Megawatt is 1000000 watt units.
Megawatts to Horsepowers Converter — MW to hp
Convert Megawatt (MW) to Horsepower (hp) using the exact conversion factor (1 megawatt = 1,341.02209 horsepower). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Megawatts to Horsepowers converter
Converter
Power Converter
Convert watts, horsepower, refrigeration tons, BTU per hour, and engineering power units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Mechanical horsepower.
Result = input x 1e+6 / 745.6998716.
Power uses the watt as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Megawatts to Horsepowers
Megawatt and Horsepower both describe power output, and the conversion is a routine part of comparing an engine or motor's spec sheet across countries that use different power units. Specifically: Megawatt is 1000000 watt units, and mechanical horsepower.
Formula
horsepowers = megawatts × 1341.0220896
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 megawatt equals 1000000 base units, and 1 horsepower equals 745.699871582 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct megawatt-to-horsepower factor of 1341.0220896.
Simple example
1 MW × 1341.02209 = 1,341.02209 hp
1 megawatt = 1,341.02209 horsepowers.
Real-world example
100 MW × 1341.02209 = 134,102.209 hp
100 megawatts = 134,102.209 horsepowers.
Conversion table
| Megawatt (MW) | Horsepower (hp) |
|---|---|
| 1 MW | 1,341.02209 hp |
| 10 MW | 13,410.2209 hp |
| 100 MW | 134,102.209 hp |
| 500 MW | 670,511.0448 hp |
| 1,000 MW | 1,341,022.09 hp |
| 5,000 MW | 6,705,110.448 hp |
Reverse conversion: Horsepower to Megawatt
1 hp × 0.0007456998716 = 0.0007456999 MW
1 horsepower = 0.0007456999 megawatts.
megawatts = horsepowers × 0.000745699871582
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Horsepower to Megawatt.
Understanding the Megawatt (MW)
Megawatt is 1000000 watt units.
Understanding the Horsepower
Horsepower (hp) measures power. Mechanical horsepower is defined as exactly 745.6998715822702 watts. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States and United Kingdom (vehicle and engine specifications)
Mechanical horsepower vs. metric horsepower. Mechanical horsepower (745.7 W) and metric horsepower/PS (735.5 W) differ by about 1.4% — a US car spec sheet in 'hp' and a European one in 'PS' are not directly comparable numbers without conversion.
Uses of the Horsepower today
- US and UK vehicle engine power ratings
- Motor and engine specifications in English-speaking markets
History of the Horsepower
James Watt popularized horsepower in the 1780s as a marketing figure, comparing his steam engines' output to the working capacity of a horse (based on his estimate of a horse turning a mill), so buyers could grasp engine capability in familiar terms. The unit stuck long after its origin as a sales tool, eventually being formally defined at exactly 550 foot-pounds per second.
Historical origin. Horsepower was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Horsepower — sources
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Documents the exact watt-equivalence of mechanical horsepower.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many horsepowers are in 1 megawatt?
1 megawatt equals 1,341.02209 horsepowers, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert megawatt to horsepower?
Multiply the megawatt value by 1341.02209. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert horsepower back to megawatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 horsepower equals 0.0007456999 megawatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a megawatt?
Megawatt (MW) is a unit of power.
What is a horsepower?
Horsepower (hp) measures power. Mechanical horsepower is defined as exactly 745.6998715822702 watts. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Is the megawatt to horsepower conversion exact?
Yes. Mechanical horsepower is defined as exactly 745.6998715822702 watts. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
What is the difference between mechanical horsepower vs. metric horsepower?
Mechanical horsepower (745.7 W) and metric horsepower/PS (735.5 W) differ by about 1.4% — a US car spec sheet in 'hp' and a European one in 'PS' are not directly comparable numbers without conversion.