Brake Horsepower Calculator
What is a Brake Horsepower (BHP) Calculator?
A Brake Horsepower (BHP) Calculator is a tool used to calculate the power output of an engine measured at the output shaft (before any losses due to friction, accessories, or transmission). BHP represents the engine's raw power, typically measured at the engine's crankshaft or flywheel, and is an important metric in evaluating engine performance.
The formula for calculating brake horsepower is:

Where:
- BHP = Brake Horsepower
- T = Torque (in foot-pounds, lb-ft)
- N = Engine speed (in revolutions per minute, RPM)
- 5252 = A constant that converts units in the formula.
Why use a Brake Horsepower Calculator?
- Engine Performance Evaluation: It helps determine the power output of an engine, which is essential in industries like automotive, aviation, and marine engineering.
- Vehicle Design: Engineers use BHP to design vehicles with desired performance specifications, such as speed, acceleration, and efficiency.
- Comparative Analysis: It provides a standardized way to compare the power capabilities of different engines, regardless of their type (gasoline, diesel, electric, etc.).
How does a Brake Horsepower Calculator work?
- Input: You provide the engine's torque T and RPM (Revolutions Per Minute).
- Process: The calculator applies the formula
to compute the brake horsepower.
- Output: The result is the engine's brake horsepower value, representing the engine's output power.
For example, if the engine produces a torque of 200 lb-ft and operates at 3,000 RPM, the BHP would be:

When should you use a Brake Horsepower Calculator?
- Automotive Testing: When testing or tuning engines, particularly in racing or vehicle manufacturing, to assess the power output.
- Engineering & Design: When designing engines or selecting an engine for a particular application, like cars, boats, or industrial machines.
- Performance Analysis: When comparing the engine performance of different vehicles or machines.
- Maintenance & Diagnostics: To evaluate engine performance during maintenance or troubleshooting to ensure the engine is operating at optimal power.