Horsepower (mechanical) to dBW Converter
Power · unit-converter
Convert Horsepower (mechanical) to dBW with a fixed input and output unit, step-by-step formula line, and reference tables. Linear units use SI watt definitions; mechanical hp uses 550 ft·lbf/s; BTU/h uses the IT BTU; dBm/dBW are logarithmic relative to 1 mW and 1 W. The full Power Converter also includes PS/CV, TR, kVA/MVA, and ft·lb/s.
Calculator
From: Horsepower (mechanical) (hp)
To: dBW (dbw)
About Horsepower (mechanical)
Mechanical horsepower here is the US definition: 550 ft·lbf/s ≈ 745.70 W. Automotive and industrial specs often cite hp.
About dBW
dBW is a logarithmic power level relative to 1 W: P(W) = 10^(dBW/10). RF, microwave, and antenna work often use dBW with dBm.
How to convert horsepower (mechanical, 550 ft·lb/s) to decibels relative to 1 w (dbw)
dBm/dBW are logarithmic power levels. P_W = 10^((dBm − 30) / 10), P_W = 10^(dBW / 10), and inverse mappings use 10 × log₁₀(·) with P_W > 0.
From Horsepower (mechanical), multiply by 745.6998715822702 W per hp to get watts, then apply the dBm formula (watts must be positive).
Examples
Example #1: Convert 10 hp to dbw
10 hp → 38.725641 dbw
Example #2: Convert 30 hp to dbw
30 hp → 43.496853 dbw
Summary
To convert Horsepower (mechanical) to dBW, multiply by watts per hp, then apply dBW: dBW = 10 × log₁₀(P_W), where P_W = value_hp × 745.6998715822702. Watts must be positive.
Relationship context
You are converting between mechanical power (horsepower, ft·lb/s) (Horsepower (mechanical, 550 ft·lb/s)) and logarithmic RF levels (dBm) (Decibels relative to 1 W (dBW)). Log units (dBm/dBW) use base-10 definitions relative to 1 mW or 1 W; linear units map through watts first, then to or from the selected log unit. Only strictly positive power in watts maps to a real dB power value.
Conversion tables
| Horsepower (mechanical) (hp) | dBW (dbw) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | 18.725641 |
| 1 | 28.725641 |
| 2 | 31.735941 |
| 3 | 33.496853 |
| 4 | 34.746241 |
| 5 | 35.715341 |
| 6 | 36.507153 |
| 7 | 37.176621 |
| 8 | 37.756541 |
| 9 | 38.268066 |
| Horsepower (mechanical) (hp) | dBW (dbw) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 38.725641 |
| 20 | 41.735941 |
| 30 | 43.496853 |
| 40 | 44.746241 |
| 50 | 45.715341 |
| 60 | 46.507153 |
| 70 | 47.176621 |
| 80 | 47.756541 |
| 90 | 48.268066 |
| 100 | 48.725641 |