Convert Horsepower-Hours to Calories

Convert Horsepower-Hours (hp·h) to Calories (cal) instantly and accurately.

Conversion Formula

cal = hp·h × 641615.5683

About Horsepower-Hours

A horsepower-hour (hp·h) is the energy from one mechanical horsepower (745.6999 W) for one hour - exactly 2,684,519.54 J ≈ 2.685 MJ. James Watt coined the horsepower to compare his steam engines with mine horses; billing in hp·h preceded the kilowatt-hour tariff. The metric horsepower (PS = 75 kgf·m/s = 735.499 W) gives a slightly smaller metric-hp·h = 2,647,795 J, used in European and Japanese engine datasheets. Today the hp·h appears in marine engineering logs, mining energy accounting, and vintage industrial equipment. 1 hp·h = 2.6845 MJ = 0.74570 kWh = 641.19 kcal.

About Calories

A calorie (cal) - the thermochemical calorie - is exactly 4.184 J, defined as the heat to raise 1 g of water by 1°C. Standard since 1954. The calorie is the fundamental unit of heat measurement in thermochemistry: glucose combustion releases 669.9 kcal/mol; water vaporisation requires 539.7 cal/g. Bond dissociation energies in quantum chemistry are often quoted in kcal/mol. Note: the dietary Calorie (capital C) on food labels is 1 kcal = 4,184 J - a factor-of-1,000 difference that causes persistent confusion. 1 cal = 4.184 J = 1.163 × 10⁻³ Wh.

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