How many watts does a toaster use?
Most toasters use 800–1,500 watts while running (typically about 1,100 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $0.61 a month ($7.29 a year).
Cost to run a toaster: 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Honda generator wattage chart (PDF) | 1,050–1,650 W | — |
| Generac generator wattage worksheet (PDF) | 1,200 W | — |
| EcoFlow appliance wattage chart | 800–1,500 W | — |
| U.S. DOE Energy Saver, typical appliance wattages (archived) | 800–1,400 W | — |
Will a power station run it?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical toaster for about 0.8 hours (assuming 85% conversion efficiency). Look for at least 1,500 W continuous output. Check your power station or generator →
Cost by state
Based on 1,100 W for 6 minutes a day, 365 days a year (40 kWh/yr).
Cost to run a toaster in every state
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $0.55 | $6.56 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $0.98 | $11.81 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $0.50 | $6.04 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $0.48 | $5.77 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1.00 | $11.94 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $0.57 | $6.89 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $0.82 | $9.84 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $0.63 | $7.51 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $0.87 | $10.43 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $0.50 | $6.02 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $0.53 | $6.38 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $1.58 | $18.94 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $0.45 | $5.37 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $0.65 | $7.76 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $0.57 | $6.83 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $0.57 | $6.85 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $0.52 | $6.21 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $0.46 | $5.54 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $0.43 | $5.17 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $1.07 | $12.89 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $0.72 | $8.59 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $1.02 | $12.24 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $0.77 | $9.23 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $0.58 | $6.91 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $0.48 | $5.79 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $0.54 | $6.43 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $0.52 | $6.25 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $0.45 | $5.44 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $0.43 | $5.11 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $0.92 | $11.10 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $0.82 | $9.88 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $0.55 | $6.63 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $0.96 | $11.50 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $0.50 | $6.00 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $0.45 | $5.34 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $0.65 | $7.78 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $0.50 | $5.95 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $0.53 | $6.39 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $0.73 | $8.74 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $0.94 | $11.31 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $0.53 | $6.33 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $0.51 | $6.08 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $0.45 | $5.39 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $0.53 | $6.39 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $0.45 | $5.34 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $0.80 | $9.57 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $0.59 | $7.08 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $0.49 | $5.87 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $0.55 | $6.55 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $0.65 | $7.79 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $0.48 | $5.79 |
FAQ
How many watts does a toaster use?
Most toasters use 800–1,500 watts while running (typically about 1,100 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $0.61 a month ($7.29 a year).
How much does it cost to run a toaster?
About $0.61 a month at the U.S. average rate (18.16¢/kWh, August 2026), based on 1,100 W for 6 minutes a day, 365 days a year (40 kWh/yr). In the cheapest state it's about $0.43 a month; in the most expensive, $1.58.
How many kWh does a toaster use?
About 40 kWh a year (3 kWh a month), based on 1,100 W for 6 minutes a day, 365 days a year (40 kWh/yr).
Can a power station or generator run a toaster?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical toaster for about 0.8 hours. Look for at least 1,500 W continuous output.