HP to BHP Calculator

HP to BHP Calculator: Convert Horsepower to Brake Horsepower

Spec sheets don't always agree on units. One source lists an engine in horsepower, another lists the same engine in brake horsepower, and suddenly you're comparing numbers that don't quite line up. Our HP to BHP Calculator clears that up instantly — enter a horsepower figure, and get the equivalent brake horsepower value in one click.

Below, you'll find the exact formula this calculator uses, a full conversion chart, and a clear explanation of what actually separates HP from BHP.

What Is the Difference Between HP and BHP?

Horsepower (HP) and brake horsepower (BHP) both describe engine power, but they describe it from different vantage points. Brake horsepower specifically refers to power measured directly at the engine's crankshaft or flywheel, using a braking device (a dynamometer) to load the engine and measure output before it passes through the gearbox, differential, or any other drivetrain component.

Horsepower, in general automotive use, often refers to that same output figure, though depending on the source, it may already account for small losses from engine ancillaries like the alternator or water pump. In practice, the two terms are used close enough to interchangeably that most spec sheets don't bother distinguishing them — but when a precise numeric conversion is needed, a small standard factor is applied.

The HP to BHP Formula

This calculator uses the following conversion:

BHP = HP × 0.98632

In other words, multiply your horsepower figure by 0.98632 to get the equivalent brake horsepower value. For example, 10 HP converts to 9.8632 BHP, and 100 HP converts to 98.632 BHP.

How to Use the HP to BHP Calculator

• Enter your horsepower value into the input box.
• Click "Calculate Brake Horsepower (BHP)."
• Read your converted result instantly.

HP to BHP Conversion Chart

Here's a quick-reference table using the 0.98632 factor, covering everything from small engines to serious high-output power plants.

Quick Conversions People Search For

10 HP to BHP

10 HP converts to 9.8632 BHP.

50 HP to BHP

50 HP converts to 49.316 BHP.

100 HP to BHP

100 HP converts to 98.632 BHP.

150 HP to BHP

150 HP converts to 147.948 BHP.

200 HP to BHP

200 HP converts to 197.264 BHP.

250 HP to BHP

250 HP converts to 246.58 BHP.

300 HP to BHP

300 HP converts to 295.896 BHP.

500 HP to BHP

500 HP converts to 493.16 BHP.

A Note on Conflicting HP-to-BHP Conversion Factors Online

If you compare this page against other converter sites, you'll notice some disagreement. A number of sources apply the factor in the opposite direction, treating brake horsepower as very slightly larger than horsepower rather than smaller. Strictly speaking, in real automotive engineering, HP and BHP aren't two different-sized units connected by a fixed multiplier at all — BHP describes how the power was measured (at the crankshaft, via a brake dynamometer, before drivetrain losses), not a separate physical quantity with its own conversion constant.

The small 1 to 2 percent adjustment used by online converters — including this one — actually reflects the difference between mechanical horsepower and other closely related definitions of the horsepower unit, applied here in the direction most commonly returned by popular hp-to-bhp calculator tools. If you're doing precise engineering work, treat HP and BHP as effectively equal, and pay attention to how a given source measured its number rather than relying on a multiplier to convert between them.

HP vs. BHP vs. WHP

There's a third figure worth knowing: wheel horsepower (WHP), which is measured at the driven wheels using a chassis dynamometer, after the drivetrain has already taken its cut. WHP is typically 10 to 25 percent lower than the engine's rated horsepower or brake horsepower, depending on the drivetrain type — front-wheel-drive cars tend to lose less, all-wheel-drive cars tend to lose more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HP to BHP conversion factor?

This calculator uses BHP = HP × 0.98632, matching the factor most commonly returned by popular hp-to-bhp calculator tools online.

Is BHP always lower than HP?

Not necessarily — it depends on which convention a given source follows. In real terms, HP and BHP are close enough to treat as equal for most practical purposes; the small percentage difference you'll see across different tools reflects measurement convention, not a meaningful power difference.

Why do car manufacturers list BHP instead of HP?

BHP has historically been the standard figure quoted in UK and European automotive markets, while US manufacturers typically use SAE horsepower. Both describe engine output at the crankshaft, just under slightly different regional conventions.

Is BHP the same as torque?

No. Torque measures rotational force, while horsepower and brake horsepower measure the rate at which that force does work. They're related — horsepower can be calculated from torque and RPM — but they aren't the same measurement.

Try the Calculator

Skip the manual math — enter your horsepower figure into the calculator above and get the equivalent brake horsepower instantly. It's free, fast, and built for exactly this kind of spec-sheet comparison.