Electricity Cost Calculator
Estimate energy-use cost from watts and runtime, or enter total kilowatt-hours.
EIA residential reference: June 2026. Not an individual utility tariff.
Appliance power examples
Example assumptions only. Actual draw, cycling and runtime depend on the model and settings.
Watts, kilowatt-hours and operating days
EIA distinguishes power from energy: watts describe power; kilowatt-hours describe energy used over time. A 1,200-watt device running for one hour consumes 1.2 kWh. The expression is watts x hours / 1,000, not watts per hour.
- Period energy
- watts x hours per active day x active days / 1,000
- Period cost
- period kWh x price per kWh
- 365-day projection
- period cost / period days x 365
For example, a 1,000-watt device used for one hour on one day in a 30-day period costs $0.15 at $0.15/kWh. Repeating that pattern gives about $1.83 over 365 days. Assuming use every day instead would cost $54.75, a different scenario.
Cost lookups at your selected rate
Rate: 0.1834 USD/kWh. Costs rounded to cents; other charges are not separately calculated.
| Energy | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1.8 kWh | $0.33 |
| 7 kWh | $1.28 |
| 49 kWh | $8.99 |
| 50 kWh | $9.17 |
| 95 kWh | $17.42 |
| 130 kWh | $23.84 |
| 150 kWh | $27.51 |
| 240 kWh | $44.02 |
| 250 kWh | $45.85 |
| 336 kWh | $61.62 |
| 350 kWh | $64.19 |
| 400 kWh | $73.36 |
| 420 kWh | $77.03 |
| 700 kWh | $128.38 |
| 1,500 kWh | $275.10 |
| 2,100 kWh | $385.14 |
| 4,000 kWh | $733.60 |
| 4,500 kWh | $825.30 |
| Power | 1 hour | 8 hours | 8h/day x 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 W | $0.00 | $0.02 | $0.66 |
| 50 W | $0.01 | $0.07 | $2.20 |
| 250 W | $0.05 | $0.37 | $11.00 |
| 700 W | $0.13 | $1.03 | $30.81 |
| 800 W | $0.15 | $1.17 | $35.21 |
| 1200 W | $0.22 | $1.76 | $52.82 |
| 1500 W | $0.28 | $2.20 | $66.02 |
| 1600 W | $0.29 | $2.35 | $70.43 |
| 2000 W | $0.37 | $2.93 | $88.03 |
| 3000 W | $0.55 | $4.40 | $132.05 |
| 4500 W | $0.83 | $6.60 | $198.07 |
| 7700 W | $1.41 | $11.30 | $338.92 |
EIA residential reference prices
U.S. average: 18.34 cents/kWh for June 2026. Source data collected 2026-09-13. These are residential sales averages, not a guaranteed tariff or forecast.
| State | Cents/kWh | Observation month |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 52.72 | June 2026 |
| Maine | 29.59 | June 2026 |
| Connecticut | 24.32 | June 2026 |
| California | 34.74 | June 2026 |
| New York | 29.49 | June 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.73 | June 2026 |
| Michigan | 22.99 | June 2026 |
| Florida | 15.10 | June 2026 |
| Texas | 15.94 | June 2026 |
| Missouri | 16.22 | June 2026 |
| Nebraska | 13.25 | June 2026 |
| North Dakota | 14.12 | June 2026 |
When a simple usage estimate differs from your bill
Fixed customer charges, demand charges, usage tiers, bill credits and time-of-use pricing can change the total. A state average cannot reproduce these rules. In a hypothetical time-of-use comparison, 2 kWh costs $0.60 at $0.30/kWh or $0.20 at $0.10/kWh; the applicable hours and prices depend on the utility.
Appliances that cycle need an appropriate runtime or measured average power. The FTC explains EnergyGuide labels, whose annual kWh figures help compare appliances under stated test assumptions. A label's estimated cost is not your personal bill.
Related calculations: EV charging, heat pumps, solar sizing and home energy audit. Savings depend on your actual usage and project assumptions, not a universal percentage.
Reviewed September 7, 2026. Estimates depend on the rate plan, usage pattern and operating conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the formula for electricity cost?
Energy in kWh equals watts x operating hours / 1,000. Multiply kWh by the price per kWh for an energy-use cost estimate. For repeated use, include the number of active days in the period.
How much does 150 kWh cost?
At $0.15 per kWh, 150 kWh costs $22.50. At $0.30 per kWh, it costs $45. Your utility bill may include additional charges or use a tiered or time-of-use tariff.
Why does annual cost depend on active days?
The 365-day projection repeats your entered pattern: period kWh / period days x 365 x rate. A device used once in 30 days is not assumed to run every day of the year. Seasonality, changes in prices and non-repeating usage are not predicted.
Why does a zero rate give zero cost?
A zero per-kWh rate gives zero usage cost. Fixed fees, demand charges and other bill items can still apply. This calculator does not separately model those charges.
Are the state reference rates my utility tariff?
No. EIA residential prices are state-level averages, not an individual utility offer. The observation month is shown separately from the collection date. Your rate plan can vary by season, usage tier, time of day and customer class.
Can I use nameplate watts for a refrigerator?
Appliances can cycle or vary their power draw. Multiplying a running wattage by 24 hours may overstate energy use. Annual kWh from an EnergyGuide label, a measured average power draw, or an appropriate active runtime may be a better basis. Avoid counting the same cycling adjustment twice.