Electricity Cost Calculator

Estimate what any appliance or device costs to run per day, month, and year from its wattage, hours of use, and your electricity rate.

W
On the label or power supply. Space heater 1,500 W, refrigerator 150 W, LED bulb 10 W, gaming PC 400 W.
hrs
days
Fills in the average residential price for that state (EIA, June 2026). Edit the rate below if your bill shows a different one.
¢/kWh
Monthly Cost
--
Daily Cost
--
Yearly Cost
--
Energy per Day
--
Energy per Month
--
Energy per Year
--

With the default inputs (Power rating 1500; Hours used per day 4; Days used per month 30; Number of devices 1; Electricity rate 18.34; State U.S. average (18.34¢/kWh)), this calculator returns Monthly Cost $33.01, Daily Cost $1.10 and Yearly Cost $401.65.

How power rating changes the result

Every row is computed with this page's own calculator. Change the inputs above to model your own numbers.

Monthly Cost by power rating (other inputs held at: Hours used per day 4; Days used per month 30; Number of devices 1; Electricity rate 18.34; State U.S. average (18.34¢/kWh))
Power ratingMonthly CostEnergy per Month
10 W$0.221.2 kWh
60 W$1.327.2 kWh
100 W$2.2012.0 kWh
500 W$11.0060.0 kWh
1,000 W$22.01120.0 kWh
1,500 W$33.01180.0 kWh
3,000 W$66.02360.0 kWh

Key Takeaways

  • Wattage, running time, device count, and electricity rate determine estimated operating cost.
  • The default device uses 6.00 kWh per day and 180.0 kWh monthly.
  • At 18.34 cents per kWh, the estimated monthly cost is $33.01.
  • Thermostats and standby modes can make label wattage exceed average power consumption.

How to Use This Electricity Cost Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate how much electricity one or more appliances consume and what that energy costs. Enter the device's power rating in watts, the number of hours it runs each day, the number of days it operates per month, and the number of identical devices.

Enter the electricity rate in cents per kilowatt-hour, or select a state rate. The default U.S. average residential electricity price is 18.34 cents per kWh for June 2026. The state choices use rates from the same EIA table.

The results show energy use and cost by day, month, and year. These time periods make it easier to compare occasional devices with equipment that runs regularly.

How the Math Works

Watts measure power, while kilowatt-hours measure energy used over time. Dividing by 1,000 converts watt-hours to kilowatt-hours. A device rated at 1,000 watts and operated for one hour uses exactly one kilowatt-hour.

kWh per day = watts x hours per day x devices / 1,000. Cost = kWh x (rate in cents / 100).
  • kWh per day is daily electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours.
  • Watts is the power rating of one device.
  • Hours per day is the device's daily running time.
  • Devices is the number of identical units included.
  • Rate is the electricity price in cents per kWh.

Monthly energy multiplies daily energy by days used per month. Yearly estimates extend daily use across the corresponding annual period.

Example Calculation

The default example uses a 1500 watt device for 4 hours per day, 30 days per month, with 1 device. The selected state option is U.S. average (18.34¢/kWh), and the entered electricity rate is 18.34 cents per kWh.

Multiplying 1500 watts by 4 hours and dividing by 1,000 gives the displayed daily consumption. Applying the selected rate produces the operating costs. The results are Monthly Cost: $33.01, Daily Cost: $1.10, and Yearly Cost: $401.65.

The corresponding consumption results are Energy per Day: 6.00 kWh, Energy per Month: 180.0 kWh, and Energy per Year: 2,190 kWh.

Tips for Getting the Most From This Calculator

  • Use measured running time rather than the total time a device remains plugged in.
  • Check the device label or documentation for its wattage.
  • Enter the rate from a recent utility bill when available.
  • Adjust the number of monthly operating days for seasonal or occasional equipment.
  • Calculate identical devices together, but calculate devices with different wattages separately.

For equipment that cycles on and off, estimate actual active hours. Refrigerators, heaters, televisions, and other devices with thermostats or standby modes may draw less than label wattage on average.

Important Considerations

A label wattage commonly represents a maximum rather than continuous average demand. Operating settings, cycling, standby behavior, age, and usage patterns can therefore change actual consumption. The result is an estimate based on the values entered, not a prediction of the complete utility bill.

To estimate a household bill with fixed charges, taxes, and fees, use the Electric Bill Calculator. To convert power and operating time directly into energy, use the Watts to kWh Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate the electricity cost of an appliance?
Multiply the appliance wattage by daily running hours and the number of devices, then divide by 1,000 to find daily kWh. Multiply kWh by the electricity rate expressed in dollars. Monthly cost also depends on the number of operating days entered.
Should I use the wattage printed on the device label?
The label is a practical starting point, but it may show maximum power rather than average consumption. Devices with thermostats, variable settings, or standby modes can draw less on average. For a closer estimate, use measured average wattage or adjust running hours to reflect active operation.
What electricity rate should I enter?
Use the energy rate shown on a recent utility bill when possible. The default is the June 2026 U.S. average residential price of 18.34 cents per kWh. A state selection provides a broader reference, but an individual utility plan may charge a different rate.
Does this calculation include utility taxes and fixed charges?
No. It estimates the device's energy cost from kWh consumption and the entered electricity rate. A utility bill can also include fixed customer charges, taxes, fees, tiered pricing, or time-of-use pricing. Those items are not allocated to an individual appliance here.
Why might actual appliance electricity use be lower than the estimate?
Many appliances do not draw their rated power continuously. A heater may cycle after reaching its target temperature, while a television may use less power in certain modes. Actual running time, settings, standby behavior, and cycling can all reduce consumption relative to a maximum-wattage calculation.