Performance Calculator

Horsepower Calculator

Calculate horsepower from torque and RPM, or find peak torque from HP. Convert between HP, kW, and PS (metric horsepower).

Engine Parameters

50 (4-cyl)300 (V8)700+ (diesel)
1,0003,0006,0009,000

Or enter your HP to find torque:

Horsepower

257 HP

at 4,500 RPM

Kilowatts (kW)

192 kW

PS (Metric HP)

261 PS

Torque (Nm)

407 Nm

HP per Litre (if known)

Enter displacement below

HP Benchmarks

Economy car (Civic)158 HP
Midsize sedan (Camry V6)301 HP
Muscle car (Mustang GT)486 HP
Supercar (Corvette Z06)670 HP

The HP formula.

HP = Torque (lb-ft) × RPM / 5,252

5,252 = 33,000 ft-lbf/min ÷ (2π)
(the conversion constant between
rotational power and HP)

kW = HP × 0.7457
PS = HP × 1.01387
Nm = lb-ft × 1.35582

Why does HP = Torque × RPM / 5252?

Horsepower is the rate of doing work. Power = Force × Distance / Time. For a rotating shaft: Power = Torque × Angular velocity. 5,252 is the conversion constant that makes lb-ft × RPM come out in horsepower units.

What is PS vs HP?

PS (Pferdestärke) is metric horsepower, used mainly in Europe. 1 PS = 0.9863 HP — nearly identical. Most European car specs are quoted in PS; US specs in HP. kW (kilowatts) is the SI unit, used in Australia and some other markets.

Why do torque and HP curves cross at 5,252 RPM?

Mathematically, HP = Torque when RPM = 5,252. This is why the HP and torque curves always intersect at exactly 5,252 RPM on a dyno sheet — it's a mathematical identity, not a coincidence.