Electricity Cost Calculator

Enter device wattage, daily usage hours and electricity rate to see daily, monthly and yearly costs. Add multiple devices for a total estimate. Runs locally.

Updated July 11, 2026

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Electricity Rate

$per kWh

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Formula Reference

Daily energy (kWh) = Watts (W) x Hours per day / 1000

Daily cost = Daily energy (kWh) x Rate ($/kWh)

Monthly cost = Daily cost x Days per month

Yearly cost = Monthly cost x 12

How to use

  1. 1

    Enter device wattage and daily usage.

  2. 2

    Enter your electricity rate.

  3. 3

    See daily, monthly and yearly costs.

How it works

Why kW and kWh are different

Power (watts, W) is an instantaneous rate — how fast energy flows right now. Energy (kilowatt-hours, kWh) is power accumulated over time: a 1000 W heater running for one hour consumes 1 kWh.

Your utility bill is denominated in kWh because that is the quantity of energy delivered, not the rate at which it was drawn. This is why a hair dryer (1,500 W) used for 5 minutes costs far less than a refrigerator (150 W) running all month — the fridge accumulates vastly more kWh despite its lower wattage.

  • 1 kWh = 1,000 watts sustained for 1 hour (or any equivalent product)
  • Nameplate wattage is usually a max — typical draw is lower
  • Standby ("vampire") draw of 1–5 W per device adds up across a whole home

How this is calculated

Formula:
Energy (kWh) = power (W) × time (h) ÷ 1000. Cost = kWh × electricity rate ($/kWh).
Applies to:
Reference rates; confirm with your local utility and tariff.

Wattage labels are typically nameplate maxima — real-world draw is often lower and varies with load. Electricity rates vary by provider, time of use (peak/off-peak), tier, and currency. Results are estimates for comparison only; not financial advice. Verify actual figures on your utility bill or with your provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default electricity rate?
It defaults to $0.12/kWh. Adjust to match your local rate.
Can I add multiple devices?
Yes. Add as many devices as you need for a total cost estimate.

References & further reading

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