Watts to Horsepower Calculator
One horsepower is about 746 watts, so watts ÷ 746 = horsepower. A 1,491-watt motor is about 2 hp.
2.01 hp
1500 watts is about 2.01 horsepower.
Runs in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere. Estimates assume nominal voltage and ideal conditions; confirm with a licensed electrician and local code before sizing wire or breakers.
The formula
Divide the watts by 746. Horsepower = Watts ÷ 746. (746 watts is the standard 'electric horsepower'.)
Example: A 746-watt motor is exactly 1 hp; a 1,500-watt shop tool is about 2 hp (1500 ÷ 746 ≈ 2.0).
Common questions
- How many watts is 1 horsepower?
- About 746 watts (the electric-horsepower convention). Mechanical hp is 745.7 W — close enough for most uses.
- How many watts is a 2 hp motor?
- About 1,492 watts (2 × 746). Note motors draw extra current on startup, so size wiring and breakers above the running figure.
- Why does my motor's amp draw seem high?
- Motors are inductive, so their real-world current runs above the simple watts ÷ volts figure (power factor ~0.8), and startup surge is higher still.