How Much Does A Laptop Cost to Run?
A laptop typically uses 60 watts. At 6 hours a day and $0.175/kWh, it costs about $0.063 per day, $1.89 per month and $23.00 per year.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.0110.06 kWh
- Per day
- $0.0630.36 kWh
- Per week
- $0.4412.52 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $1.8910.8 kWh
- Per year
- $23.00131 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 60-watt laptop cost per hour?
At $0.175/kWh, it costs $0.011 per hour. The maths: 60 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.06 kWh per hour, × $0.175 = $0.011.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 6 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $1.89 per month and uses 10.8 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
0.36 kWh per day, 10.8 kWh per month and 131 kWh per year at 6 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.
How can I lower the cost?
Unplug the charger once the battery is full. Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.
Does my electricity rate change the answer?
Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $1.08 and at 30¢ it is $3.24. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.
Cost by hours of use
| Used per day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.06 kWh | $0.011 | $0.315 | $3.83 |
| 2 hours | 0.12 kWh | $0.021 | $0.63 | $7.67 |
| 3 hours | 0.18 kWh | $0.032 | $0.945 | $11.50 |
| 4 hours | 0.24 kWh | $0.042 | $1.26 | $15.33 |
| 5 hours | 0.3 kWh | $0.053 | $1.58 | $19.16 |
| 6 hours | 0.36 kWh | $0.063 | $1.89 | $23.00 |
| 7 hours | 0.42 kWh | $0.074 | $2.21 | $26.83 |
| 8 hours | 0.48 kWh | $0.084 | $2.52 | $30.66 |
| 9 hours | 0.54 kWh | $0.095 | $2.84 | $34.49 |
| 10 hours | 0.6 kWh | $0.105 | $3.15 | $38.33 |
| 11 hours | 0.66 kWh | $0.116 | $3.47 | $42.16 |
| 12 hours | 0.72 kWh | $0.126 | $3.78 | $45.99 |
| 13 hours | 0.78 kWh | $0.137 | $4.10 | $49.82 |
| 14 hours | 0.84 kWh | $0.147 | $4.41 | $53.66 |
| 15 hours | 0.9 kWh | $0.158 | $4.73 | $57.49 |
| 16 hours | 0.96 kWh | $0.168 | $5.04 | $61.32 |
| 17 hours | 1.02 kWh | $0.179 | $5.36 | $65.15 |
| 18 hours | 1.08 kWh | $0.189 | $5.67 | $68.99 |
| 19 hours | 1.14 kWh | $0.20 | $5.99 | $72.82 |
| 20 hours | 1.2 kWh | $0.21 | $6.30 | $76.65 |
| 21 hours | 1.26 kWh | $0.221 | $6.62 | $80.48 |
| 22 hours | 1.32 kWh | $0.231 | $6.93 | $84.32 |
| 23 hours | 1.38 kWh | $0.242 | $7.25 | $88.15 |
| 24 hours | 1.44 kWh | $0.252 | $7.56 | $91.98 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 60 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.06 kWh
- Cost per hour: 0.06 kWh × $0.175 = $0.011
- Cost per day: × 6 hours = $0.063
- Month and year: × 30 days = $1.89, × 365 days = $23.00
What it costs in different places
Same 60-watt laptop, 6 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $1.89 |
| California | $0.32 | $3.46 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $1.67 |
| New York | $0.25 | $2.70 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $1.67 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $1.84 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $1.94 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $1.84 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $1.24 |
About laptop running costs
Laptops are far more efficient than desktops. The charger rating is the maximum, not what it uses day to day.
Typical sizes: 45 W, 60 W, 90 W, 120 W.
How to spend less: Unplug the charger once the battery is full.
What this estimate assumes
- The appliance draws its full stated wattage the whole time it is on. Real units with a thermostat cycle off and cost less.
- Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
- The rate is an approximate residential average. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
- A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.