Convert Metric Horsepower to Foot-Pound per Second (PS → ft·lbf/s)
The Pferdestärke (PS) is the metric horsepower unit used in European car marketing and engine specifications.
Metric Horsepower to Foot-Pound per Second Conversion Table
10 common values| Metric Horsepower | Foot-Pound per Second |
|---|---|
| 1 PS | 542.47604 ft·lbf/s |
| 5 PS | 2,712.3802 ft·lbf/s |
| 10 PS | 5,424.7604 ft·lbf/s |
| 50 PS | 27,123.802 ft·lbf/s |
| 100 PS | 54,247.604 ft·lbf/s |
| 500 PS | 271,238.02 ft·lbf/s |
| 1,000 PS | 542,476.04 ft·lbf/s |
| 5,000 PS | 2,712,380.2 ft·lbf/s |
| 10,000 PS | 5,424,760.4 ft·lbf/s |
| 50,000 PS | 27,123,802 ft·lbf/s |
How to Convert Metric Horsepower to Foot-Pound per Second Manually
Step by StepConverting metric horsepower to foot-pounds per second is straightforward: multiply by the conversion factor. Follow these three steps to do it by hand or in your head.
- 1Take your value in metric horsepowerStart with the number of metric horsepower (PS) you want to convert.
- 2Multiply by 542.47604The conversion factor from PS to ft·lbf/s is 542.47604. Multiply your value by this number.
- 3Read the result in foot-pounds per secondThe result is your value in foot-pounds per second (ft·lbf/s).
Formula
Multiply the value in metric horsepower by 542.47604. For the reverse direction, multiply by 0.001843.
ft·lbf/s = PS × 542.47604PS = ft·lbf/s × 0.001843Tips
Use these in everyday conversions- 1 PS = 735.5 W = 0.9863 hp.
- PS is ~1.4% smaller than mechanical hp.
- Look for "PS" in German car brochures; "ch" in French.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these- Treating PS and hp as equal — 1.4% off.
- Using PS in US markets — unfamiliar to consumers.
- Mixing PS and kW without conversion.
About Metric Horsepower and Foot-Pound per Second
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.
- European car and motorcycle ratings
- Italian and German engine specs
- Some European industrial equipment
VW Golf GTI: ~245 PS = 180 kW. BMW M3: ~480 PS = 353 kW.
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
Largely historical; modern specs use W or hp.