How much does it cost to run a flat iron?
A flat iron costs about 1.1¢ per hour, 0.2¢ a day, $0.06 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. Flat irons draw 30-150 W, mostly during heat-up; a year of regular use costs a few dollars.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.03 | 0.6¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.07 | 1.2¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| 4 hours | 0.14 | 2.5¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| 8 hours | 0.27 | 4.9¢ | $1.50 | $18 |
| 12 hours | 0.41 | 7.4¢ | $2.25 | $27 |
| 24 hours | 0.82 | 15¢ | $4.51 | $54 |
Cost to run a flat iron in every state
The same flat iron costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $2 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¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.5¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.6¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.6¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 1.7¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 1.7¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 1.8¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 1.8¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 1.8¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 2.0¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 2.6¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
How to cut the cost
- Use 300-370°F unless hair is coarse; higher settings add draw and damage.
- Straighten fully dry hair only; damp hair takes longer passes.
- Unplug immediately after use or buy one with 30-60 minute auto-off.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Lets you use lower temperature settings with good results.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat iron | 60 | 20 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.06 | $1 |
| Curling iron | 50 | 20 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.05 | $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 flat iron per hour?
A flat iron drawing 60 watts uses 0.06 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.1¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.7¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 2.6¢.
How much does it cost to run a flat iron per month?
At typical use (20 minutes a day, 4 days a week), a flat iron costs about $0.06 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 flat iron use?
Most flat irons use 30 to 150 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a flat iron use?
About 0.01 kWh a day and 4 kWh a year at typical use (20 minutes a day, 4 days a week).
Does a flat iron use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 4 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 flat iron or a curling iron?
At typical use, a flat iron costs about $1 a year versus $1 for a curling 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 flat iron?
- Use 300-370°F unless hair is coarse; higher settings add draw and damage.
- Straighten fully dry hair only; damp hair takes longer passes.
- Unplug immediately after use or buy one with 30-60 minute auto-off.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.