Kilowatt is 1000 watt units.
Kilowatts to Foot-pounds per second Converter — kW to ft-lb/s
Convert Kilowatt (kW) to Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) using the exact conversion factor (1 kilowatt = 737.5621493 foot-pound per second). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Kilowatts 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 1000 / 1.355817948.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Kilowatts to Foot-pounds per second
Kilowatt 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. Kilowatt is most often used for electric vehicle motor power ratings (alongside horsepower).
Formula
foot-pounds per second = kilowatts × 737.562149277
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 kilowatt equals 1000 base units, and 1 foot-pound per second equals 1.35581794833 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct kilowatt-to-foot-pound per second factor of 737.562149277.
Simple example
1 kW × 737.5621493 = 737.5621493 ft-lb/s
1 kilowatt = 737.5621493 foot-pounds per second.
Real-world example
100 kW × 737.5621493 = 73,756.21493 ft-lb/s
100 kilowatts = 73,756.21493 foot-pounds per second.
Conversion table
| Kilowatt (kW) | Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 737.5621493 ft-lb/s |
| 10 kW | 7,375.621493 ft-lb/s |
| 50 kW | 36,878.10746 ft-lb/s |
| 100 kW | 73,756.21493 ft-lb/s |
| 500 kW | 368,781.0746 ft-lb/s |
| 1,000 kW | 737,562.1493 ft-lb/s |
Reverse conversion: Foot-pound per second to Kilowatt
737.5621493 ft-lb/s × 0.001355817948 = 1 kW
737.5621493 foot-pounds per second = 1 kilowatts.
kilowatts = foot-pounds per second × 0.00135581794833
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Foot-pound per second to Kilowatt.
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.
Understanding the Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s)
Mechanical power rate.
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 foot-pounds per second are in 1 kilowatt?
1 kilowatt equals 737.5621493 foot-pounds per second, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert kilowatt to foot-pound per second?
Multiply the kilowatt value by 737.5621493. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert foot-pound per second back to kilowatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 foot-pound per second equals 0.0013558179 kilowatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a kilowatt?
Kilowatt (kW) measures power. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
What is a foot-pound per second?
Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) is a unit of engineering.
Is the kilowatt to foot-pound per second conversion exact?
Yes. Both kilowatt and foot-pound per second are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 737.5621493 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Where is the kilowatt still used today?
Standard power unit worldwide for larger appliances, vehicles, and electrical systems
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.