Is a desktop computer expensive to run?

Enabling sleep mode and powering down overnight avoids paying to idle the machine when it's not in use. At typical use it adds about $8.02 to a monthly electric bill at the US-average rate, but that swings from $5.60 in the cheapest states to $20.86 in the most expensive.

How many watts does a desktop computer use?

Desktop Computer typically draws about 200 running watts. It's a resistive load, so its startup and running wattage are the same. Check the nameplate or label on your specific unit for its exact rating.

How much electricity (kWh) does a desktop computer use?

At typical use (200 W for 8 hours a day), a desktop computer uses about 1.6 kWh per day — roughly 49 kWh per month, or about 6% of what the average US home uses in a month (863 kWh). Energy used doesn't depend on your electricity rate — only the bill does.

How can I lower the cost of running a desktop computer?

Enabling sleep mode and powering down overnight avoids paying to idle the machine when it's not in use. You can also cut the cost by lowering your electricity rate — many utilities offer cheaper off-peak hours — or simply by running it fewer hours. The calculator on this page shows how changing hours per day or your electricity rate moves the number.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Desktop Computer?

A typical desktop draws a couple hundred watts, but a gaming or workstation PC under load can pull far more for hours at a time. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running a desktop computer costs about $8.02/month ($96.24/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.

Power (watts)

Hours per day: 8

Days per week: 7

Your state (sets the rate)

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

Cost to run a desktop computer

$96/yr

Per day: $0.26
Per month: $8.02
Energy per year: 584 kWh

Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values — enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.

How much electricity does a desktop computer use?

At 200 W for 8 hours a day, a desktop computer uses about 1.6 kWh per day — roughly 49 kWh per month and 584 kWh per year. That's about 6% of the 863 kWh the average US home uses in a month. Energy use is the same everywhere — only the price per kWh changes your bill.

Wondering about the circuit instead? See how many amps a desktop computer draws.

Cost to run a desktop computer by electricity rate

Same 200 W appliance, 8 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.

Scenario	Rate	Per month	Per year
Cheapest states (North Dakota)	11.5¢	$5.60	$67.22
US average	16.5¢	$8.02	$96.24
Most expensive (Hawaii)	42.9¢	$20.86	$250.30

Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.

Frequently asked questions

At the US-average residential rate of 16.5¢/kWh, a desktop computer drawing 200 watts for about 8 hours a day costs roughly $0.26 per day, $8.02 per month, and $96.24 per year. Your actual cost depends on your electricity rate and how much you use it, and the calculator on this page adjusts for both.

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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Desktop Computer?

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Cost to run a desktop computer by electricity rate

Frequently asked questions