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APPLIANCE kWh & RUNNING COST

Electricity Cost Calculator

Calculate how much any appliance costs to run using its wattage, operating time and your electricity rate. See estimated daily, monthly and annual energy usage in kWh and running cost.

Formula-Based Estimates
Works worldwide
Private by Design
Free to use

⚠️Estimates exclude fixed provider charges, tiered tariffs, and local taxes. For precise forecasting, enter the exact rate from your utility bill.

Need to convert watts, kW or kWh? Use the Power & Energy Unit Converter.

Enter your appliance details

Fill out the parameters on the left to calculate the estimated cost of running your appliance.

Monthly Cost
--
Estimated yearly cost: --/year
Monthly Energy
-- kWh
Daily energy: -- kWh/day
Cost Impact
--
Enter details to see impact.
Usage Pattern
--
Enter details to see pattern.

What If You Change Usage?

Adjust hours per day to see the cost difference and potential savings.

Target Usage-- Hours / Day
1h24h

Annual Cost Difference

Compared with your current usage, your annual electricity cost would:

--
Compared with your current usage.
Monthly Cost
--
Yearly Cost
--
Monthly Energy
-- kWh

Energy Consumption Analysis

Enter details to see analysis.

Reference Appliance Comparison

Enter details to see comparison.

Savings Opportunity

Enter details to see savings.

Appliance Benchmarks

❄️

Refrigerator

-- / mo
~4.32 kWh / day
Reference appliance
📺

Television

-- / mo
~1.5 kWh / day
Reference appliance
💡

LED Lighting

-- / mo
~0.2 kWh / day
Reference appliance
🔥

Space Heater

-- / mo
~12.0 kWh / day
Reference appliance

Calculation Methodology

We use industry-standard formulas to convert appliance wattage into billable kilowatt-hours.

(Power (W) / 1000) × Hours (h) = kWh
⚡
Power
-- W
×
⏱️
Usage
-- h/day
=
🔋
Energy
-- kWh/day
×
💵
Rate
--
=
💲
Cost
--

Want to understand what drives your electricity bill?

Analyze your complete household electricity usage.

Start Home Audit

How the Electricity Cost Calculator Works

The electricity cost calculator estimates appliance energy use and running cost from the appliance's power in watts, estimated operating time and your electricity rate per kWh.

By entering your appliance details and electricity price, you can estimate daily, monthly and annual electricity usage and running cost.

The calculator uses these standard electricity-use formulas to find your appliance electricity cost:

  • Energy used (kWh) = Watts × Hours ÷ 1,000
  • Electricity cost = Energy used (kWh) × Electricity rate per kWh

By entering your specific appliance details and electricity price, you can calculate electricity cost and estimate your true appliance running cost.

How to Calculate Electricity Cost from Watts

Calculating the electricity cost of any electrical device involves a simple process:

  1. Find the appliance wattage, usually located on its label or in the user manual.
  2. Convert the watts to kilowatts by dividing by 1,000 when necessary.
  3. Multiply the kilowatts by your estimated operating hours to find your kWh.
  4. Multiply the resulting kWh by your electricity rate to find the cost.
  5. Scale the result to estimate daily, monthly or annual electricity usage.

How to Find an Appliance’s Wattage

You can find an appliance's wattage rating in several places:

  • The appliance rating label (often on the back or bottom)
  • The power adapter
  • The product manual or manufacturer website
  • The appliance's energy label
  • A plug-in electricity meter

Keep in mind that actual consumption can differ from the maximum rated wattage. Appliances that cycle or use thermostats typically use less energy than their peak rating.

Understanding Units & Final Costs

Watts, kW and kWh

To accurately understand your usage, it is important to distinguish between power and energy:

  • Watts measure instantaneous power.
  • 1 kilowatt equals 1,000 watts.
  • kWh (kilowatt-hour) measures energy consumed over time.

In many regions, one electricity unit refers to one kWh. Remember that 1 kW is not the same as one electricity unit. However, a 1 kW appliance running continuously for one hour uses exactly 1 kWh (one unit) of energy.

Estimates vs Final Bills

Operating frequency significantly changes your overall cost. Occasional use might barely affect your bill, while daily use adds up quickly. The calculator allows you to provide estimated monthly and annual usage and cost.

Note that these estimates may differ from your actual utility bills. Your final bills often include fixed charges, taxes, tiered tariff slabs, time-of-use rates, demand charges, and other utility fees. Enter your applicable rate per kWh for the most accurate estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I calculate the cost of electricity?
You can calculate the cost of electricity by multiplying your appliance's wattage by its operating hours, dividing by 1,000 to get the kWh, and then multiplying that total by your local rate per kWh. Using an electricity cost calculator is the easiest way to quickly determine both daily and annual expenses.
2. What is the cost of 1 kWh of electricity?
The cost of 1 kWh of electricity varies depending on your location, utility provider, and specific tariff plan. Check your recent electricity bill to find your exact rate per kWh, or enter your region in the calculator above to see typical average rates.
3. Is 1 kW equal to one unit of electricity?
No, 1 kW measures instantaneous power, while one unit of electricity commonly means one kWh, which measures energy consumed over time. However, if a 1 kW appliance runs continuously for one hour, it will use exactly one kWh (one unit) of electricity.
4. How much does it cost to run an air conditioner for one hour?
The cost to run an air conditioner for one hour depends on its wattage and your electricity rate. Since air conditioners cycle their compressors on and off, they rarely run at peak wattage for the entire hour. Enter your AC's wattage and local rate into the calculator to get a specific estimate.
5. How much does 200 units of electricity cost?
The cost of 200 units of electricity cannot be universal without knowing the local electricity rate. To calculate it, multiply 200 by your utility's rate per kWh. Keep in mind that tariff slabs, taxes, and fixed charges may also affect the final billed amount. For context in places like India where units and rupees are commonly discussed, the cost depends on the specific state tariff.
6. How many kWh are in 200 units of electricity?
There are exactly 200 kWh in 200 units of electricity. The term "unit" is commonly used interchangeably with kilowatt-hour (kWh) in standard billing contexts around the world.
7. Is 20 units of electricity per day a lot?
Using 20 units (20 kWh) per day amounts to about 600 units per month, which is moderate to slightly high for a small apartment, but quite normal for a larger family home running multiple appliances like air conditioners, heat pumps, or an electric water heater. Consider using our Home Energy Usage Calculator for a full household assessment.
8. Why does my calculated appliance cost differ from my electricity bill?
Your calculated appliance cost may differ from your final bill because utility bills typically include fixed daily supply charges, taxes, and sometimes demand charges. Additionally, your actual usage hours or the appliance's power cycling might vary from the estimates entered into the calculator.
9. How do I calculate daily, monthly and annual electricity cost?
Once you calculate the daily electricity cost (daily kWh × rate per kWh), you can estimate the monthly cost by multiplying the daily total by the number of days you use it per month (or by 30 for daily use). For the annual cost, multiply the monthly estimate by 12, or the daily estimate by 365.
10. Does electricity cost depend on the tariff or rate per kWh?
Yes, your electricity cost is directly tied to the tariff or rate per kWh set by your provider. Some tariffs charge a flat rate, while others change the price based on total usage (tiered slabs) or the time of day the energy is used (time-of-use pricing).

How Much Does an Appliance Cost to Run?

Appliance running cost depends entirely on its wattage, duration of use, and your electricity rate. A small light bulb left on 24/7 may cost more annually than a high-wattage appliance used for just a few minutes a day.

The calculator includes selected appliance examples with typical wattage estimates. We encourage you to enter the exact appliance wattage found on the device's label and your local rate for the most accurate calculation.

Popular Appliance Examples

❄️
Air Conditioner
♨️
Hot Tub
🏊
Pool Pump
🐠
Fish Tank
🎮
Gaming PC
💻
Desktop Computer
🌱
Grow Light
💡
Light Bulb
🖨️
3D Printer
🖥️
Server

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For information about our formulas, assumptions, and estimate limitations, please read our Methodology.