How Do I Measure Briggs & Stratton’s Engine Power?

There are two ways you can measure an engine's power:

  • horsepower
  • gross torque rating

Find out how we differentiate the two types and where to find your engine/shorsepower or torque value.

What’s the difference between horsepower and torque value of my engine?

With our small engines that power walk-behind lawn mowers, pressure washers, tillers, and other specific applications, Briggs & Stratton uses gross torque ratings to measure the engine’s power rather than horsepower.

While horsepower has been traditionally been used for these applications to measure engine power, torque values are not new for engines. Gross Torque is the immediate twisting force required to turn a blade or pump at a given moment. Thus, torque is the way to measure the rotational force a machine can produce - i.e. exactly what a walk behind mower does as it cuts grass or a pressure washer as it pumps water - and a more accurate way to describe the capability or job capacity of an engine.

However, horsepower is still used to measure the power of our larger engines. These models are often used in applications such as a riding mower engines that may require power to be distributed to multiple areas of the equipment (such as transmission, wheels, hydraulics, etc.).

Where can I find my Briggs & Stratton engine’s horsepower or torque rating?

You can find the gross horsepower or torque value labeled on your engine.

To find an engine’s horsepower, look for a number with “HP” or “cc.”

If you are uncertain as to the gross torque or horsepower rating of your engine, please contact our Briggs & Stratton Answer Center by email or phone (800) 444-7774 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm CST) with your Engine Model, Type, and Code Numbers, and we will be happy to assist you.

For additional information regarding engine horsepower or torque value, please view our "Get to Know Torque" video below:

Engine Power Rating Information
