How many watts does an LED light bulb use?
Most LED light bulbs use 8–15 watts while running (typically about 10 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $0.28 a month ($3.31 a year).
Cost to run an LED light bulb: 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 | 8–15 W | — |
| EcoFlow appliance wattage chart | 10 W | — |
Will a power station run it?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical LED light bulb for about 85.0 hours (assuming 85% conversion efficiency). Look for at least 15 W continuous output. Check your power station or generator →
Cost by state
Based on 10 W for 5 hours a day, 365 days a year (18 kWh/yr).
Cost to run an LED light bulb in every state
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $0.25 | $2.98 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $0.45 | $5.37 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $0.23 | $2.75 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $0.22 | $2.62 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $0.45 | $5.43 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $0.26 | $3.13 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $0.37 | $4.47 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $0.28 | $3.41 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $0.40 | $4.74 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $0.23 | $2.74 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $0.24 | $2.90 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $0.72 | $8.61 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $0.20 | $2.44 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $0.29 | $3.53 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $0.26 | $3.11 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $0.26 | $3.11 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $0.24 | $2.82 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $0.21 | $2.52 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $0.20 | $2.35 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $0.49 | $5.86 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $0.33 | $3.91 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $0.46 | $5.56 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $0.35 | $4.20 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $0.26 | $3.14 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $0.22 | $2.63 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $0.24 | $2.92 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $0.24 | $2.84 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $0.21 | $2.47 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $0.19 | $2.32 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $0.42 | $5.04 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $0.37 | $4.49 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $0.25 | $3.01 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $0.44 | $5.23 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $0.23 | $2.73 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $0.20 | $2.43 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $0.29 | $3.54 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $0.23 | $2.70 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $0.24 | $2.91 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $0.33 | $3.97 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $0.43 | $5.14 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $0.24 | $2.88 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $0.23 | $2.76 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $0.20 | $2.45 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $0.24 | $2.90 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $0.20 | $2.43 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $0.36 | $4.35 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $0.27 | $3.22 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $0.22 | $2.67 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $0.25 | $2.98 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $0.30 | $3.54 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $0.22 | $2.63 |
FAQ
How many watts does an LED light bulb use?
Most LED light bulbs use 8–15 watts while running (typically about 10 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $0.28 a month ($3.31 a year).
How much does it cost to run an LED light bulb?
About $0.28 a month at the U.S. average rate (18.16¢/kWh, August 2026), based on 10 W for 5 hours a day, 365 days a year (18 kWh/yr). In the cheapest state it's about $0.19 a month; in the most expensive, $0.72.
How many kWh does an LED light bulb use?
About 18 kWh a year (2 kWh a month), based on 10 W for 5 hours a day, 365 days a year (18 kWh/yr).
Can a power station or generator run an LED light bulb?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical LED light bulb for about 85.0 hours. Look for at least 15 W continuous output.