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Power Output calculator

Find the mechanical power delivered by a force moving at a certain speed.

How it works Report a problem

Power Output

P = F Γ— v Β· Force Β· Velocity

P = F Γ— v  |  Power in Watts (W)

Power output is the delivered side of power: what an engine, motor or person actually produces at the shaft, the wheels or the finish line. This calculator computes output from work and time, and converts the result between watts, kilowatts and horsepower.

How to use this calculator

  • Enter the work done (or energy delivered) and the time it took.
  • Press calculate to see the power output.
  • Convert the output to horsepower or kilowatts if your comparison needs it.

Rated output vs real output

Manufacturers quote peak output under ideal test conditions; real machines deliver less after heat, friction and drivetrain losses take their share (wheels often see 15 to 25% less than an engine's rated figure). Treating calculated output as the working figure and the brochure figure as a ceiling is the honest way round.

Frequently asked questions

How is power output measured for engines?
On a dynamometer, which measures torque and rotational speed; power output follows from the two. The same physics as this calculator, applied at the shaft.
What is a good power output for a car?
Ordinary family cars produce roughly 100 to 200 horsepower; sports models several times that. What matters for feel is output per tonne of vehicle weight.
Why do electric motors feel stronger than their output suggests?
They deliver near-maximum torque from zero speed, so the usable output arrives instantly. The peak figure is similar; its availability is different.