What’s the difference between HP and CV?
HP (horsepower) and CV (metric horsepower) are both units used to measure engine power, with only minor differences between them. Understanding these distinctions is important for interpreting specifications across different markets.
What is HP?
HP (horsepower) is a unit of power used to measure engine output. The term originates from “horsepower,” historically defined to compare engine performance with that of draft horses.
It is the standard unit in the Anglo-Saxon system and is primarily used in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other English-influenced markets.
What is CV?
CV (from caballo de vapor, or metric horsepower) is a unit of power very similar to HP.
It belongs to the metric system and is widely used in Europe and Spanish-speaking countries.
What is the difference between HP and CV?
HP and CV are nearly equivalent units, but there are slight differences that become relevant when precise calculations are required.
Standard conversion values:
1 HP ≈ 1.0139 CV
1 CV ≈ 0.9863 HP
This means that 1 HP is slightly more powerful than 1 CV.
Example:
A 100 HP engine delivers approximately 101.4 CV
A 100 CV engine delivers approximately 98.6 HP
What about kW?
The kilowatt (kW) is the official unit of power in the International System of Units (SI) and is increasingly used as a global standard, particularly in technical and industrial applications.
A kilowatt represents a higher unit of power than HP or CV.
Conversion values:
1 kW = 1.341 HP
1 kW = 1.36 CV
1 HP ≈ 0.7457 kW
1 CV ≈ 0.7355 kW
Example:
A 100 HP engine corresponds to approximately 74.5 kW
A 100 kW engine delivers about 134.1 HP
In which countries are they used?
HP: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other Anglo-Saxon markets
CV: Spain, France, Latin America, and other non-Anglo European countries
kW: Used globally, especially in regulatory, technical, and scientific contexts
Which unit is most common in machinery?
Usage depends on both region and application:
In agricultural and industrial machinery, HP is common in the United States
In Europe and Latin America, CV or kW are more frequently used, particularly in technical specifications
ISO and European standards increasingly prioritize kW, although HP and CV remain widely used in commercial communication
What does “PS” mean?
PS stands for Pferdestärke (German for horsepower). In practice, it corresponds to the same unit as CV (metric horsepower).
1 PS = 0.7355 kW (equivalent to 1 CV)
The term is mainly used in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking countries.
It is commonly found in technical specifications for European vehicles, including brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen.
TECH Answers is a special section featuring specific information on topics of interest for the machinery sector and the agricultural industry in general.
