What is the difference between BHP, kW, and PS?

BHP (Brake Horsepower) is the UK/US standard. kW (kilowatt) is the SI unit used by engineers and increasingly in official specs. PS (Pferdstarke) is the metric horsepower used by European and Japanese manufacturers. 1 BHP = 0.7457 kW = 1.01387 PS.

Why do some cars quote PS instead of BHP?

PS is the German standard and is used by most European and Japanese manufacturers. It is very close to BHP (1 PS = 0.9863 BHP), so the numbers are almost interchangeable. EU regulations now require kW.

Which is more accurate for comparing cars?

kW is the most precise as it is the SI standard. For practical purposes, BHP and PS give very similar numbers. The key is to compare like with like — do not compare one car in BHP with another in PS without converting.

What is the difference between BHP and WHP?

BHP (brake horsepower) is measured at the engine crankshaft. WHP (wheel horsepower) is measured at the wheels on a rolling road (dyno) and accounts for drivetrain losses. Typically WHP is 10-20% lower than BHP depending on the transmission type.

Why do car adverts sometimes show different power figures?

Different markets use different units. Japanese imports often quote PS, European cars may show kW, and UK/US cars typically use BHP. Additionally, some quote peak power while others quote continuous power. The measurement standard (DIN, SAE, JIS) also affects the number slightly.

CarCalcs

BHP to KW Converter

Convert between brake horsepower, kilowatts, and PS.

Power

Unit

How We Calculate This

Uses standard conversion factors between the three common power units.

Conversion Factors

1 BHP = 0.7457 kW
1 BHP = 1.01387 PS
1 kW = 1.34102 BHP

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Actual figures may vary based on driving conditions, vehicle specifications, and other factors.