Electricity Cost Calculator
Calculate the running cost of any appliance per hour, day, month, and year.
Average rates: US $0.13, UK £0.29, AU $0.30, CA $0.12
How electricity costs are calculated
Electricity is billed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh is the energy used by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour — for example, a 1kW electric kettle running for 1 hour, or a 100W light bulb running for 10 hours. The formula is: kWh = watts ÷ 1000 × hours. Cost = kWh × price per kWh. Your electricity rate (price per kWh) is on your electricity bill.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my electricity rate?
Your electricity rate (cost per kWh) is shown on your electricity bill, usually expressed as pence/kWh (UK), cents/kWh (US, AU), or €/kWh (EU). Average rates: US ~$0.13/kWh, UK ~£0.28/kWh, Australia ~$0.30/kWh, Canada ~$0.12/kWh, Germany ~€0.32/kWh.
How do I find an appliance's wattage?
Check the label on the back or bottom of the appliance, the product manual, or the manufacturer's website. For appliances with variable power (laptops, fridges), use the maximum or average wattage. A smart plug with an energy monitor (such as a TP-Link Kasa or Shelly) can measure real-world consumption more accurately.
Do appliances on standby use electricity?
Yes — most electronics draw power in standby mode. TVs, games consoles, and smart speakers typically use 0.5–10W in standby. A TV on standby 20 hours a day at 5W uses about 1 kWh per week. Across all standby devices, this can add up to 10–15% of a household's electricity bill. Use the calculator to see the annual cost.
