Precision Utility
Electricity Cost
Calculator
Billing
kWh Pricing
US Average
16¢/kWh Avg
Find out exactly how much any appliance costs to run. Enter the power rating in watts, hours of daily use, your electricity rate and the number of days — the calculator shows your total cost in dollars along with daily, monthly and yearly breakdowns. Uses kWh pricing, the standard billing unit for US electricity providers.
Appliance Details
Total Cost
$0.00
Daily Cost
$0.00
Monthly Cost
$0.00
Yearly Cost
$0.00
kWh Used
0.00
How the electricity cost calculator works
Enter the power consumption of your appliance in watts — you can find this on the product label or in the manual. Set the number of hours per day you use it and the number of days you want to calculate for. The rate field is pre-filled with 16 cents per kWh, the US national average, but you should enter your actual rate from your utility bill for accurate results.
The calculator converts watts to kilowatts, multiplies by hours and days to get total kilowatt-hours consumed, then multiplies by your rate to get the cost. The formula is: kWh = (watts x hours x days) / 1,000, then Cost = kWh x rate.
You get four results: the total cost for the period you specified, the daily cost, the projected 30-day monthly cost, and the projected yearly cost. The kWh panel shows total energy consumed, which is the same unit your utility company uses on your bill.
Adjust the sliders to compare different scenarios — like running an appliance fewer hours or switching to a lower-wattage alternative. This makes it easy to spot the biggest energy costs in your home and find ways to save.
US electricity rates and what affects your bill
Electricity prices in the United States vary dramatically by state and provider. Key facts for 2025:
- The national average residential rate is approximately 16 cents per kWh
- The cheapest states include Louisiana, Idaho, and Utah at around 10-12 cents per kWh
- The most expensive states include Hawaii (40+ cents), Connecticut, and Massachusetts (25-30 cents)
- Time-of-use (TOU) plans charge different rates depending on when you use electricity — peak hours cost more
- The average US household consumes about 10,500 kWh per year, costing roughly $1,680 annually
Your actual rate appears on your utility bill, usually listed as a per-kWh charge. Some bills also include demand charges, delivery fees, and taxes that aren't captured in the simple per-kWh rate. For the most accurate estimate, use your total bill divided by total kWh consumed that month.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the electricity cost of an appliance?
Multiply the appliance wattage by the hours used per day, then multiply by the number of days. Divide by 1,000 to convert to kilowatt-hours (kWh), then multiply by your electricity rate in dollars per kWh. For example, a 1,000W appliance running 8 hours a day for 30 days uses 240 kWh, costing $38.40 at 16 cents per kWh.
What is the average electricity rate in the US?
The average US residential electricity rate is approximately 16 cents per kWh as of 2025. Rates vary significantly by state — Hawaii is the most expensive at over 40 cents per kWh, while states like Louisiana and Idaho are closer to 10-12 cents. Check your utility bill for your exact rate.
How much does it cost to run a space heater all day?
A typical 1,500W space heater running 24 hours costs about $5.76 per day at the US average rate of 16 cents per kWh. That works out to roughly $172.80 per month. Running it for just 8 hours a day cuts the cost to about $1.92 per day or $57.60 per month.
How many watts does a typical US household use?
The average US household uses about 10,500 kWh per year, which works out to roughly 1.2 kW of continuous average draw. Peak usage is much higher — running an air conditioner, dryer, and oven at the same time can pull 10,000+ watts. Individual appliance wattage varies widely.
How do I find the wattage of my appliance?
Check the label on the back or bottom of the appliance — it usually lists watts (W) or amps and volts. If only amps are listed, multiply amps by volts (typically 120V for US outlets) to get watts. You can also use a plug-in power meter like a Kill A Watt for an exact reading.
What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?
A kilowatt-hour is the standard unit for measuring electricity consumption. It equals 1,000 watts used for one hour. A 100W light bulb running for 10 hours uses 1 kWh. Your utility company charges you per kWh consumed, which is the number you see on your electricity bill.