The exact equivalent
One metric horsepower is exactly 0.73549875 kilowatts. It is defined as the power to lift 75 kilograms one metre in one second.
1 CV = 0.73549875 kW
1 kW = 1.35962162 CV
How to convert it by hand
Just multiply by the conversion factor. To go from metric horsepower to kilowatts, multiply by 0.735499; to come back, divide by that same number or multiply by 1.359622.
For example: 25 CV × 0.735499 = 18.3875 kW.
A tip that saves mistakes: check the result goes the way you expect. If kilowatts are a smaller unit than metric horsepower, the number has to come out bigger. If it comes out smaller, you divided when you should have multiplied.
Conversion table
| CV | kW |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.7355 |
| 2 | 1.471 |
| 5 | 3.6775 |
| 10 | 7.355 |
| 20 | 14.71 |
| 50 | 36.7749 |
| 100 | 73.5499 |
Reference points to picture it
| Reference | Equals |
|---|---|
| A small hatchback | 90 CV = 66.2 kW |
| A family car | 150 CV = 110.3 kW |
| A sports car | 300 CV = 220.6 kW |
| 1 kW | 1.36 CV |
The trick for doing it in your head
Multiply by 0.75, or divide by 1.36. For 150 metric hp: about 110 kW, against a true 110.3.
It is fine for getting by without a phone, but not for anything that depends on precision: in a recipe, on a building site or in a dose, use the exact conversion.