How much does it cost to run an LED strip lights?
An LED strip lights costs about 0.4¢ per hour, 2.2¢ a day, $0.66 a month and $8 a year at typical use (5 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Common 16-ft (5 m) RGB strips draw about 15-36 W at full white; colored scenes and dimmed settings use less. Controllers idle at about 0.5-1 W.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV backlight (USB) | 5 | 0.09¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| 16 ft RGB strip | 24 | 0.4¢ | 2.2¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| 32 ft high-density strip | 48 | 0.9¢ | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
At 5 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 | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.05 | 0.9¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| 4 hours | 0.10 | 1.7¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| 8 hours | 0.19 | 3.5¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| 12 hours | 0.29 | 5.2¢ | $1.58 | $19 |
| 24 hours | 0.58 | 10¢ | $3.15 | $38 |
Cost to run an LED strip lights in every state
The same LED strip lights costs $5 a year in North Dakota and $19 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¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.76 | $9 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.04 | $12 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.11 | $13 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.20 | $14 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.59 | $19 |
How to cut the cost
- Use single colors or dim levels; full white is the highest-power setting.
- Set a schedule or sunset-to-bedtime timer in the app.
- Turn off at the plug when away; controllers idle around 1 W.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Cuts controller standby and enforces off times.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LED strip lights | 24 | 5 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| LED string lights | 15 | 5 hours a day | $0.41 | $5 |
| LED bulb | 9 | 3 hours a day | $0.15 | $2 |
| Neon sign | 20 | 6 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| Lava lamp | 25 | 6 hours a day | $0.82 | $10 |
| Security floodlight | 30 | 11 hours a day | $1.88 | $23 |
| Salt lamp | 15 | 12 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an LED strip lights per hour?
An LED strip lights drawing 24 watts uses 0.02 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.3¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.0¢.
How much does it cost to run an LED strip lights per month?
At typical use (5 hours a day), an LED strip lights costs about $0.66 a month and $8 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an LED strip lights use?
Most LED strip lights use 5 to 72 watts, depending on the setting (tv backlight (usb) 5 W, 16 ft rgb strip 24 W, 32 ft high-density strip 48 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an LED strip lights use?
About 0.12 kWh a day and 44 kWh a year at typical use (5 hours a day).
Does an LED strip lights use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 44 kWh a year it's a small share (0.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an LED strip lights or an LED string lights?
At typical use, an LED strip lights costs about $8 a year versus $5 for an LED string lights. So the LED string lights is cheaper by about $3 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an LED strip lights?
- Use single colors or dim levels; full white is the highest-power setting.
- Set a schedule or sunset-to-bedtime timer in the app.
- Turn off at the plug when away; controllers idle around 1 W.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.