Mechanical power rate.
Foot-pounds per second to Kilowatts Converter — ft-lb/s to kW
Convert Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) to Kilowatt (kW) using the exact conversion factor (1 foot-pound per second = 0.0013558179 kilowatt). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Foot-pounds per second to Kilowatts 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.
Kilowatt is 1000 watt units.
Result = input x 1.355817948 / 1000.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Foot-pounds per second to Kilowatts
Foot-pound per second and Kilowatt 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 kilowatt is 1000 watt units.
Formula
kilowatts = foot-pounds per second × 0.00135581794833
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 kilowatt equals 1000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct foot-pound per second-to-kilowatt factor of 0.00135581794833.
Simple example
1 ft-lb/s × 0.001355817948 = 0.0013558179 kW
1 foot-pound per second = 0.0013558179 kilowatts.
Real-world example
100 ft-lb/s × 0.001355817948 = 0.1355817948 kW
100 foot-pounds per second = 0.1355817948 kilowatts.
Conversion table
| Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) | Kilowatt (kW) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft-lb/s | 0.0013558179 kW |
| 10 ft-lb/s | 0.0135581795 kW |
| 50 ft-lb/s | 0.0677908974 kW |
| 100 ft-lb/s | 0.1355817948 kW |
| 500 ft-lb/s | 0.6779089742 kW |
| 1,000 ft-lb/s | 1.355817948 kW |
Reverse conversion: Kilowatt to Foot-pound per second
0.0013558179 kW × 737.5621493 = 0.9999999644 ft-lb/s
0.0013558179 kilowatts = 0.9999999644 foot-pounds per second.
foot-pounds per second = kilowatts × 737.562149277
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Kilowatt to Foot-pound per second.
Understanding the Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s)
Mechanical power rate.
Understanding the Kilowatt
Kilowatt (kW) measures power. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
Where it's used: Standard power unit worldwide for larger appliances, vehicles, and electrical systems
Uses of the Kilowatt today
- Electric vehicle motor power ratings (alongside horsepower)
- Household electrical system and generator capacity
- Industrial motor and equipment power ratings
History of the Kilowatt
The kilowatt follows directly from the watt via the standard SI 'kilo-' prefix, becoming especially prominent with the growth of electrical power generation and distribution in the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Historical origin. Kilowatt was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Kilowatt — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — SI prefixes — Defines 'kilo-' as the prefix for 10³.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilowatts are in 1 foot-pound per second?
1 foot-pound per second equals 0.0013558179 kilowatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert foot-pound per second to kilowatt?
Multiply the foot-pound per second value by 0.001355817948. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert kilowatt back to foot-pound per second?
Use the reverse factor: 1 kilowatt equals 737.5621493 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 kilowatt?
Kilowatt (kW) measures power. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
Is the foot-pound per second to kilowatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both foot-pound per second and kilowatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 0.001355817948 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
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.