How many watts does a Wi-Fi router use?
Most Wi-Fi routers use 5–20 watts while running (typically about 10 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $1.33 a month ($15.91 a year).
Cost to run a Wi-Fi router: 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Champion Power Equipment generator wattage chart | 10–20 W | — |
| EcoFlow appliance wattage chart | 5–20 W | — |
Will a power station run it?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical Wi-Fi router for about 85.0 hours (assuming 85% conversion efficiency). Look for at least 20 W continuous output. Check your power station or generator →
Cost by state
Based on 10 W for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (88 kWh/yr).
Cost to run a Wi-Fi router in every state
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $1.19 | $14.31 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $2.15 | $25.76 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $1.10 | $13.18 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $1.05 | $12.59 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $2.17 | $26.06 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1.25 | $15.04 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $1.79 | $21.47 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1.37 | $16.38 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1.90 | $22.76 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $1.09 | $13.13 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $1.16 | $13.93 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $3.44 | $41.33 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $0.98 | $11.71 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1.41 | $16.92 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1.24 | $14.91 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1.25 | $14.94 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1.13 | $13.55 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $1.01 | $12.09 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $0.94 | $11.27 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $2.34 | $28.13 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1.56 | $18.75 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2.23 | $26.70 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $1.68 | $20.14 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1.26 | $15.07 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $1.05 | $12.64 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1.17 | $14.03 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1.14 | $13.64 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $0.99 | $11.86 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $0.93 | $11.14 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2.02 | $24.21 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1.80 | $21.56 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1.21 | $14.46 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2.09 | $25.10 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $1.09 | $13.10 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $0.97 | $11.66 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1.41 | $16.98 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $1.08 | $12.98 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1.16 | $13.95 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1.59 | $19.07 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2.06 | $24.69 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $1.15 | $13.81 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1.11 | $13.27 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $0.98 | $11.76 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $1.16 | $13.94 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $0.97 | $11.66 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $1.74 | $20.88 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1.29 | $15.45 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1.07 | $12.82 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1.19 | $14.29 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1.42 | $17.00 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1.05 | $12.64 |
FAQ
How many watts does a Wi-Fi router use?
Most Wi-Fi routers use 5–20 watts while running (typically about 10 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $1.33 a month ($15.91 a year).
How much does it cost to run a Wi-Fi router?
About $1.33 a month at the U.S. average rate (18.16¢/kWh, August 2026), based on 10 W for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (88 kWh/yr). In the cheapest state it's about $0.93 a month; in the most expensive, $3.44.
How many kWh does a Wi-Fi router use?
About 88 kWh a year (7 kWh a month), based on 10 W for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (88 kWh/yr).
Can a power station or generator run a Wi-Fi router?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical Wi-Fi router for about 85.0 hours. Look for at least 20 W continuous output.