How Many Amps Does a Refrigerator Use?
Refrigerator draws about 1.3 amps at 120 volts (150 watts running) and briefly spikes to around 6.7 amps at startup. At 1.3 A, a refrigerator fits comfortably on a standard 15 A or 20 A household circuit (kitchen countertop receptacles are on 20 A small-appliance circuits per NEC 210.11(C)).
Amps = watts ÷ volts. Enter the wattage from your appliance's nameplate or label for an exact figure.
Current draw — a refrigerator
1.3 A
- At 120 V
- 150 W
- Typical breaker
- 15 A
Breaker figure is guidance for a simple resistive load, sized at 125% for continuous running — confirm against the nameplate and a licensed electrician.
Refrigerator amperage at 120 V and 240 V
Same 150 W load — the current halves when the voltage doubles. Refrigerator is typically a 120 V appliance in US homes.
| Draw | Watts | Amps at 120 V | Amps at 240 V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running | 150 W | 1.3 A | 0.6 A |
| Starting (surge) | 800 W | 6.7 A | 3.3 A |
The startup surge lasts a fraction of a second — it matters for generator sizing and breaker trip curves, not for your electric bill.
Breaker and circuit for a refrigerator
At 1.3 A, a refrigerator fits comfortably on a standard 15 A or 20 A household circuit (kitchen countertop receptacles are on 20 A small-appliance circuits per NEC 210.11(C)). For a dedicated circuit, guidance is a 15 A breaker with 14 AWG copper (75°C terminations) — sized at 125% of the running current because it runs 3+ hours at a time (NEC 210.20).
Guidance only — actual circuit sizing depends on your unit's nameplate, wire run length, and local code. Confirm with a licensed electrician. See the wire & breaker size chart for the full NEC ampacity table.
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