Convert Foot-Pound per Second to Metric Horsepower (ft·lbf/s → PS)

The foot-pound per second is the American mechanical-power unit, used in engineering and machine-rating contexts.

Foot-Pound per Second

Metric Horsepower

0.001843

1 ft·lbf/s0.001843 PSNIST · BIPM accuracy

Foot-Pound per Second to Metric Horsepower Conversion Table

10 common values

Foot-Pound per Second	Metric Horsepower
1 ft·lbf/s	0.001843 PS
5 ft·lbf/s	0.009217 PS
10 ft·lbf/s	0.018434 PS
50 ft·lbf/s	0.09217 PS
100 ft·lbf/s	0.18434 PS
500 ft·lbf/s	0.9217 PS
1,000 ft·lbf/s	1.843399 PS
5,000 ft·lbf/s	9.216997 PS
10,000 ft·lbf/s	18.433994 PS
50,000 ft·lbf/s	92.16997 PS

How to Convert Foot-Pound per Second to Metric Horsepower Manually

Step by Step

Converting foot-pounds per second to metric horsepower is straightforward: multiply by the conversion factor. Follow these three steps to do it by hand or in your head.

1
Take your value in foot-pounds per second
Start with the number of foot-pounds per second (ft·lbf/s) you want to convert.
2
Multiply by 0.001843
The conversion factor from ft·lbf/s to PS is 0.001843. Multiply your value by this number.
3
Read the result in metric horsepower
The result is your value in metric horsepower (PS).

Practical Examples

1 ft·lbf/s

equals

0.001843 PS

5 ft·lbf/s

equals

0.009217 PS

10 ft·lbf/s

equals

0.018434 PS

25 ft·lbf/s

equals

0.046085 PS

100 ft·lbf/s

equals

0.18434 PS

Formula

Multiply the value in foot-pounds per second by 0.001843. For the reverse direction, multiply by 542.47604.

ForwardPS = ft·lbf/s × 0.001843

Reverseft·lbf/s = PS × 542.47604

Example: 10 ft·lbf/s × 0.001843 = 0.018434 PS

Tips

Use these in everyday conversions

1 ft·lbf/s = 1.356 W.
550 ft·lbf/s = 1 mechanical hp.
Rarely needed today outside archival references.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these

Confusing ft·lbf/s (power) with ft·lbf (torque or work).
Using in modern specifications — prefer W or kW.
Mixing with foot-pound (energy) in same calculation.

About Foot-Pound per Second and Metric Horsepower

What is the Foot-Pound per Second?

The foot-pound per second (ft·lb/s) is the American mechanical-power unit, used in engineering and machine-rating contexts. James Watt's original definition of 1 horsepower was 33,000 ft·lb/min = 550 ft·lb/s, so the foot-pound per second is the granular American power unit underlying horsepower calculations. It is rare in everyday use (kW or hp dominate American power specifications) but appears in engineering thermodynamics textbooks, mechanical-design calculations, and ballistics-energy contexts. The ft·lb/s relates to the watt (1 ft·lb/s ≈ 1.356 W), horsepower (550 ft·lb/s = 1 hp), and the BTU per hour (1 ft·lb/s ≈ 4.626 BTU/h). It is part of the legacy US customary unit system that retains a foothold in mechanical engineering despite metric advancement.

Older US mechanical-engineering calculations
Some US physics textbooks
Classical-mechanics problems

Real-world examples

Largely historical; modern specs use W or hp.

What is the Metric Horsepower?

The Pferdestärke (PS), also called metric horsepower or 'cheval vapeur' (CV) in French, equals exactly 735.49875 watts — about 1.4% smaller than mechanical horsepower. Defined as the power needed to lift 75 kg by 1 meter in 1 second under standard gravity, the PS is the European traditional power unit for car engines. German, French, Italian, and Japanese car manufacturers historically rated engines in PS, and the unit persists in marketing — '300 PS' sounds slightly higher than '300 hp' to consumers. EU regulations require power to be specified primarily in kW, with PS allowed as a secondary unit. The PS relates to the watt (1 PS ≈ 735.5 W), the kilowatt (1 PS ≈ 0.7355 kW), and the mechanical horsepower (1 PS ≈ 0.9863 hp). The slight difference between PS and hp is mostly imperceptible in casual use but noticeable in precise engineering specifications.