How much does it cost to run a desktop computer?
A typical desktop computer draws about 200 watts. Used 8 hours a day, that works out to roughly $0.27 per day, $6.80 per month, and $81.60 per year on an average electricity rate of 17¢ per kWh. Office desktops left on all day quietly accumulate cost.
Desktop Computer running cost calculator
- Per day
- $0.27
- Per month
- $6.80
- Per year
- $81.60
- CO₂ / year
- 192 kg
Based on 480 kWh per year. Adjust the price per kWh to match your latest electricity bill for an exact figure.
The number that matters most is your own electricity rate. Rates range from under 11¢ per kWh in some regions to over 30¢ in others, so the same desktop computer can cost two or three times as much depending on where you live. Enter your exact rate in the calculator above to get a figure tailored to your bill.
Over a full year this desktop computer uses about 480 kWh of electricity and is responsible for roughly 192 kg of CO₂ emissions on an average grid. Reducing run time, or switching to a more efficient model, lowers both the cost and the footprint.
If this desktop computer is one you use daily, even small efficiency gains compound. Cutting its usage or wattage by 20% would save around $16.32 every year — money that an efficient replacement can recover over its lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to run a desktop computer per hour?
- At 200 watts and a 17¢/kWh rate, a desktop computer costs about $0.03 per hour to run.
- How much electricity does a desktop computer use per month?
- Running 8 hours a day, a desktop computer uses roughly 40.0 kWh per month, costing about $6.80.
- Is a desktop computer expensive to run?
- Not particularly — at around $81.60 per year, a desktop computer is a relatively minor part of most electricity bills.
- How can I reduce my desktop computer running costs?
- Use it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use pricing, reduce daily run time, and consider an ENERGY STAR rated desktop computer, which uses less power for the same job.