How much does it cost to run a laptop?
A typical laptop draws about 60 watts. Used 8 hours a day, that works out to roughly $0.08 per day, $2.04 per month, and $24.48 per year on an average electricity rate of 17¢ per kWh. Laptops are among the most energy-frugal computing options available.
Laptop running cost calculator
- Per day
- $0.08
- Per month
- $2.04
- Per year
- $24.48
- CO₂ / year
- 57.6 kg
Based on 144 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 laptop 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 laptop uses about 144 kWh of electricity and is responsible for roughly 57.6 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 laptop is one you use daily, even small efficiency gains compound. Cutting its usage or wattage by 20% would save around $4.90 every year — money that an efficient replacement can recover over its lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to run a laptop per hour?
- At 60 watts and a 17¢/kWh rate, a laptop costs about $0.01 per hour to run.
- How much electricity does a laptop use per month?
- Running 8 hours a day, a laptop uses roughly 12.0 kWh per month, costing about $2.04.
- Is a laptop expensive to run?
- Not particularly — at around $24.48 per year, a laptop is a relatively minor part of most electricity bills.
- How can I reduce my laptop 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 laptop, which uses less power for the same job.