How much does it cost to run a laptop?
A laptop costs about 0.7¢ per hour, 4.5¢ a day, $1.36 a month and $16 a year at typical use (6 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Laptops draw 15-60 W from the wall while working and charging; gaming laptops draw 100-230 W under load. Chargers left plugged in with nothing attached draw under 0.5 W.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromebook / ultrabook | 20 | 0.4¢ | 2.3¢ | $0.71 | $8 |
| Typical laptop | 40 | 0.7¢ | 4.5¢ | $1.36 | $16 |
| Gaming laptop | 150 | 2.7¢ | 16¢ | $4.98 | $60 |
At 6 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.05 | 0.9¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| 2 hours | 0.09 | 1.6¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| 4 hours | 0.17 | 3.1¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| 8 hours | 0.33 | 5.9¢ | $1.80 | $22 |
| 12 hours | 0.49 | 8.7¢ | $2.66 | $32 |
| 24 hours | 0.96 | 17¢ | $5.26 | $63 |
Cost to run a laptop in every state
The same laptop costs $11 a year in North Dakota and $40 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¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.01 | $12 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.01 | $12 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.03 | $12 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.04 | $12 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.06 | $13 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.06 | $13 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.14 | $14 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.16 | $14 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.19 | $14 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.21 | $15 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.23 | $15 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.25 | $15 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.25 | $15 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.26 | $15 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.28 | $15 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.35 | $16 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.38 | $17 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.42 | $17 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.42 | $17 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.57 | $19 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.59 | $19 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.80 | $22 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.80 | $22 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.83 | $22 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.02 | $24 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.03 | $24 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.12 | $25 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.15 | $26 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.22 | $27 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.22 | $27 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.31 | $28 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.50 | $30 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.7¢ | $3.30 | $40 |
Most efficient laptop models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models, out of 1,729 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $0 a year to run. The least efficient costs $42. Same size, $42 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer | CBV514-1H | 2 | $0 | Amazon |
| MAXHUB | XPG14M | 3 | $0 | Amazon |
| HP | FCW-2402A | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Amazon | RL3YT5 | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Lenovo | TB351FU | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Lenovo | TB305FU | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Samsung | SM-X110 | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
| Ceibal | H9190L | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
| MAXHUB | XPT34M | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
| Lenovo | TB310FU | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Lower screen brightness to 50-70%; the display is the largest power user on most laptops.
- Use battery saver or Best power efficiency mode in Windows.
- Enable the battery-care 80% charge limit to extend battery life when plugged in all day.
- Close power-hungry browser tabs and video calls when not needed.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
More efficient and lower standby than older brick chargers.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop | 40 | 6 hours a day | $1.36 | $16 |
| MacBook | 25 | 6 hours a day | $0.85 | $10 |
| Desktop computer | 90 | 6 hours a day | $3.15 | $38 |
| Computer monitor | 25 | 6 hours a day | $0.85 | $10 |
| Phone charger | 10 | 2 hours a day | $0.12 | $1 |
| iMac / all-in-one computer | 60 | 6 hours a day | $2.07 | $25 |
| Home server | 80 | 24 hours a day | $10.51 | $126 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a laptop per hour?
A laptop drawing 40 watts uses 0.04 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.7¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.5¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.7¢.
How much does it cost to run a laptop per month?
At typical use (6 hours a day), a laptop costs about $1.36 a month and $16 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 laptop use?
Most laptops use 15 to 200 watts, depending on the setting (chromebook / ultrabook 20 W, typical laptop 40 W, gaming laptop 150 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a laptop use?
About 0.25 kWh a day and 91 kWh a year at typical use (6 hours a day).
Does a laptop use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 91 kWh a year it's a small share (0.9%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a laptop or a MacBook?
At typical use, a laptop costs about $16 a year versus $10 for a MacBook. So the MacBook is cheaper by about $6 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a laptop?
- Lower screen brightness to 50-70%; the display is the largest power user on most laptops.
- Use battery saver or Best power efficiency mode in Windows.
- Enable the battery-care 80% charge limit to extend battery life when plugged in all day.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.