Power Calculator (Physics)

Calculate mechanical power using work and time, or force and velocity. Power is the rate of doing work or transferring energy.

Enter work and time to calculate power.

Power Formulas

P = W / t (power = work ÷ time)
P = F × v (power = force × velocity)
Example: A motor does 5000 J of work in 10 seconds.
P = 5000 / 10 = 500 W

Units of Power

UnitEquivalent
1 Watt (W)1 J/s
1 Kilowatt (kW)1000 W
1 Horsepower (hp)745.7 W

FAQ

What is the difference between power and energy?

Energy is the total amount of work done. Power is the rate at which that work is done. A 100 W bulb uses 100 joules per second.

How is horsepower related to watts?

1 mechanical horsepower = 745.7 watts. The unit was defined by James Watt to compare steam engine output to horse labor.

Last updated: 2026-08-08