bhp to hp calculator

How to convert bhp to hp

Brake horsepower (bhp) is power measured at the engine output shaft before drivetrain losses. In many automotive contexts, 1 bhp is treated as 1 mechanical hp. However, some regions use metric horsepower (PS), which is slightly different.

Common formulas

• Mechanical hp: hp = bhp × 1.0000
• Metric hp (PS): PS = bhp × 1.0138696654
• Kilowatts: kW = bhp × 0.745699872

Quick reference table

bhp	Mechanical hp	Metric hp (PS)	kW
100	100.00	101.39	74.57
150	150.00	152.08	111.85
200	200.00	202.77	149.14
300	300.00	304.16	223.71

Why bhp and hp can look confusing

Power labels vary by country and industry. Manufacturers may publish engine output in bhp, hp, PS, or kW. Numbers can appear inconsistent even when they describe nearly the same real-world performance.

For practical use:

• If you are comparing UK/US style specs, bhp and mechanical hp are usually equivalent.
• If you are comparing against European PS ratings, convert using the metric factor.
• If you want strict SI units, use kilowatts.

Example conversion

Suppose an engine is rated at 250 bhp.

• Mechanical hp = 250.00 hp
• Metric hp (PS) = 250 × 1.0138696654 = 253.47 PS
• kW = 250 × 0.745699872 = 186.42 kW

FAQ

Is bhp exactly the same as hp?

In modern everyday usage, bhp is typically treated as mechanical horsepower at the crank, so values are effectively the same for most comparisons.

What is the difference between hp and PS?

PS (metric horsepower) is a slightly larger unit than mechanical hp. That is why the PS number is usually a little higher for the same engine.

Can I use this calculator for motorcycles, cars, and boats?

Yes. The math is unit-based and applies to any engine power figure, regardless of vehicle type.