Power to Mass Ratio Calculator
Calculate power-to-weight ratio for vehicles.
Power-to-Weight Ratio = Vehicle Weight / Engine Power (lbs/hp or kg/kW)
Example: 3,000 lbs car with 300 hp = 10 lbs/hp (Sports car level). A 400 hp version would be 7.5 lbs/hp (Supercar territory)
What is a good power-to-weight ratio?
Under 10 lbs/hp is sports car territory. 5-7 lbs/hp is supercar level. The Bugatti Chiron achieves about 4.4 lbs/hp.
Why does power-to-weight matter?
It determines acceleration. A lighter car with less power can be faster than a heavy car with more power. It's the key metric for performance.
Should I use curb weight or with driver?
For comparison purposes, use curb weight (empty vehicle). For real-world performance, add driver weight (150-200 lbs) and any cargo.
📐 Formula
Power-to-Weight Ratio = Vehicle Weight / Engine Power (lbs/hp or kg/kW)
📝 Example Calculation
Example: 3,000 lbs car with 300 hp = 10 lbs/hp (Sports car level). A 400 hp version would be 7.5 lbs/hp (Supercar territory)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good power-to-weight ratio?▼
Under 10 lbs/hp is sports car territory. 5-7 lbs/hp is supercar level. The Bugatti Chiron achieves about 4.4 lbs/hp.
Why does power-to-weight matter?▼
It determines acceleration. A lighter car with less power can be faster than a heavy car with more power. It's the key metric for performance.
Should I use curb weight or with driver?▼
For comparison purposes, use curb weight (empty vehicle). For real-world performance, add driver weight (150-200 lbs) and any cargo.