Convert mechanical horsepower to foot-pounds per second

1 hp=550ft·lbf/s

Use the converter below to change any mechanical horsepower value into foot-pounds per second instantly — with formula, conversion table, and real-world examples.

You have

Equals

550

Conversion formula

Forward

foot-pounds per second = mechanical horsepower × 550

Reverse

mechanical horsepower = foot-pounds per second × 0.001818

Example: 10 hp × 550 = 5,500 ft·lbf/s.

About both units

From

Mechanical Horsepower

Mechanical horsepower equals 745.7 watts — James Watt's 1782 definition based on horse labor. Used in US car engines, aircraft and some industrial equipment. US muscle cars quote hp; European cars usually kW or PS.

Real-world: Base Ford Mustang: ~310 hp. Lawn mower: 5 hp. Average car: 150–200 hp.

Read full mechanical horsepower reference →

Foot-Pound per Second

ft·lbf/s

Foot-pound per second equals 1.356 watts. Historical US mechanical-engineering unit, now largely replaced by watts or hp. Still appears in older engineering texts.

Real-world: Largely historical; modern specs use W or hp.

Read full foot-pound per second reference →

Mechanical Horsepower to Foot-Pound per Second conversion table

Common mechanical horsepower to foot-pounds per second values for quick reference.

Mechanical Horsepower (hp)	Foot-Pound per Second (ft·lbf/s)
1 hp	550 ft·lbf/s
5 hp	2,750 ft·lbf/s
10 hp	5,500 ft·lbf/s
50 hp	27,500 ft·lbf/s
100 hp	55,000 ft·lbf/s
500 hp	275,000 ft·lbf/s
1,000 hp	550,000 ft·lbf/s
5,000 hp	2,750,000 ft·lbf/s
10,000 hp	5,500,000 ft·lbf/s
50,000 hp	27,500,000.02 ft·lbf/s

Tips & common mistakes

Quick tips

1 hp = 745.7 W = 0.7457 kW.
US car ads quote hp; European ads quote kW or PS.
Metric horsepower (PS) differs by ~1.4% — be aware.

Avoid these

Assuming hp and PS are identical — 1.4% difference.
Using horsepower for electrical devices — watts more appropriate.
Confusing horsepower at engine flywheel vs wheel (transmission losses).

Frequently asked questions

How many foot-pounds per second in a mechanical horsepower?

One mechanical horsepower equals 550 foot-pounds per second.

How do I convert mechanical horsepower to foot-pounds per second?

Multiply the mechanical horsepower value by 550 to get the equivalent in foot-pounds per second.

What is 100 mechanical horsepower in foot-pounds per second?

100 mechanical horsepower equals 55,000 foot-pounds per second.

Is a mechanical horsepower bigger than a foot-pound per second?

Yes. 1 mechanical horsepower equals 550 foot-pounds per second, so one mechanical horsepower is larger.

How to convert mechanical horsepower to foot-pounds per second without a calculator?

Multiply by 550 for a quick estimate; use a calculator for precise results.

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