CC to HP Conversion Charts [Small and Big Engines] | (2023)

How many cc do you need for one horsepower?

The general rule is that every 5-6 cc generates 1 HP for hypercars and high-performance powersport vehicles. When it comes to average cars and vehicles, you can expect to get 1 HP from every 7 to 20 cc. On the other end of the spectrum, you can find large utility engines that deliver 1 HP for every 25-80cc.

If you want to drill into the details, this post is for you.

We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled the most common cc/HP ratios for many different engines into one chart!

Are CC and HP the Same?

Although CC and HP figures are not the same, there’s a loose relationship between these specifications. The CC (means: cubic centimeters) refers to the engine’s displacement, which is the size of the combustion chambers. In contrast, the HP (horsepower) references the engine’s power output.

In other words, the CC number shows how big the engine is, while the HP tells how powerful it is.

It’s safe to say that there’s a correlation between these figures, but contrary to popular belief, a larger displacement doesn’t necessarily mean higher HP ratings.

This is because engine power doesn’t solely depend on its displacement but on many other features as well.

Let’s get into details and talk about these in detail!

Factors that Affect the CC/HP Ratio

Many different factors affect an engine’s cc/HP ratio, but the major ones are as follows:

• Engine stroke
• Type of engine (diesel vs. gasoline)
• Cooling system
• Numbers and dimensions of the cylinders
• Aspiration (naturally-aspirated vs. super or turbocharged)
• Materials, tolerances, and compression ratio

One of the most important factors is the type of engine. 2-strokes usually have a better cc/HP ratio than 4-strokes due to their design.

Liquid-cooled engines are also more efficient than their air-cooled brothers, so they crank out more HP with the same displacement.

Another key factor is the number and the dimensions of the cylinders. The general rule is that the more cylinder the engine has, the more power it can deliver.

Engine aspiration also has a major effect on performance. Supercharged and turbocharged engines burn much more fuel, delivering more power than naturally-aspirated power sources.

There are also many important factors like engine materials, design, tolerances, and compression ratio that significantly affect the HP per cc ratio.

The bore and stroke of the engine are no less important. The smaller the cylinder bore, the longer stroke the engine has. These long-stroke engines generate more torque but have worse HP to cc ratios.

“Big-bore” engines have large-diameter pistons combined with short strokes. Since the pistons in these engines can move much faster, they can deliver much more power.

This is why 600cc and 1000cc sportbikes with 4-cylinder, in-line, big-bore engines have very good cc/HP ratios.

For example, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 motorcycle is powered by a supercharged, 992cc in-line engine rated at 310 HP (3.2 cc = 1 HP). Since V-twin engines deliver much less power, an average 1000cc Harley produces about 70 HP (14 cc = 1 HP).

Regarding 4-wheelers, a 1500cc racing car engine can crank out up to 400 HP, which means 3.75 cc delivers 1 HP. In contrast, a 1500cc farm tractor puts out about 20 HP, meaning that 75cc can only produce 1 HP.

Consequently, there is a huge difference in the HP ratings of engines with the same displacement!

How Much CC is Equal to 1 HP?

For your convenience, we’ve done the research and compiled the cc/HP ratings of the most common engine categories into one list:

• 10-30cc RC engines: 5-10 cc/HP
• Jet skis: 5-10 cc/HP
• Motorcycles: 5-15 cc/HP
• Snowmobiles: 5-22 cc/HP
• Cars: 7-15 cc/HP
• Small industrial engines: 10-20 cc/HP
• ATVs: 13-18 cc/HP
• Outboard engines: 15-25 cc/HP
• Lawnmowers and snow blowers: 25-40 cc/HP
• Utility tractors: 40-80 cc/HP

CC to HP Conversion Charts

Here are some more detailed lists with the most common engine sizes and categories:

CC to HP Conversion for Small Engines

CC to HP Conversion for Large Engines

Disclaimer: These charts are for information purposes only!

Note that these are just hard numbers, about average stock engines. If you do extensive research, you can likely find some engines that do not fit within these ballpark figures.

How to Convert CC to HP

Although there’s no exact formula for converting engine CC to HP, here are some general calculation rules that work in most cases:

• High-performance powersport vehicles and hypercars: divide the CC by 5-6 to get the HP
• Average cars and powersport vehicles: divide the CC by 7-20 to get the HP
• Outboard engines: divide the CC by 15-25 to get the HP
• Small industrial engines: divide the CC by 10-20 to get the HP
• Lawnmowers and snow blowers: divide the CC by 25-40 to get the HP
• Utility tractors: divide the CC by 40-80 to get the HP

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to give more accurate ranges due to the large differences in engine features.

CC to HP by Displacements

How Much Horsepower is 10cc?

You can find the smallest engines in RC airplanes and vehicles. These 10cc, single-cylinder engines only put out 2 HP at 10,000-12,000 RPMs.

They weigh only 500-600 grams, which ensures the best power-to-weight ratio. 10cc RC engines are typically powered by ethanol or gasoline, depending on the model.

How Much Horsepower is 20cc?

Like their smaller brothers, 20cc engines are also typically used in RC machines. These revvy power sources deliver 2.5-3 HP and rev up to 7.000-10.000+ RPMs.

How Much Horsepower is 30cc?

The tiny 30cc RC engines deliver 3-4 HP at 7,000-10,000+ RPMs.

In contrast, industrial gasoline engines are rated at 2-3 HP and rev to about 5,000-5,000 RPMs. 30cc engines are commonly used in chainsaws and other types of power equipment.

How Much HP is a 50cc?

50cc gasoline engines are used to power mopeds and small motorcycles.

These single-cylinder 50cc power mills put out 3-9 HP in the average bike, but the high-end racing engines are rated for 10-20 HP. As far as 50cc industrial engines go, they only deliver 3-4 HP.

How Much HP is 80cc?

As a rule of thumb, an 80cc engine can generate 5-10 HP.

Although they are much less common than the 50cc units, some motorcycles come with 80cc engines rated at 6-10 HP. Lower-performance 80cc industrial engines can put out around 5-8 HP.

How Much HP is 100cc?

100cc gasoline engines are typically rated at 6-12 HP.

Stock 100cc motorcycle engines are rarely used in the states; these units crank out 7-12 HP, while industrial 100cc engines are rated at 6-9 HP.

How Much HP is 125cc?

You can expect the performance of an average stock 125cc engine to be in the range of 3-15 HP.

4-stroke, 125cc, 3-5 HP engines are used in push lawnmowers and outboards, while the deservedly-popular 125cc motorcycle usually puts out 10-15 HP. (However, some unrestricted models can hit a remarkable range of 30-35 HP!).

How Much HP is 150cc?

For 150cc engines, you can expect to get about 4-25 HP.

150cc outboard motors and walk lawnmowers deliver 4-6 HP, while snowblowers with the same displacement are rated at about 10 HP. For powersport vehicles, 150cc snowmobiles generate 10 HP and motorcycles 15-25 HP.

How Much HP is 200 cc?

As a rule of thumb, 200cc engines generate about 6-40 horsepower.

Entry-level engines in this category are the small 6-7 HP engines used in Go-Karts, snowblowers, and other machines.

Kid snowmobiles are also powered by 200cc engines rated at 9 HP, you can expect about 8-10 HP from a 200cc outboard motor.

You can find the most powerful 200cc engines in motorcycles, which can deliver up to 25 HP.

What is 250cc in terms of horsepower?

The average 250cc engine has approximately 8-40 HP.

The smallest utility engines fall into a range of 8-10 HP, while ATVs can deliver 15-35 HP. The most powerful 250cc engines have 25-40 HP and are used in motorcycles.

How much HP does a 300cc have?

A 300 cc engine has about 9-40 HP depending on its features.

For example, a decent 300cc snowblower is typically rated at 9-10 HP. In contrast, 300cc motorcycles have about 30-40 HP.

How Much HP does 350cc Have?

The performance of a 350cc engine falls into a range of 10-45 HP.

Industrial 350cc engines are often used on snowblowers, generators, and farm machinery; these units are rated 10-11 HP. ATVs and outboards are also available with 350cc engines, which crank out 18-20 HP.

On the other end of the spectrum, you can find high-performance 350cc motorcycle engines with 35-45 HP.

How Much Horsepower is 400cc?

Most 400cc engines are rated at 11-55 HP.

As far as 400cc, snowblowers and other machines produce 11-13 HP, ATVs have 30-34 HP, and the performance of 400cc motorcycles can reach a range of 40-55 HP.

How Much Horsepower is 500cc?

The HP ratings of a 500cc engine range anywhere between 15 to 60 HP.

You can find entry-level, 15-20 HP 500cc engines in riding lawnmowers, while an outboard of the same size is typically rated at 25 HP.

Unlike their utility siblings, sport 500cc ATVs offer a remarkable 30-40 HP with plenty of torque.

Like the other categories, you can find the most powerful 500cc engines in motorcycles. The average 500cc stock motorcycle is rated at 45-60 HP, but high-performance 2-stroke GP bikes can even reach an amazing 150-200 HP.

How Much Horsepower is 600cc?

Depending on their design and features, the performance of 600cc engines varies widely but usually falls into a range of 18-130 HP.

Most 600cc riding lawnmowers crank out 18-22 HP, while 600cc ATV engines are rated at 40-45 HP. Interestingly, the HP rates of 600cc motorcycle engines start from about 55-60 HP and go up to a whopping 130 HP.

Where does this big difference come from?

The answer is the number and shape of the cylinders. Single and twin cylinder engine configurations can deliver 60-80 HP, while in-line 4-cylinder “big-bore” engines can produce about 80-130 HP.

You can also find 600cc engines in snowmobiles, which can also produce up to 130 HP.

How Much HP is a 700cc engine?

Simply put, a 700cc engine can produce anywhere between 20 and 150 HP.

The average HP figures in this category are as follows:

• 700cc riding lawnmowers: 20-24 HP
• 700cc ATVs: 40-50 HP
• 700cc Motorcycles: 60-150 HP

How Much Horsepower is 750CC?

As expected, 750cc engines can offer a slightly higher performance (25-150 HP) than their 700cc siblings.

Some examples:

• 750cc riding lawnmowers: 24-26 HP
• 750cc ATVs: 50-55 HP
• 750cc Motorcycles: 60-150 HP

How Much Horsepower is 800cc?

An 800 cc engine has approximately 50-165 HP.

600cc utility vehicles like ATVs only have 50-65 HP but produce plenty of torque.

Some of the smallest production cars like the Renault KWID Neotech or the smallest Hyundai Eon also utilize 800cc gasoline engines rated at 54-60 HP.

The most powerful 800cc engines are used in motorcycles and snowmobiles; the performance of these units can reach an incredible 150-170 HP.

How Much Horsepower Does A 900cc Engine Have?

900cc engines are typically rated at 60-170 HP.

These power sources are used in a large variety of utility and powersport vehicles, including:

• 900cc UTVs 60-90 HP
• 900cc Jet Skis: 60-90 HP
• 900cc Cars: 60-110 HP
• 900cc Motorcycles: 65-150 HP
• 900cc Snowmobiles: 160-170 HP

How Much HP is 1000cc?

1000cc engines are commonly used in small cars and high-performance powersport vehicles. Depending on their feature, these power sources can generate about 60-310 HP.

Naturally-aspirated, small-bore 1000cc car engines are usually rated at 60-100 HP, while their revvy big-bore counterparts crank out 200-220 HP.

What’s more, the performance of a 1000cc engine can be increased up to 300+ HP with a turbocharger.

The most common stock HP figures in this category are as follows:

• 1000cc Outboards: 50-70 HP
• 1000cc Cars: 65-140 HP
• 1000cc UTVs 60-170 HP
• 1000cc Jet Skis: 90-120 HP
• 1000cc Motorcycles: 80-220 HP (300+ HP with supercharger)
• 1000cc Snowmobiles: 200-210 HP

What is 1500cc in terms of horsepower?

High-torque, 1500cc, 18-25 HP engines are used in tractors and utility vehicles. The more powerful 1500cc engines with 75-300+ HP engines are typically used in cars and vessels like jet skis or smaller boats.

Naturally-aspirated 1500cc engines are usually rated at 75-100 HP, while their supercharged/turbocharged brothers put out 150-300+ HP.

One of the most powerful stock 1500cc engines is planted in Kawasaki jet skis; this supercharged, 1494cc, in-line, 4-cylinder triple delivers a whopping 310 HP.

The average HP ratings within different categories are as follows:

• 1500cc Tractors: 18-25 HP
• 1500cc Outboards: 75-115 HP
• 1500cc Cars: 100-200 HP
• 1500cc Jet Skis: 160-310 HP

How Much Horsepower is 1800cc?

The performance of a 1800cc engine falls into a range of 30-300+ HP.

Some examples:

• 1800cc Tractors: 30-45 HP
• 1800cc Outboards: 75-115 HP
• 1800cc Cars: 140-250 HP
• 1800cc Jet Skis: 180-250 HP

How Much Horsepower is 2000cc?

The HP ratings of 2000cc engines start at about 30-35 HP and go up to a remarkable 300+ HP.

Some examples:

• 2000cc Tractors: 35-50 HP
• 2000cc Outboards: 75-115 HP
• 2000cc Cars: 150-300+ HP

How Much Horsepower is 3000cc?

From 40 HP diesel tractor engines to twin-turbo 400+ HP gasoline car engines, the power of 3000cc engines varies widely.

Examples:

• 3000cc Tractors: 40-60 HP
• 3000cc Outboards: 115-150 HP
• 3000cc Cars: 180-400 HP

How Much Horsepower is 4000cc?

You can also expect the power of a 4000cc engine to be in a range of 70-400+ HP.

Examples:

• 4000cc Tractors: 70-120 HP
• 4000cc Outboards: 150-350 HP
• 4000cc Cars: 180-400+ HP

FAQs – How to Change CC to HP

As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions on the topic.

Are CC and HP the Same?

CC and HP are completely different specifications; CC (cubic centimeters) refers to the engine’s displacement while HP (horsepower) tells us how powerful the engine is.

How Many CC Produces One Horsepower?

When it comes to internal combustion engines, 5-80cc can produce one horsepower. High-performance, big-bore in-line engines have a cc per HP ratio of 5-6. You can find these power sources in sportbikes, hypercars, turbocharged snowmobiles, and jet skis.

You can also expect to get about 7-20 cc per HP ratio in most cars and the average powersport vehicles with naturally-aspirated engines.

It’s safe to say that the worse cc/HP ratios are produced by 4-stroke utility engines; lawnmowers have about 25-40 cc per HP, while larger tractors have only 40-80 cc per HP.

How to Convert CC to HP

Since engine features differ from one model to the next, there’s no exact conversion from CC to HP.

However, if you are looking for some hard numbers, you can’t go wrong by using these CC to HP formulas:

• High-performance powersport vehicles and hypercars: divide the CC by 5-6 to get the HP
• Average cars and powersport vehicles: divide the CC by 7-20 to get the HP
• Outboard engines: divide the CC by 15-25 to get the HP
• Small industrial engines: divide the CC by 10-20 to get the HP
• Lawnmowers and snow blowers: divide the CC by 25-40 to get the HP
• Utility tractors: divide the CC by 40-80 to get the HP