What this converter does
This converter turns BTU per hour into mechanical horsepower and back instantly. Divide BTU/hr by about 2,544 to get horsepower — useful for sizing a motor to a known heat load. Type a value and read the result as you type.
Kilowatts and tons of refrigeration are on the same scale. For motor current, see the HP to Amps converter.
The units it covers
These are all units of power, each with a fixed value in kilowatts, so any pair converts through the kilowatt.
View all units & their values
| Unit | Symbol | Value | Mainly used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower (mechanical) | hp | 0.7457 | Engines, motors, machinery |
| BTU per hour | BTU/hr | 0.0002931 | Heating and cooling loads |
| Kilowatt | kW | 1 | SI power unit |
| Ton of refrigeration | TR | 3.5169 | Air-conditioning capacity |
The formula
Each unit has a fixed value in kilowatts, so converting between any two is one multiplication:
result = value × factor_from ÷ factor_toWhere:
- value = the number you typed
- factor_from = the “from” unit’s value in kW
- factor_to = the “to” unit’s value in kW
Worked example
Convert 12,000 BTU/hr to horsepower.
1 hp = 2,544.43 BTU/hr12,000 ÷ 2,544.43 = 4.72 hpSo 12,000 BTU/hr (one ton) is about 4.72 horsepower.
The units in this example
A rate of heat energy, standard for HVAC heating and cooling capacity in the US.
- 2,544 BTU/hr ≈ 1 hp
- 12,000 BTU/hr = 1 TR
- 3,412 BTU/hr = 1 kW
- 1,000 BTU/hr ≈ 0.393 hp
The imperial power unit, 745.7 watts, used for engines, motors and machinery.
- 1 hp ≈ 2,544 BTU/hr
- 1 hp = 0.7457 kW
- 1 hp ≈ 0.212 TR
- 1 hp = 745.7 W