UnitsConverter

Metric Horsepower (PS) - Unit Information & Conversion

Symbol:PS
Plural:PS
Category:Power

🔄 Quick Convert Metric Horsepower

See all Power conversions →

What is a Metric Horsepower?

Metric horsepower (PS, CV, pk) = 735.5 watts. European/Asian standard for engine power ratings. 1 PS = 0.9863 mechanical hp = 75 kgf⋅m/s. Common in automotive specs worldwide. German PS, French CV, Dutch pk all equal 735.5 W.

History of the Metric Horsepower

Derived from metric definition: power to lift 75 kg by 1 meter in 1 second (75 kgf⋅m/s). Established in late 1800s alongside mechanical hp. Standard in Europe, Asia, widely used in global automotive industry.

Quick Answer

What is Metric Horsepower? Metric horsepower (PS, CV, pk) = 735.5 watts. European engine power standard. 1 PS = 0.9863 mechanical hp (~1.4% less). VW Golf: 150 PS = 110 kW = 148 hp. Used in Europe, Asia, automotive worldwide. Use our power converter for conversions.

Definition

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.

Common Uses

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).

Real-World Examples

European Car Engines

  • Small car: 60-100 PS (VW Up: 60-75 PS = 44-55 kW)
  • Compact car: 90-150 PS (VW Golf: 110-150 PS = 81-110 kW)
  • Midsize sedan: 150-250 PS (BMW 3-series: 184-374 PS)
  • SUV: 180-400 PS (Audi Q5: 204-367 PS)
  • Sports car: 300-600 PS (Porsche 911: 385-650 PS)
  • Supercar: 500-1,000+ PS (Ferrari: 720 PS = 530 kW)

Asian Market Engines

  • Kei car (Japan): 64 PS max (legal limit)
  • Small sedan: 90-120 PS (Toyota Corolla: 122 PS)
  • Midsize: 150-200 PS (Honda Accord: 184 PS)
  • Performance: 300-400 PS (Nissan GT-R: 570 PS)

Motorcycle Engines

  • Scooter: 3-15 PS (125cc: ~11-15 PS)
  • Sport bike 600cc: 100-130 PS
  • Sport bike 1000cc: 150-200 PS
  • Superbike: 200-220 PS (Ducati Panigale: 214 PS)
  • Cruiser: 50-120 PS (Harley: 67-93 PS)

Commercial Vehicles

  • Small van: 90-150 PS (VW Caddy: 102-122 PS)
  • Delivery van: 120-200 PS (Mercedes Sprinter: 114-190 PS)
  • Light truck: 150-300 PS
  • Heavy truck: 300-600 PS

Metric Horsepower Conversion Formulas

To Watt:

1 PS = 735.49875 W
Example: 5 PS = 3677.49375 watts

To Milliwatt:

1 PS = 735498.75 mW
Example: 5 PS = 3677493.75 milliwatts

To Kilowatt:

1 PS = 0.735499 kW
Example: 5 PS = 3.677494 kilowatts

To Megawatt:

1 PS = 0.000735 MW
Example: 5 PS = 0.003677 megawatts

To Gigawatt:

1 PS = 7.3550e-7 GW
Example: 5 PS = 0.000004 gigawatts

To Horsepower:

1 PS = 0.98632 hp
Example: 5 PS = 4.9316 horsepower

To Electric Horsepower:

1 PS = 0.985923 hp(E)
Example: 5 PS = 4.929616 hp(E)

To BTU per Hour:

1 PS = 2509.625906 BTU/h
Example: 5 PS = 12548.12953 BTU/h

To BTU per Minute:

1 PS = 41.827098 BTU/min
Example: 5 PS = 209.135492 BTU/min

To BTU per Second:

1 PS = 0.697118 BTU/s
Example: 5 PS = 3.485592 BTU/s

To Foot-pound per Second:

1 PS = 542.476039 ft⋅lb/s
Example: 5 PS = 2712.380194 ft⋅lb/s

To Foot-pound per Minute:

1 PS = 32548.56233 ft⋅lb/min
Example: 5 PS = 162742.811652 ft⋅lb/min

To Calorie per Second:

1 PS = 175.78842 cal/s
Example: 5 PS = 878.942101 cal/s

To Kilocalorie per Hour:

1 PS = 632.838313 kcal/h
Example: 5 PS = 3164.191563 kcal/h

To Ton of Refrigeration:

1 PS = 0.209135 TR
Example: 5 PS = 1.045677 TR

To Erg per Second:

1 PS = 7354987500 erg/s
Example: 5 PS = 36774937500 erg/s

To Joule per Second:

1 PS = 735.49875 J/s
Example: 5 PS = 3677.49375 J/s

Frequently Asked Questions

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 →

Convert Metric Horsepower

Need to convert Metric Horsepower to other power units? Use our conversion tool.

Go to Power ConverterConvert from Metric Horsepower

Metric Horsepower Quick Info

PS
Symbol:PS
Category:Power
System:Various
Convert Metric Horsepower

Related Power Units

View all 17 Power units →

Popular Conversions

See all power conversions →