In terms of mechanical power, what unit is commonly used alongside horsepower?

Horsepower is a unit of measurement that indicates the power output of an engine or motor. In the field of mechanical power, horsepower is often compared and converted to kilowatts, which is part of the metric system.

One horsepower is equivalent to approximately 0.7457 kilowatts, making kilowatt a commonly used unit in contexts where electrical and mechanical systems are being compared or converted. This relationship is particularly relevant in automotive and engineering discussions, where power output may need to be understood in both imperial and metric systems.

While watts is another unit associated with power, it is a smaller unit than horsepower and kilowatt, as one kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. Joules measure energy, and pound-foot measures torque, making them less relevant in this context for expressing mechanical power. Therefore, the most fitting unit to use alongside horsepower for direct comparison is kilowatt.