How much does it cost to run a curling iron?
A curling iron costs about 0.9¢ per hour, 0.2¢ a day, $0.05 a month and $1 a year at typical use (20 minutes a day, 4 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Curling irons draw 25-150 W while heating, then cycle to hold temperature; energy cost is tiny.
Calculate your cost
Add as many devices as you like to compare them side by side. Search again to add another, or use Duplicate to compare two settings.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.03 | 0.5¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.06 | 1.0¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| 4 hours | 0.11 | 2.1¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| 8 hours | 0.23 | 4.1¢ | $1.25 | $15 |
| 12 hours | 0.34 | 6.2¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| 24 hours | 0.69 | 12¢ | $3.75 | $45 |
Cost to run a curling iron in every state
The same curling iron costs $0 a year in North Dakota and $1 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 1.5¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 1.5¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 1.5¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 1.6¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 2.2¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
How to cut the cost
- Use auto shut-off models and unplug right after use.
- Set 300-350°F for fine hair instead of max heat.
- Section hair before turning it on to cut heat-up idle time.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
No electricity and no heat damage.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curling iron | 50 | 20 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.05 | $1 |
| Flat iron | 60 | 20 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.06 | $1 |
| Hair dryer | 1,800 | 9 minutes a day | $1.48 | $18 |
| Hot air brush | 1,100 | 15 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.86 | $10 |
| Electric shaver | 5 | 1 hour a day, 2 days a week | $0.05 | $1 |
| Electric toothbrush | 2 | 24 hours a day | $0.20 | $2 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a curling iron per hour?
A curling iron drawing 50 watts uses 0.05 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.9¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.6¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 2.2¢.
How much does it cost to run a curling iron per month?
At typical use (20 minutes a day, 4 days a week), a curling iron costs about $0.05 a month and $1 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a curling iron use?
Most curling irons use 25 to 150 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a curling iron use?
About 0.01 kWh a day and 3 kWh a year at typical use (20 minutes a day, 4 days a week).
Does a curling iron use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 3 kWh a year it's a small share (0.0%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a curling iron or a flat iron?
At typical use, a curling iron costs about $1 a year versus $1 for a flat iron. So the curling iron is cheaper by about $0 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a curling iron?
- Use auto shut-off models and unplug right after use.
- Set 300-350°F for fine hair instead of max heat.
- Section hair before turning it on to cut heat-up idle time.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.