Metric horsepower.
Metric horsepowers to Foot-pounds per second Converter — PS to ft-lb/s
Convert Metric horsepower (PS) to Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) using the exact conversion factor (1 metric horsepower = 542.4760388 foot-pound per second). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Metric horsepowers to Foot-pounds per second 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.
Mechanical power rate.
Result = input x 735.49875 / 1.355817948.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Metric horsepowers to Foot-pounds per second
Metric horsepower and Foot-pound per second 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
foot-pounds per second = metric horsepowers × 542.476038841
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 foot-pound per second equals 1.35581794833 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct metric horsepower-to-foot-pound per second factor of 542.476038841.
Simple example
1 PS × 542.4760388 = 542.4760388 ft-lb/s
1 metric horsepower = 542.4760388 foot-pounds per second.
Real-world example
100 PS × 542.4760388 = 54,247.60388 ft-lb/s
100 metric horsepowers = 54,247.60388 foot-pounds per second.
Conversion table
| Metric horsepower (PS) | Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 PS | 542.4760388 ft-lb/s |
| 10 PS | 5,424.760388 ft-lb/s |
| 50 PS | 27,123.80194 ft-lb/s |
| 100 PS | 54,247.60388 ft-lb/s |
| 500 PS | 271,238.0194 ft-lb/s |
| 1,000 PS | 542,476.0388 ft-lb/s |
Reverse conversion: Foot-pound per second to Metric horsepower
542.4760388 ft-lb/s × 0.001843399392 = 0.9999999999 PS
542.4760388 foot-pounds per second = 0.9999999999 metric horsepowers.
metric horsepowers = foot-pounds per second × 0.00184339939168
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Foot-pound per second 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 Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s)
Mechanical power rate.
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 foot-pounds per second are in 1 metric horsepower?
1 metric horsepower equals 542.4760388 foot-pounds per second, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert metric horsepower to foot-pound per second?
Multiply the metric horsepower value by 542.4760388. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert foot-pound per second back to metric horsepower?
Use the reverse factor: 1 foot-pound per second equals 0.0018433994 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 foot-pound per second?
Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) is a unit of engineering.
Is the metric horsepower to foot-pound per second 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.