How to use 0–60 / Horsepower Calculator
The horsepower calculator estimates a vehicle's power output from 0–60 mph time and weight, converts between horsepower, kilowatts and PS (metric horsepower), and calculates torque from HP and RPM. It also estimates quarter-mile elapsed time and trap speed from known HP and weight, useful for performance benchmarking.
- Enter vehicle weight (kerb weight) in lbs or kg.
- Enter 0–60 mph time, or switch to HP-to-performance mode.
- Review estimated horsepower and quarter-mile prediction.
- Use the HP ↔ kW ↔ PS converter for international specifications.
- Calculate torque from HP and RPM, or vice versa.
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HP, kW and torque — formulas
Horsepower from 0–60 (approximate): HP ≈ (Weight × 0–60 speed²) / (time × constant). More accurately, the ET method: HP = Weight ÷ (ET / 5.825)³. Unit conversions: 1 HP = 0.7457 kW = 1.0139 PS (metric HP). Torque and HP are related: HP = (Torque × RPM) ÷ 5,252. They are equal at 5,252 RPM for any engine — above that, HP exceeds torque numerically.
| HP | kW | PS (metric) | Torque at 5,252 RPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 74.6 | 101.4 | 100 lb-ft |
| 150 | 111.9 | 152.1 | 150 lb-ft |
| 200 | 149.1 | 202.8 | 200 lb-ft |
| 300 | 223.7 | 304.2 | 300 lb-ft |
| 400 | 298.3 | 405.6 | 400 lb-ft |
Wheel horsepower vs engine horsepower
Manufacturer-quoted HP is measured at the crankshaft (bhp/hp). Wheel horsepower (whp), measured at the driven wheels on a dynamometer, is typically 10–15% lower due to drivetrain losses (transmission, driveshafts, differentials). FWD cars lose ~12–13%; RWD ~10–11%; AWD ~13–15%. Always clarify which figure is being quoted when comparing performance cars.
Worked examples
Trap-speed estimate (3,400 lb, 100 mph)
Inputs: 3,400 × (100 ÷ 234)³
Result: ≈ 265 HP
Torque at 300 HP, 6,000 RPM
Inputs: 300 × 5,252 ÷ 6,000
Result: ≈ 263 lb-ft
Convert 300 HP to kW and PS
Inputs: 300 × 0.7457; 300 × 1.0139
Result: ≈ 223.7 kW · 304 PS
Drivetrain loss — wheel HP from 300 crank HP
| Drivetrain | Typical loss | Wheel HP |
|---|---|---|
| FWD | 12–13% | ~262 whp |
| RWD | 10–11% | ~268 whp |
| AWD | 13–15% | ~258 whp |
Glossary
- Horsepower (HP)
- A unit of power equal to 746 watts; measured at the crankshaft for rated output.
- Torque
- Rotational force measured in lb-ft or Nm; determines acceleration from rest.
- PS
- Pferdestärke — metric horsepower, widely used in European specifications; 1 PS = 0.9863 HP.
- Quarter-mile ET
- Elapsed time over a 402-metre drag strip — a standard performance benchmark.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use 0–60 / Horsepower Calculator?
- Estimates engine output from 0–60 time and vehicle weight without requiring a dynamometer run
- Converts between HP, kW and PS in a single calculation for cross-market specification comparisons
- Predicts quarter-mile elapsed time and trap speed from known power and kerb weight figures
- Calculates torque from horsepower and RPM to interpret peak-power versus low-end pulling trade-offs
Common use cases
- Estimate the true output of a modified engine after a tune using a recent timed 0–60 run
- Convert a European car's PS rating to HP and kW before comparing it to US-spec rivals
- Predict quarter-mile performance for a build before committing to an expensive engine modification
- Verify whether a manufacturer's claimed horsepower is consistent with the published 0–60 for that kerb weight
- Calculate peak torque at the power RPM to assess whether the engine suits low-speed towing or high-rev track use
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