Mechanical power rate.
Foot-pounds per second to Metric horsepowers Converter — ft-lb/s to PS
Convert Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) to Metric horsepower (PS) using the exact conversion factor (1 foot-pound per second = 0.0018433994 metric horsepower). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Foot-pounds per second 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 1.355817948 / 735.49875.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Foot-pounds per second to Metric horsepowers
Foot-pound per second 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: Mechanical power rate, and metric horsepower.
Formula
metric horsepowers = foot-pounds per second × 0.00184339939168
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 foot-pound per second equals 1.35581794833 base units, and 1 metric horsepower equals 735.49875 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct foot-pound per second-to-metric horsepower factor of 0.00184339939168.
Simple example
1 ft-lb/s × 0.001843399392 = 0.0018433994 PS
1 foot-pound per second = 0.0018433994 metric horsepowers.
Real-world example
100 ft-lb/s × 0.001843399392 = 0.1843399392 PS
100 foot-pounds per second = 0.1843399392 metric horsepowers.
Conversion table
| Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) | Metric horsepower (PS) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft-lb/s | 0.0018433994 PS |
| 10 ft-lb/s | 0.0184339939 PS |
| 50 ft-lb/s | 0.0921699696 PS |
| 100 ft-lb/s | 0.1843399392 PS |
| 500 ft-lb/s | 0.9216996958 PS |
| 1,000 ft-lb/s | 1.843399392 PS |
Reverse conversion: Metric horsepower to Foot-pound per second
0.0018433994 PS × 542.4760388 = 1.000000005 ft-lb/s
0.0018433994 metric horsepowers = 1.000000005 foot-pounds per second.
foot-pounds per second = metric horsepowers × 542.476038841
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Metric horsepower to Foot-pound per second.
Understanding the Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s)
Mechanical power rate.
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 foot-pound per second?
1 foot-pound per second equals 0.0018433994 metric horsepowers, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert foot-pound per second to metric horsepower?
Multiply the foot-pound per second value by 0.001843399392. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert metric horsepower back to foot-pound per second?
Use the reverse factor: 1 metric horsepower equals 542.4760388 foot-pounds per second. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a foot-pound per second?
Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) 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 foot-pound per second 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.