Electrical Cost Calculator

Find out exactly what an appliance costs to run. Pick a common appliance or enter its wattage directly, set how long it runs, and get the daily, monthly, and yearly cost — plus a chart and the exact formula used. Open the Compare Appliances tool below to see a cost-share pie chart across up to six appliances at once, or browse the appliance wattage reference table for typical values.

Appliance — pick one to auto-fill wattage, or choose Custom

Enter wattage directly, or pick an appliance above. Formula: kWh = (W ÷ 1,000) × Hours

Wattage

Electricity Rate — $/kWh

Hours per Day

Days per Month

Rate pre-filled with the approximate 2026 U.S. national residential average. Check your own utility bill and replace it — rates range from roughly 10¢ to over 40¢/kWh by state.

🔄 kWh CalculatorEnergy only, no cost 🔄 Power Factor CalculatorEfficiency check

⚠️ Common Estimating Mistakes

Using the nameplate's maximum wattage instead of typical running wattage — cyclic appliances like refrigerators and AC units rarely run at full draw continuously.
Using your average bill rate when you're actually on a tiered or time-of-use plan, where the marginal rate for extra usage can be higher than the average.
Forgetting delivery fees and taxes — the rate on your bill is usually higher than the generation-only rate often quoted online.
Ignoring standby ("phantom") power — many electronics still draw a few watts when switched off but still plugged in.

Monthly Cost

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USD / month

Daily Cost

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USD / day

Yearly Cost

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USD / year

Monthly Energy

—

kWh / month

Formula: —

Cost Over Time

Estimated Cost (USD)

Same appliance, same usage pattern — shown at three time scales.

Results are estimates based on the values entered. Actual costs depend on your utility's rate structure and the appliance's real-world usage pattern. See full disclaimer below.

Add up to six appliances to see which ones cost the most to run, side by side, with a single shared electricity rate. Use Add to Comparison above to send your current calculation here in one click.

Shared Electricity Rate — $/kWh

No appliances added yet. Use "Add Appliance" below or "Add to Comparison" above.

Comparison values reset when you leave or reload this page — nothing is saved.

How to Use the Electrical Cost Calculator

Choose Your Appliance or Enter Custom Wattage

Select a common appliance from the preset list to auto-fill its typical wattage, or choose Custom Wattage and enter the value from the appliance's nameplate. If only volts and amps are listed, switch to the Volts × Amps tab instead.

Enter Usage Time and Electricity Rate

Enter how many hours per day the appliance runs and how many days per month. A current U.S. national average electricity rate is pre-filled — replace it with the rate from your own utility bill for an accurate result.

Click Calculate

Press Calculate to see the daily, monthly, and yearly cost, the total kilowatt-hours consumed, the exact formula used, and a chart comparing the cost across all three time periods.

Compare Multiple Appliances (Optional)

Open Compare Appliances to add up to six appliances at once and see a pie chart showing how much each one contributes to your total estimated monthly cost. Use Add to Comparison to send your current result straight into the list.

Appliance Wattage Reference Table Typical Values

Typical wattage for common household appliances. Real-world draw varies by model, size, and age — check the nameplate for an exact figure. Search by name or category, or tap Use to load a value straight into the calculator above.

Appliance	Category	Typical Wattage
LED Light Bulb	Lighting	7–12 W
Incandescent Light Bulb	Lighting	40–100 W
Ceiling Fan	Lighting	15–75 W
Central Air Conditioner	Heating & Cooling	2,500–6,000 W
Window AC Unit	Heating & Cooling	900–1,500 W
Portable Space Heater	Heating & Cooling	750–1,500 W
Dehumidifier	Heating & Cooling	200–750 W
Refrigerator (running avg.)	Kitchen	100–250 W
Electric Range / Oven	Kitchen	2,000–5,000 W
Microwave Oven	Kitchen	750–1,500 W
Dishwasher	Kitchen	1,200–2,000 W
Electric Kettle	Kitchen	1,000–1,500 W
Toaster	Kitchen	700–1,500 W
Coffee Maker	Kitchen	600–1,200 W
Washing Machine	Laundry	400–1,500 W
Clothes Dryer	Laundry	1,800–5,000 W
Clothes Iron	Laundry	750–1,800 W
Desktop Computer	Electronics	100–250 W
Laptop Computer	Electronics	30–65 W
LED TV (55-in.)	Electronics	60–150 W
Phone Charger	Electronics	5–20 W
Electric Water Heater (40-gal.)	Water Heating	3,000–5,500 W
Tankless Electric Water Heater	Water Heating	10,000–27,000 W
EV Charger, Level 2	Other	3,800–11,500 W
Hair Dryer	Other	750–2,000 W
Pool Pump	Other	1,000–2,000 W

No appliance matched your search. Try a different keyword.

Values are typical running wattage ranges, not nameplate maximums. Cyclic appliances (refrigerators, water heaters, HVAC) draw their full wattage only while actively running, not continuously — use the lower end of the range for a more realistic estimate unless you've measured your own unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate how much it costs to run an appliance?

Multiply the appliance's wattage by the hours it runs per day, divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours, then multiply by your electricity rate: Cost = (Watts ÷ 1,000) × Hours × Rate per kWh. This calculator does that math automatically and also scales the result to monthly and yearly totals.

What is the average electricity rate per kilowatt-hour in the US?

The U.S. national average residential rate is roughly 17 to 18 cents per kilowatt-hour as of 2026, though it varies enormously by state — from around 10 to 12 cents in states like North Dakota and Utah to over 35 cents in Hawaii. Always check your own utility bill for your exact rate, since delivery and tax charges can change the effective price you pay.

Where do I find an appliance's wattage?

Check the nameplate or label on the back, bottom, or inside of the appliance, or its owner's manual or spec sheet. If only volts and amps are listed instead of watts, switch this calculator to Volts × Amps mode and it will compute the wattage for you.

What is the difference between watts and kilowatt-hours?

Watts measure the rate of power an appliance draws while it's running, similar to speed. Kilowatt-hours measure total energy consumed over time, similar to distance traveled. Utilities bill in kilowatt-hours because that reflects how much energy was actually used, not just how fast it could be used.

Why is my electric bill higher than I expect?

Appliances that run continuously or cycle frequently, such as refrigerators, water heaters, and HVAC systems, often account for the largest share of a bill even though their wattage looks modest compared to short-use items like hair dryers or toasters. Standby power drawn by devices left plugged in can also add up over a full month.

How accurate is this calculator?

It gives a close estimate based on the wattage, hours, and rate you provide, but real appliances rarely draw a perfectly constant load — compressors, thermostats, and variable-speed motors cycle on and off. For the most accurate figure, use a plug-in power meter to measure real-world usage, or compare your result against your actual utility bill.

How do I compare the cost of multiple appliances at once?

Open the Compare Appliances section below the main calculator and add up to six appliances with their wattage and usage time. The tool totals the monthly cost and shows a pie chart breaking down each appliance's share, so you can see at a glance which devices cost the most to run.