Power rate using BTU per hour.
BTU per hour to Metric horsepowers Converter — BTU/h to PS
Convert BTU per hour (BTU/h) to Metric horsepower (PS) using the exact conversion factor (1 btu per hour = 0.0003984658 metric horsepower). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
BTU per hour to Metric horsepowers converter
Converter
Engineering Converter
Convert common stress, force, torque, power, and energy units used in engineering.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Metric horsepower.
Result = input x 0.2930710702 / 735.49875.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting BTU per hour to Metric horsepowers
BTU per hour and Metric horsepower both measure a quantity used in structural or mechanical engineering — commonly stress, pressure, force, torque, power, or energy — where converting between the unit conventions used in different regions, industries, or equipment specifications is a routine part of design work. Specifically: Power rate using BTU per hour, and metric horsepower.
Formula
metric horsepowers = btu per hour × 0.000398465762413
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 btu per hour equals 0.293071070172 base units, and 1 metric horsepower equals 735.49875 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct btu per hour-to-metric horsepower factor of 0.000398465762413.
Simple example
1 BTU/h × 0.0003984657624 = 0.0003984658 PS
1 btu per hour = 0.0003984658 metric horsepowers.
Real-world example
100 BTU/h × 0.0003984657624 = 0.0398465762 PS
100 btu per hour = 0.0398465762 metric horsepowers.
Conversion table
| BTU per hour (BTU/h) | Metric horsepower (PS) |
|---|---|
| 1 BTU/h | 0.0003984658 PS |
| 10 BTU/h | 0.0039846576 PS |
| 50 BTU/h | 0.0199232881 PS |
| 100 BTU/h | 0.0398465762 PS |
| 500 BTU/h | 0.1992328812 PS |
| 1,000 BTU/h | 0.3984657624 PS |
Reverse conversion: Metric horsepower to BTU per hour
0.0003984658 PS × 2509.625906 = 1.000000094 BTU/h
0.0003984658 metric horsepowers = 1.000000094 btu per hour.
btu per hour = metric horsepowers × 2509.62590599
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Metric horsepower to BTU per hour.
Understanding the BTU per hour (BTU/h)
Power rate using BTU per hour.
Understanding the Metric horsepower
Metric horsepower (PS) measures power. Metric horsepower (PS/CV) is defined as exactly 735.49875 watts, the power to raise 75 kilograms one meter per second. It is classified as a Non-SI unit (metric, automotive).
Where it's used: Continental Europe, Japan, and other metric-system automotive markets
Uses of the Metric horsepower today
- European and Japanese vehicle engine power ratings (often shown as PS or CV)
- Motor and machinery power specifications in metric countries
History of the Metric horsepower
Metric horsepower emerged in continental Europe in the 19th century as engineers sought a metric-system analog to Watt's English horsepower, defining it via a round figure (75 kgf·m/s) convenient in metric calculations. It remains the standard automotive power unit across much of Europe and Asia, labeled PS (German 'Pferdestärke') or CV (French/Italian 'cheval-vapeur').
Historical origin. Metric horsepower was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Metric horsepower — sources
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Documents the exact watt-equivalence of metric horsepower.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many metric horsepowers are in 1 btu per hour?
1 btu per hour equals 0.0003984658 metric horsepowers, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert btu per hour to metric horsepower?
Multiply the btu per hour value by 0.0003984657624. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert metric horsepower back to btu per hour?
Use the reverse factor: 1 metric horsepower equals 2,509.625906 btu per hour. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a btu per hour?
BTU per hour (BTU/h) is a unit of engineering.
What is a metric horsepower?
Metric horsepower (PS) measures power. Metric horsepower (PS/CV) is defined as exactly 735.49875 watts, the power to raise 75 kilograms one meter per second. It is classified as a Non-SI unit (metric, automotive).
Is the btu per hour to metric horsepower conversion exact?
Yes. Metric horsepower (PS/CV) is defined as exactly 735.49875 watts, the power to raise 75 kilograms one meter per second. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
Why do engineering unit conventions vary so much by region and industry?
Pressure, force, and stress can be expressed in metric (pascal, newton), US customary (psi, pound-force), or older and industry-specific units (atmosphere, torr, kip) depending on the country, industry, and even the equipment manufacturer, which is why engineers routinely need to convert between them when working across specs from different sources.