What is the difference between horsepower and torque?

Horsepower and torque are both measurements of engine power but are calculated differently and have different effects.

Horsepower is a measure of an engine’s ability to do work over time, or how fast it can accomplish a task. It’s calculated by multiplying the engine’s torque (in pound-feet) by its rotational speed (in revolutions per minute), then dividing the result by 5,252. This measures an engine’s output in terms of how much work it can do over time.

Torque, on the other hand, is a measure of an engine’s twisting force that provides acceleration. It’s the amount of force that the engine applies to the wheels or drivetrain to move the vehicle. Torque is measured in pound-feet (lb-ft) or Newton meters (Nm).

In simple terms, horsepower determines how fast a vehicle can go, while torque determines how quickly it can get there. Vehicles with high horsepower are generally faster but take longer to accelerate, while those with high torque accelerate quickly but may have lower top speeds.

Overall, both horsepower and torque are important in determining an engine’s performance and capability.