Watt Converter
Convert between various units of power, from picowatts to petawatts, horsepower, BTU/h, and more.
Enter a value in any field, and all other fields will update automatically.
Converting Units of Power
The Watt Converter is a dynamic tool for converting between many different units of power. Power is the rate at which energy is transferred or work is done. This calculator is essential for engineers, scientists, and anyone needing to compare power ratings across different measurement systems.
🔌 How to Use the Converter
This dynamic converter updates in real-time:
- Enter a Value: Simply type a number into any of the power unit fields (e.g., enter `100` into the "Watt (W)" field).
- View Instant Conversions: As you type, all other fields—from picowatts to horsepower—will automatically update to show the equivalent power.
- See the Calculation: Below the input fields, a "Calculation Steps" section will appear, explaining the conversion from the unit you last edited to the base unit (Watts) and then to all other units.
What is a Watt?
A watt (W) is the International System of Units (SI) unit for power. One watt is defined as an energy transfer rate of one joule per second (1 W = 1 J/s). The calculator uses the watt as the base unit for all conversions.
Common Power Units
Besides the standard SI prefixes (kilo-, mega-, giga-, etc.), this calculator includes several other important units:
- Horsepower (hp): A common unit for rating engines and motors. Note that there are several types, such as metric and electric horsepower, which have slightly different values.
- BTU per hour (BTU/h): Often used for rating heating and cooling systems like air conditioners and furnaces.
- Ton of Refrigeration (TR): Another unit used in HVAC, equivalent to 12,000 BTU/h.
- Kilocalorie per hour (kcal/h): Used in nutrition and thermodynamics to describe energy consumption rates.
The calculator handles the specific conversion factors for all these units, allowing you to seamlessly switch between them.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What's the difference between power and energy?
- Energy (measured in Joules or kWh) is the total capacity to do work. Power (measured in Watts) is the rate at which that energy is used. For example, a 100-watt light bulb (power) left on for one hour consumes 100 watt-hours of energy.
- Is horsepower a standardized unit?
- Not exactly, which is why this calculator includes different types. Metric horsepower (hp(M)) and electric horsepower (hp(E)) have slightly different definitions in watts. Boiler horsepower is a much larger unit related to a boiler's capacity to produce steam.