Metric horsepower.
Metric horsepowers to BTU per hour Converter — PS to BTU/h
Convert Metric horsepower (PS) to BTU per hour (BTU/h) using the exact conversion factor (1 metric horsepower = 2,509.625906 btu per hour). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Metric horsepowers to BTU per hour 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.
Power rate using BTU per hour.
Result = input x 735.49875 / 0.2930710702.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Metric horsepowers to BTU per hour
Metric horsepower and BTU per hour 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. Metric horsepower is most often used for european and japanese vehicle engine power ratings (often shown as ps or cv).
Formula
btu per hour = metric horsepowers × 2509.62590599
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 metric horsepower equals 735.49875 base units, and 1 btu per hour equals 0.293071070172 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct metric horsepower-to-btu per hour factor of 2509.62590599.
Simple example
1 PS × 2509.625906 = 2,509.625906 BTU/h
1 metric horsepower = 2,509.625906 btu per hour.
Real-world example
100 PS × 2509.625906 = 250,962.5906 BTU/h
100 metric horsepowers = 250,962.5906 btu per hour.
Conversion table
| Metric horsepower (PS) | BTU per hour (BTU/h) |
|---|---|
| 1 PS | 2,509.625906 BTU/h |
| 10 PS | 25,096.25906 BTU/h |
| 50 PS | 125,481.2953 BTU/h |
| 100 PS | 250,962.5906 BTU/h |
| 500 PS | 1,254,812.953 BTU/h |
| 1,000 PS | 2,509,625.906 BTU/h |
Reverse conversion: BTU per hour to Metric horsepower
1 BTU/h × 0.0003984657624 = 0.0003984658 PS
1 btu per hour = 0.0003984658 metric horsepowers.
metric horsepowers = btu per hour × 0.000398465762413
For a page dedicated to this direction, see BTU per hour to Metric horsepower.
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.
Understanding the BTU per hour (BTU/h)
Power rate using BTU per hour.
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 btu per hour are in 1 metric horsepower?
1 metric horsepower equals 2,509.625906 btu per hour, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert metric horsepower to btu per hour?
Multiply the metric horsepower value by 2509.625906. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert btu per hour back to metric horsepower?
Use the reverse factor: 1 btu per hour equals 0.0003984658 metric horsepowers. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
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).
What is a btu per hour?
BTU per hour (BTU/h) is a unit of engineering.
Is the metric horsepower to btu per hour 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.
Where is the metric horsepower still used today?
Continental Europe, Japan, and other metric-system automotive markets
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.