kVA to HP Calculator
Convert kVA to horsepower: HP = kVA × PF × Eff ÷ 0.746. Find the motor output a given apparent power supply can support.
MECHANICAL POWER
25.64 HP
REAL kW
21.25 kW
FORMULA
HP=(kVA×PF×Eff)/0.746
1 HP
= 746 watts
kVA to HP — Reference Table (PF=0.85, Eff=90%)
| kVA | HP | kW |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kVA | 5.13 HP | 4.25 kW |
| 10 kVA | 10.25 HP | 8.5 kW |
| 15 kVA | 15.38 HP | 12.75 kW |
| 20 kVA | 20.51 HP | 17 kW |
| 25 kVA | 25.64 HP | 21.25 kW |
| 30 kVA | 30.76 HP | 25.5 kW |
| 50 kVA | 51.27 HP | 42.5 kW |
| 75 kVA | 76.91 HP | 63.75 kW |
| 100 kVA | 102.55 HP | 85 kW |
| 150 kVA | 153.82 HP | 127.5 kW |
| 200 kVA | 205.09 HP | 170 kW |
💡 How to Convert kVA to HP
To convert kVA to horsepower, multiply the kVA by the power factor to get kW, multiply by the motor efficiency to get output kW, then divide by 0.746. The result is the shaft horsepower a motor drawing that apparent power would deliver.
kVA to HP formula
Example: 25 kVA, PF 0.85, Eff 0.9 → 25 × 0.85 × 0.9 ÷ 0.746 = 25.6 HP
Worked examples
- 10 kVA supply (PF 0.85, Eff 0.9): 10 × 0.765 ÷ 0.746 = 10.25 HP of running motor load.
- 50 kVA transformer (PF 0.85, Eff 0.9): 51.3 HP of motors running at full load, before allowing for starting current.
- Less efficient motor (PF 0.8, Eff 0.85) on 5 kVA: 5 × 0.68 ÷ 0.746 = 4.56 HP.
kVA to HP table
| kVA | HP (PF 0.85, Eff 0.9) | HP (PF 0.8, Eff 0.85) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.03 | 0.91 |
| 5 | 5.13 | 4.56 |
| 10 | 10.25 | 9.12 |
| 15 | 15.38 | 13.67 |
| 20 | 20.51 | 18.23 |
| 25 | 25.64 | 22.79 |
| 30 | 30.76 | 27.35 |
| 50 | 51.27 | 45.58 |
| 75 | 76.91 | 68.36 |
| 100 | 102.55 | 91.15 |
Don't size on running load alone
A supply that can carry a motor's running kVA may not be able to start it. Direct-on-line starting commonly draws about 6–8 times full-load current briefly, which can trip breakers or stall a generator. Treat the result as the maximum continuous motor load and check starting requirements separately.
Which horsepower?
These calculators use 1 HP = 746 W, the standard mechanical (imperial) horsepower (more precisely 745.7 W). Metric horsepower (PS or CV), used on some European and Asian equipment, is 735.5 W. Motor nameplate horsepower is the output at the shaft; the electrical power drawn is higher because of motor losses, which is why efficiency appears in the formulas.
Typical values: small single-phase motors often run at 70–85% efficiency and a power factor of 0.7–0.85; larger three-phase premium-efficiency motors exceed 90% efficiency with power factors around 0.85–0.9 at full load. Both efficiency and power factor drop when a motor is lightly loaded. The nameplate is the best source.
Related conversions: HP to kVA · kVA to kW · amps to HP