BHP to PS Converter
Instantly convert brake horsepower (BHP) to metric horsepower (PS) — and back. Get kW, hp, and ft-lb/s in the same step. Perfect for comparing car specs across UK and European markets.
BHP ↔ PS Converter
Convert between brake horsepower, metric PS, kW, hp, and ft-lb/s
Enter the BHP figure from the car’s specification sheet
Conversion Result
BHP ↔ PS with full unit breakdown
Enter a BHP or PS value and click Convert to see the full power unit breakdown.
BHP, PS & kW Explained
BHP — The British Standard
Brake horsepower is the traditional imperial power measure used in UK car advertising. Measured at the crankshaft, it’s the figure you’ll see in most British press reviews and dealership brochures.
PS — The European Metric
Pferdestärke (PS) is the metric horsepower standard used across Germany and much of Europe. It’s slightly higher than BHP: 200 BHP is roughly 203 PS. German manufacturers like BMW and Mercedes quote PS in domestic specs.
kW — The Official SI Unit
Kilowatts are required on all EU/UNECE type-approval certificates. Many modern car adverts now show both kW and PS together (e.g. “150 kW / 204 PS”). 1 BHP = 0.7457 kW.
BHP & PS FAQ
Everything you need to know about horsepower units and what the numbers mean for real-world performance.
BHP (brake horsepower) is the imperial measure of engine power, measured at the crankshaft without auxiliary losses. PS (Pferdestärke, German for “horsepower”) is the metric equivalent widely used in European car specifications. 1 BHP equals approximately 1.01387 PS, so they are very close but not identical.
To convert BHP to PS, multiply the BHP value by 1.01387. For example, 200 BHP × 1.01387 = 202.77 PS. To convert PS back to BHP, multiply by 0.98632. The difference is small — a 200 BHP engine is roughly 203 PS.
Germany and most of continental Europe adopted the metric PS (Pferdestärke) as their standard power unit long before the EU harmonised on kilowatts (kW). Many German manufacturers — BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen — traditionally quoted PS in domestic specs. UK buyers often see BHP in advertising, while the same car’s EU spec sheet shows a slightly higher PS figure.
No. Metric PS (1 PS = 735.499 W) and imperial hp (1 hp = 745.7 W) are different units. 1 PS = approximately 0.9863 hp. They are close enough that the terms are often used loosely in everyday speech, but for precise automotive specifications the distinction matters.
kW (kilowatts) is the SI unit of power and is used on official EU type-approval documents. 1 BHP = 0.7457 kW, or equivalently 1 kW = 1.341 BHP. Many modern car adverts show both kW and PS or BHP together (e.g. “150 kW / 204 PS”).
BHP is measured at the crankshaft (engine output) and does not account for transmission, drivetrain, or auxiliary losses. Wheel horsepower (whp), measured at the driven wheels on a dynamometer, is typically 10–15% lower than BHP because of those losses.
UK manufacturers and dealers often quote BHP in advertising, while the official type-approval certificate uses kW as required by EU/UNECE regulations. PS appears frequently in specs from continental European brands sold in the UK market. All three units refer to the same physical quantity — power — and this converter handles any combination.