Megawatts to Horsepower Converter
Enter a value to instantly convert between power units.
1 Megawatt = 1341.0221 Horsepower (mech)
Key Formulas
Kilowatt → Horsepower (mech)
hp = kW × 1.34102Horsepower (mech) → Kilowatt
kW = hp × 0.7457Watt → Kilowatt
kW = W × 0.001Kilowatt → Watt
W = kW × 1000Formula
hp = MW × 1341.02Large generators, ship propulsion systems, and industrial drives are specified in megawatts for grid planning but sometimes need to be expressed in horsepower for compatibility with older specifications, North American equipment catalogues, or purchasing documents that predate SI. A 5 MW diesel generator = 6,705 hp — a figure that might appear in a marine engineering document or a legacy industrial spec.
Source: NIST SP 811, Table B.8
Last reviewed: · see our methodology
Frequently Asked Questions
Real-World Examples
0.7457 MW = exactly 1,000 hp — a common reference for large industrial motor sizing.
0.7457 MW = 1000 hp
1 MW = 1,341 hp — the benchmark conversion for large drives, ship engines, and industrial equipment catalogues.
1 MW = 1341 hp
A 5 MW offshore gas turbine generator = 6,705 hp — relevant when sourcing replacement parts from North American suppliers.
5 MW = 6705 hp
A 20 MW ferry propulsion plant = 26,820 hp — how a marine surveyor might express the output for a North American classification society.
20 MW = 26820 hp