How much does it cost to run a toaster?
A toaster costs about 16¢ per hour, 1.6¢ a day, $0.49 a month and $6 a year at typical use (6 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A 2-slice toaster draws 800-1,000 W for 2-4 minutes per batch, so toasting is a small cost.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-slice | 900 | 16¢ | 1.6¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| 4-slice | 1,500 | 27¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.82 | $10 |
At 6 minutes 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 | 0.90 | 16¢ | $4.93 | $59 |
| 2 hours | 1.80 | 32¢ | $9.86 | $118 |
| 4 hours | 3.60 | 65¢ | $19.71 | $237 |
| 8 hours | 7.20 | $1.30 | $39.43 | $473 |
| 12 hours | 10.80 | $1.94 | $59.14 | $710 |
| 24 hours | 21.60 | $3.89 | $118 | $1,419 |
Cost to run a toaster in every state
The same toaster costs $4 a year in North Dakota and $14 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¢ | 11¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 11¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 12¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 12¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 12¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 12¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 12¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 12¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 12¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 12¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 13¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 13¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 13¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 13¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 13¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 13¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 13¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 13¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 14¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 14¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 14¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 14¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 14¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 14¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 14¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 14¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 14¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 15¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 15¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 15¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 15¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 15¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 16¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 16¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 17¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 17¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 19¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 19¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 19¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 21¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 21¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 22¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 24¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 24¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 25¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 26¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 26¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 26¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 27¢ | $0.83 | $10 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 30¢ | $0.90 | $11 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 39¢ | $1.19 | $14 |
How to cut the cost
- Toast in full batches; a 4-slice toaster with two slices wastes half the heat.
- Use the single-slot setting on 4-slice models that support it.
- Empty the crumb tray to avoid uneven toasting and repeats.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Heats only the elements needed for one slice.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toaster | 900 | 6 minutes a day | $0.49 | $6 |
| Toaster oven | 1,300 | 18 minutes a day | $1.62 | $19 |
| Microwave | 1,200 | 15 minutes a day | $1.90 | $23 |
| Electric kettle | 1,500 | 6 minutes a day | $0.82 | $10 |
| Hot plate | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day | $2.46 | $30 |
| Instant Pot | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.83 | $10 |
| Drip coffee maker | 1,000 | 30 minutes a day | $1.22 | $15 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a toaster per hour?
A toaster drawing 900 watts uses 0.90 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 16¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 11¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 39¢.
How much does it cost to run a toaster per month?
At typical use (6 minutes a day), a toaster costs about $0.49 a month and $6 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 toaster use?
Most toasters use 700 to 1,600 watts, depending on the setting (2-slice 900 W, 4-slice 1,500 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a toaster use?
About 0.09 kWh a day and 33 kWh a year at typical use (6 minutes a day).
Does a toaster use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 33 kWh a year it's a small share (0.3%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a toaster or a toaster oven?
At typical use, a toaster costs about $6 a year versus $19 for a toaster oven. So the toaster is cheaper by about $14 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a toaster?
- Toast in full batches; a 4-slice toaster with two slices wastes half the heat.
- Use the single-slot setting on 4-slice models that support it.
- Empty the crumb tray to avoid uneven toasting and repeats.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.