How much does it cost to run a MacBook?
A MacBook costs about 0.4¢ per hour, 2.8¢ a day, $0.85 a month and $10 a year at typical use (6 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Apple-silicon MacBooks are very efficient: a MacBook Air averages about 10-20 W from the wall during normal work and charging.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air | 15 | 0.3¢ | 1.7¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| MacBook Pro 14 in. | 25 | 0.4¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.85 | $10 |
| MacBook Pro 16 in. heavy load | 90 | 1.6¢ | 9.8¢ | $2.99 | $36 |
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 | 0.03 | 0.6¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.06 | 1.0¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| 4 hours | 0.11 | 1.9¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| 8 hours | 0.20 | 3.7¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| 12 hours | 0.30 | 5.5¢ | $1.66 | $20 |
| 24 hours | 0.60 | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
Cost to run a MacBook in every state
The same MacBook costs $7 a year in North Dakota and $25 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¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.71 | $9 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.84 | $10 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.89 | $11 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.89 | $11 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.00 | $12 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.13 | $14 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.14 | $14 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.26 | $15 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.27 | $15 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.32 | $16 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.34 | $16 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.38 | $17 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.39 | $17 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.44 | $17 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.56 | $19 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.06 | $25 |
Most efficient MacBook 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
- Turn on Low Power Mode in System Settings > Battery.
- Enable Optimized Battery Charging to limit time at 100%.
- Lower display brightness; on MacBook Pro the mini-LED screen is the main draw.
- Let it sleep when the lid is closed instead of running in clamshell mode with external displays when not needed.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Efficient compact charger with low standby draw.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook | 25 | 6 hours a day | $0.85 | $10 |
| Laptop | 40 | 6 hours a day | $1.36 | $16 |
| iMac / all-in-one computer | 60 | 6 hours a day | $2.07 | $25 |
| Mac mini | 12 | 8 hours a day | $0.61 | $7 |
| Computer monitor | 25 | 6 hours a day | $0.85 | $10 |
| Tablet charging | 15 | 1.5 hours a day | $0.14 | $2 |
| Phone charger | 10 | 2 hours a day | $0.12 | $1 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a MacBook per hour?
A MacBook drawing 25 watts uses 0.03 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 1.1¢.
How much does it cost to run a MacBook per month?
At typical use (6 hours a day), a MacBook costs about $0.85 a month and $10 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 MacBook use?
Most MacBooks use 10 to 140 watts, depending on the setting (macbook air 15 W, macbook pro 14 in. 25 W, macbook pro 16 in. heavy load 90 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.3 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a MacBook use?
About 0.16 kWh a day and 57 kWh a year at typical use (6 hours a day).
Does a MacBook use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 57 kWh a year it's a small share (0.5%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a MacBook or a laptop?
At typical use, a MacBook costs about $10 a year versus $16 for a laptop. 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 MacBook?
- Turn on Low Power Mode in System Settings > Battery.
- Enable Optimized Battery Charging to limit time at 100%.
- Lower display brightness; on MacBook Pro the mini-LED screen is the main draw.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.