Power Converter
Convert power values between BTU/hour, horsepower, kilowatts, megawatts, and more.
Power Unit Converter for BTU, Horsepower, Kilowatts, and More
This Power Converter changes one power value into another supported power unit using two paired number fields. The visible unit menus include BTU per hour, calorie-based rates, erg per second, foot-pound force rates, several horsepower types, kilowatt, megawatt, and milliwatt. Enter the original number, choose the source unit, choose the target unit, and the result appears in the opposite field and in the large result line above the form.
The page is useful when a specification, appliance label, engineering note, or equipment comparison uses a power unit that does not match the unit you need. Instead of manually looking up a factor and applying it by hand, you can switch directly between the supported choices and copy either numeric field when the result is ready.
How to Use Power Converter
- Type the power value into the left From number field, or edit the right field when you want to convert in the other direction.
- Open the From unit menu and choose the source unit shown in your document, label, or calculation.
- Open the To unit menu and choose the unit you want the answer to use.
- Check the large result line above the fields, where the converted number is shown beside the target unit name.
- Use the copy icon beside either number field when you need to paste the source or converted value elsewhere.
The form updates when you type in either field and when you change either unit menu. The current implementation is built for non-negative numeric values, so use positive power quantities rather than signed electrical or mathematical expressions.
Power Units Available in the Form
The selector is broader than a simple watt-to-horsepower calculator. It covers common power units and older technical units that still appear in tables, legacy manuals, equipment references, and conversion examples.
| Unit group | Visible examples | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Metric power | Kilowatt (kW), Megawatt (MW), Milliwatt (mW) | Electrical ratings, motor output, energy notes, and electronics references. |
| Horsepower | UK, boiler, electric, metric, and 550 ft lbf/s horsepower | Motor, pump, machinery, and vehicle-related comparisons. |
| Heat and work rate | BTU/hour, calories per minute or second, foot-pound force per second | HVAC references, thermal data, and mechanical work-rate conversions. |
When This Converter Helps
- HVAC checks: compare a BTU/hour figure with a kilowatt value before matching equipment to a room, system, or specification.
- Motor references: change horsepower into kilowatts when a catalog and a local standard use different naming.
- Technical documentation: normalize older units such as erg/second or foot-pound force/second before adding values to a report.
- Electronics notes: move between milliwatts and larger power units without losing decimal placement.
If the next value you need is an electrical unit rather than a power unit, the Voltage Converter may be the closer page. If the power value is part of a thermal specification, compare the heat reading with the Temperature Converter before finalizing the note.
Practical Checks Before Copying the Result
Power units can look similar while describing different rates. Horsepower variants are not identical, and BTU labels can refer to different conventions. Choose the exact option from the menu when it is available rather than choosing the closest-looking unit. For example, horsepower (electric) and horsepower (metric) are separate options on the page, so treating them as the same can create a small but meaningful difference.
Round-off also matters. The displayed result is rounded in the form, which is enough for many everyday comparisons but may not replace a full engineering calculation when a specification requires a defined number of significant figures. Keep the original value beside the copied answer when the result will be checked later.
Example Power Conversion Check
Suppose a cooling unit lists a rate in BTU/hour while another document uses kilowatts. Start by entering the BTU/hour value exactly as shown, then choose Kilowatt (kW) as the target. If a second label lists horsepower, convert that number separately instead of assuming it matches the kilowatt result. This keeps each power rating attached to the source label that created it.
For equipment notes, write down the original unit, the target unit, and the rounded answer. That small habit makes it easier to compare the value later with motor ratings, thermal capacity notes, or maintenance documents that may use another power convention.