Is outdoor string lights expensive to run?

The incandescent versions of the same lights draw 10× as much; check the box before buying. At typical use it adds about $0.38 to a monthly electric bill at the US-average rate, but that swings from $0.26 in the cheapest states to $0.98 in the most expensive.

How many watts does outdoor string lights use?

Outdoor String Lights typically draws about 15 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 outdoor string lights use?

At typical use (15 W for 5 hours a day), outdoor string lights uses about 0.1 kWh per day — roughly 2 kWh per month, or about 1% 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 outdoor string lights?

The incandescent versions of the same lights draw 10× as much; check the box before buying. 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 Outdoor String Lights?

A hundred feet of LED string lights draws about 15 watts — all-evening ambiance for pennies a month. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running outdoor string lights costs about $0.38/month ($4.51/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.

Power (watts)

Hours per day: 5

Days per week: 7

Your state (sets the rate)

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

Cost to run outdoor string lights

$5/yr

Per day: $0.01
Per month: $0.38
Energy per year: 27 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 outdoor string lights use?

At 15 W for 5 hours a day, outdoor string lights uses about 0.1 kWh per day — roughly 2 kWh per month and 27 kWh per year. That's about 1% 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 outdoor string lights draws.

Cost to run outdoor string lights by electricity rate

Same 15 W appliance, 5 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.

Scenario	Rate	Per month	Per year
Cheapest states (North Dakota)	11.5¢	$0.26	$3.15
US average	16.5¢	$0.38	$4.51
Most expensive (Hawaii)	42.9¢	$0.98	$11.73

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

Measure what outdoor string lights really costs you

The estimate above uses typical wattage and hours. A plug-in energy meter logs the kilowatt-hours this appliance actually uses — leave it in for a week, multiply by your rate, and the estimate becomes a measurement. A whole-home monitor does the same for every circuit at once, but its sensors install inside the panel.

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Plug-in power meter

P3 International Kill A Watt P4400

Best for: Measuring what one plug-in appliance really uses

Check price on Amazon(paid link)

Whole-home energy monitor

Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor (16 circuit sensors)

Best for: Measuring hardwired and 240 V loads, or every circuit at once

Check price on Amazon(paid link)

Energy meter and monitor picks

Frequently asked questions

At the US-average residential rate of 16.5¢/kWh, outdoor string lights drawing 15 watts for about 5 hours a day costs roughly $0.01 per day, $0.38 per month, and $4.51 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 Outdoor String Lights?

How much electricity does outdoor string lights use?

Cost to run outdoor string lights by electricity rate

Measure what outdoor string lights really costs you

P3 International Kill A Watt P4400

Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor (16 circuit sensors)

Frequently asked questions