watt's experiment (1780s):

Observation: Draft horses in coal mines

• Work rate: Lifting ~22,000 lb⋅ft/min (typical horse)
• Watt's definition: 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min (50% above average)
• Marketing: Sell steam engines rated conservatively vs horses

Calculation:

• 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min ÷ 60 = 550 ft⋅lbf/s
• 550 ft⋅lbf/s × 1.356 = 745.7 W (modern equivalent)

Persists: Still defines horsepower 240+ years later!

How do I calculate power in ft⋅lbf/min?

Formula: Power (ft⋅lbf/min) = Force (lbf) × Distance per minute (ft/min)

Examples:

• Lifting 100 lb at 10 ft/min: 1,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 0.03 hp = 22.6 W
• Winch pulling 500 lb at 20 ft/min: 10,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 0.3 hp = 226 W
• Elevator lifting 2,000 lb at 100 ft/min: 200,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 6.06 hp = 4.52 kW

Modern practice: Convert to hp or kW for practical use.