How many watts does a laptop use?
Most laptops use 30–100 watts while running (typically about 60 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $2.65 a month ($31.82 a year).
Cost to run a laptop: calculator
Running vs starting watts
Running watts are what it draws while operating; they drive your electricity bill. It has no significant start-up surge, so size a generator or power station on running watts alone.
| Source | Running | Starting |
|---|---|---|
| Generac generator wattage worksheet (PDF) | 75 W | — |
| EcoFlow appliance wattage chart | 30–120 W | — |
| U.S. DOE Energy Saver, typical appliance wattages (archived) | 50 W | — |
| Champion Power Equipment generator wattage chart | 20–100 W | — |
Will a power station run it?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical laptop for about 14.2 hours (assuming 85% conversion efficiency). Look for at least 100 W continuous output. Check your power station or generator →
Cost by state
Based on 60 W for 8 hours a day, 365 days a year (175 kWh/yr).
Cost to run a laptop in every state
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $2.38 | $28.61 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $4.29 | $51.53 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $2.20 | $26.37 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $2.10 | $25.18 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $4.34 | $52.12 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $2.51 | $30.08 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $3.58 | $42.94 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $2.73 | $32.76 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $3.79 | $45.52 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $2.19 | $26.26 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $2.32 | $27.86 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $6.89 | $82.66 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1.95 | $23.42 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $2.82 | $33.85 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $2.48 | $29.82 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $2.49 | $29.89 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $2.26 | $27.10 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $2.01 | $24.18 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $1.88 | $22.55 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $4.69 | $56.26 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $3.12 | $37.49 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $4.45 | $53.40 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $3.36 | $40.28 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $2.51 | $30.13 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $2.11 | $25.28 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $2.34 | $28.07 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $2.27 | $27.28 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1.98 | $23.72 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $1.86 | $22.29 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $4.04 | $48.43 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $3.59 | $43.12 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $2.41 | $28.93 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $4.18 | $50.19 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $2.18 | $26.19 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1.94 | $23.32 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $2.83 | $33.95 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $2.16 | $25.96 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $2.32 | $27.89 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $3.18 | $38.14 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $4.11 | $49.37 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $2.30 | $27.61 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $2.21 | $26.54 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $1.96 | $23.51 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $2.32 | $27.87 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1.94 | $23.32 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $3.48 | $41.77 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $2.58 | $30.91 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $2.14 | $25.63 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $2.38 | $28.58 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $2.83 | $34.01 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $2.11 | $25.28 |
FAQ
How many watts does a laptop use?
Most laptops use 30–100 watts while running (typically about 60 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $2.65 a month ($31.82 a year).
How much does it cost to run a laptop?
About $2.65 a month at the U.S. average rate (18.16¢/kWh, August 2026), based on 60 W for 8 hours a day, 365 days a year (175 kWh/yr). In the cheapest state it's about $1.86 a month; in the most expensive, $6.89.
How many kWh does a laptop use?
About 175 kWh a year (15 kWh a month), based on 60 W for 8 hours a day, 365 days a year (175 kWh/yr).
Can a power station or generator run a laptop?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical laptop for about 14.2 hours. Look for at least 100 W continuous output.