How many watts does a TV use?
Most TVs use 50–200 watts while running (typically about 100 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $2.05 a month ($24.66 a year).
Cost to run a TV: calculator
Real data from 122 ENERGY STAR models
Median measured on-mode power: 93 W (most models 30–168 W). Older or non-certified models usually use more. Costs assume 4 h/day, 365 days/yr.
| Median | Cost at 18.16¢ | |
|---|---|---|
| 32" and under | 24 W | $6.36/yr |
| 40–43" | 63 W | $16.70/yr |
| 48–55" | 84 W | $22.27/yr |
| 58–65" | 117 W | $31.02/yr |
| 70–75" | 144 W | $38.18/yr |
| 77"+ | 170 W | $45.07/yr |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Champion Power Equipment generator wattage chart | 80–400 W | — |
| Generac generator wattage worksheet (PDF) | 120 W | — |
| EcoFlow appliance wattage chart | 70–200 W | — |
| U.S. DOE Energy Saver, typical appliance wattages (archived) | 65–133 W | — |
| ENERGY STAR certified models (10th–90th percentile, 122 models) | 30–168 W | — |
Will a power station run it?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical TV for about 8.5 hours (assuming 85% conversion efficiency). Look for at least 200 W continuous output. Check your power station or generator →
Cost by state
Based on the median ENERGY STAR model (93 W) for 4 hours a day, 365 days a year (136 kWh/yr).
Cost to run a TV in every state
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $1.85 | $22.17 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3.33 | $39.93 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $1.70 | $20.43 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $1.63 | $19.51 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $3.37 | $40.39 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1.94 | $23.31 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $2.77 | $33.28 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $2.12 | $25.39 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $2.94 | $35.28 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $1.70 | $20.35 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $1.80 | $21.59 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $5.34 | $64.06 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1.51 | $18.15 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $2.19 | $26.23 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1.93 | $23.11 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1.93 | $23.16 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1.75 | $21.01 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $1.56 | $18.74 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $1.46 | $17.47 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $3.63 | $43.60 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $2.42 | $29.06 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $3.45 | $41.39 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $2.60 | $31.22 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1.95 | $23.35 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $1.63 | $19.59 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1.81 | $21.75 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1.76 | $21.14 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1.53 | $18.38 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $1.44 | $17.27 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $3.13 | $37.53 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $2.78 | $33.42 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1.87 | $22.42 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $3.24 | $38.90 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $1.69 | $20.30 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1.51 | $18.07 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $2.19 | $26.31 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $1.68 | $20.12 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1.80 | $21.62 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $2.46 | $29.56 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $3.19 | $38.26 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $1.78 | $21.40 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1.71 | $20.57 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $1.52 | $18.22 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $1.80 | $21.60 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1.51 | $18.07 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2.70 | $32.37 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $2.00 | $23.95 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1.66 | $19.86 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1.85 | $22.15 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $2.20 | $26.35 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1.63 | $19.59 |
FAQ
How many watts does a TV use?
Most TVs use 50–200 watts while running (typically about 100 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $2.05 a month ($24.66 a year).
How much does it cost to run a TV?
About $2.05 a month at the U.S. average rate (18.16¢/kWh, August 2026), based on the median ENERGY STAR model (93 W) for 4 hours a day, 365 days a year (136 kWh/yr). In the cheapest state it's about $1.44 a month; in the most expensive, $5.34.
How many kWh does a TV use?
About 136 kWh a year (11 kWh a month), based on the median ENERGY STAR model (93 W) for 4 hours a day, 365 days a year (136 kWh/yr).
Can a power station or generator run a TV?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical TV for about 8.5 hours. Look for at least 200 W continuous output.