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How much does it cost to run a laptop?
Typical wattage
50 W
Cost per hour
$0.01
at 18.16¢/kWh (US avg)
Energy per hour
0.05 kWh
A laptop typically draws 50 W. At the US average residential rate of 18.16¢ per kWh (12-month average to August 2026), that is about $0.01 for every hour it runs at full power.
Single typical figure from the source.
Cost per day and per month
| Use per day | kWh per day | Cost per day | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.05 | $0.01 | $0.28 |
| 2 hours | 0.10 | $0.02 | $0.55 |
| 4 hours | 0.20 | $0.04 | $1.10 |
| 8 hours | 0.40 | $0.07 | $2.21 |
Scenarios show full-power hours. Appliances with thermostats or cycling compressors draw full power for only part of the time they are switched on.
Cost per hour by state
| State | Rate (12-mo) | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $0.01 |
| Alaska | 26.94¢ | $0.01 |
| Arizona | 15.39¢ | $0.01 |
| Arkansas | 13.57¢ | $0.01 |
| California | 32.34¢ | $0.02 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $0.01 |
| Connecticut | 27.42¢ | $0.01 |
| Delaware | 17.98¢ | $0.01 |
| District of Columbia | 24.48¢ | $0.01 |
| Florida | 15.41¢ | $0.01 |
| Georgia | 15.17¢ | $0.01 |
| Hawaii | 44.27¢ | $0.02 |
| Idaho | 12.77¢ | $0.01 |
| Illinois | 18.91¢ | $0.01 |
| Indiana | 16.90¢ | $0.01 |
| Iowa | 14.20¢ | $0.01 |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $0.01 |
| Kentucky | 13.94¢ | $0.01 |
| Louisiana | 13.02¢ | $0.01 |
| Maine | 29.60¢ | $0.01 |
| Maryland | 21.18¢ | $0.01 |
| Massachusetts | 30.39¢ | $0.02 |
| Michigan | 21.28¢ | $0.01 |
| Minnesota | 16.28¢ | $0.01 |
| Mississippi | 14.85¢ | $0.01 |
| Missouri | 13.97¢ | $0.01 |
| Montana | 13.94¢ | $0.01 |
| Nebraska | 12.74¢ | $0.01 |
| Nevada | 13.45¢ | $0.01 |
| New Hampshire | 26.95¢ | $0.01 |
| New Jersey | 23.74¢ | $0.01 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $0.01 |
| New York | 28.60¢ | $0.01 |
| North Carolina | 14.79¢ | $0.01 |
| North Dakota | 12.35¢ | $0.01 |
| Ohio | 18.41¢ | $0.01 |
| Oklahoma | 13.81¢ | $0.01 |
| Oregon | 15.53¢ | $0.01 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.86¢ | $0.01 |
| Rhode Island | 29.44¢ | $0.01 |
| South Carolina | 15.77¢ | $0.01 |
| South Dakota | 14.28¢ | $0.01 |
| Tennessee | 13.61¢ | $0.01 |
| Texas | 15.98¢ | $0.01 |
| Utah | 13.26¢ | $0.01 |
| Vermont | 23.90¢ | $0.01 |
| Virginia | 16.64¢ | $0.01 |
| Washington | 14.20¢ | $0.01 |
| West Virginia | 15.53¢ | $0.01 |
| Wisconsin | 18.79¢ | $0.01 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $0.01 |
Calculate with your own numbers
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a laptop use?
A typical laptop uses 50 W, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension. Check the label on your model.
How much does it cost to run a laptop per hour?
About $0.01 per hour at full power, at the US average rate of 18.16¢ per kWh.
How much does it cost to run a laptop for a month?
Running it 1 hour a day at full power costs about $0.28 a month at the US average rate. Your cost depends on your hours and your state's rate.
How many kWh does a laptop use?
About 0.05 kWh per hour at full power (watts ÷ 1,000).
How can I find my laptop's exact wattage?
Check the rating label or manual, or measure it with a plug-in electricity usage meter, which shows real watts and kWh.
Rates: EIA, 12-month residential average. Cost = watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × rate (US Department of Energy method).
Sources
- ENERGY SERIES: Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use (BSE-301NP), Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, 2020
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver – Estimating appliance and home electronic energy use
- U.S. Energy Information Administration – Monthly electric power industry report (Form EIA-861M)
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