Home
Back
Power-to-Weight Ratio Formula:
| From: | To: |
The power-to-weight ratio is a key performance metric in automotive engineering that measures the relationship between a vehicle's power output and its weight. It indicates how much power is available to move each unit of weight, directly influencing acceleration and overall performance.
The calculator uses the power-to-weight ratio formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how many horsepower are available per pound of vehicle weight. Higher ratios indicate better performance potential.
Details: Power-to-weight ratio is crucial for understanding vehicle performance characteristics. It affects acceleration, hill-climbing ability, and overall driving dynamics. Vehicles with higher ratios typically have better performance and responsiveness.
Tips: Enter horsepower in HP and weight in pounds. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the power-to-weight ratio in hp/lb.
Q1: What is a good power-to-weight ratio?
A: For passenger cars, 0.05-0.08 hp/lb is average, 0.08-0.12 hp/lb is good, and above 0.12 hp/lb is considered high-performance.
Q2: How does power-to-weight ratio affect acceleration?
A: Higher power-to-weight ratios generally result in better acceleration, as there's more power available to overcome inertia and move the vehicle's mass.
Q3: Should I use curb weight or gross weight?
A: For performance calculations, use curb weight (vehicle weight without passengers or cargo). For practical applications, consider gross weight with typical load.
Q4: Can I convert to different units?
A: Yes, common conversions include hp/kg (divide hp/lb by 0.4536) or kW/kg (multiply hp/kg by 0.7457).
Q5: Why is this ratio important for racing?
A: In racing, minimizing weight while maximizing power is crucial. Even small improvements in power-to-weight ratio can significantly impact lap times and competitive performance.