The kilowatt (kW) equals 1,000 watts and is the standard unit for measuring the power output of engines, electric heaters, and industrial machinery. Electricity bills use kilowatt-hours (kW × hours), making the kilowatt the most familiar power unit for consumers. One kilowatt equals approximately 1.341 horsepower.

Metric horsepower (PS, Pferdestärke) equals approximately 735.5 watts, slightly less than imperial horsepower, and is the standard power unit for vehicle ratings throughout Europe and Asia. Car specifications in Germany, Japan, and China typically list engine output in PS. One PS equals about 0.9863 imperial horsepower or 0.7355 kilowatts.