Microwave electricity cost calculator
In this example, a microwave at 1100W and 100% duty cycle costs $0.200 per scheduled hour. At 0.50 hours per day, that is $3.04 per 30.44 use days, using the August 2026 US average of 18.16¢/kWh. Adjust the calculator for your appliance and electricity bill.
Microwave electricity cost calculator
Use watts and running time, or enter energy from a label, meter or completed load. Your inputs stay on this device.
Enter a number within each field’s limits to calculate your cost.
Your estimated energy cost
201 kWh across 365 use days per year
Power mode includes your selected duty cycle. The monthly figure assumes 30.44 use days; the annual total uses your selected use days. These are estimates at the entered rate.
Energy charges only. Fixed utility fees, purchase, installation and maintenance are excluded. See the calculation method and sources.
Running cost at different usage times
These examples hold 1100W, 100% duty cycle and 18.16¢/kWh constant. They illustrate the arithmetic, not recommended schedules. Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
| Hours per use day | kWh per day | Cost per day | 30.44 use days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.550 kWh | $0.10 | $3.04 |
| 1 | 1.100 kWh | $0.20 | $6.08 |
| 4 | 4.400 kWh | $0.80 | $24.32 |
| 8 | 8.800 kWh | $1.60 | $48.65 |
How to estimate your microwave electricity use
Estimate the electricity used by your microwave from its electrical input and operating time. The preset is an example for this appliance class; model, settings and your electricity price can change the result.
A preset is not a measurement of your model. Variable power, standby use and different operating modes may need separate estimates. The source below supplies electricity-price data, not the appliance wattage.
- Use electrical input watts from your model documentation or a suitable measurement. Rated maximum power may be higher than normal operating draw.
- If you enter average measured watts over the whole period, set duty cycle to 100%. If you enter active running watts, use the fraction of time spent at that draw.
- In watts-and-hours mode, monthly output is a 30.44-day equivalent at your daily settings. Reduce annual-use days for equipment used seasonally or only on certain days.
- For measured consumption, cost equals kWh multiplied by your usage-based price per kWh. This excludes purchase, installation and maintenance costs.
Calculation and data sources
Daily kWh = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × duty cycle ÷ 100. Multiply kWh by your rate in dollars per kWh to get cost. The wattage, hours and duty cycle above are editable example assumptions, not EIA measurements of this appliance.
The US and state average prices come from the EIA for August 2026. A state average is a starting point; your bill is the better source for your tariff.
Electricity running cost by state
Sorted by average electricity price. These reference figures use 0.50 hours per day at 100% duty cycle, for 30.44 days per month and 365 days per year. Seasonal use will cost less than this year-round scenario. Click a state to load its rate.
| State | Rate /kWh | Per month | Per year | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $2.13 | $25.54 | |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $2.15 | $25.84 | |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $2.23 | $26.72 | |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $2.23 | $26.72 | |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $2.24 | $26.84 | |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $2.25 | $26.94 | |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $2.27 | $27.18 | |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $2.31 | $27.70 | |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $2.41 | $28.85 | |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $2.42 | $28.97 | |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $2.42 | $28.97 | |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $2.45 | $29.37 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $2.48 | $29.75 | |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $2.50 | $30.01 | |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $2.51 | $30.09 | |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $2.52 | $30.21 | |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $2.54 | $30.41 | |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $2.59 | $31.06 | |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $2.61 | $31.26 | |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $2.64 | $31.64 | |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $2.66 | $31.92 | |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $2.66 | $31.94 | |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $2.67 | $31.96 | |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $2.68 | $32.16 | |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $2.73 | $32.74 | |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $2.73 | $32.78 | |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $2.76 | $33.14 | |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $2.85 | $34.17 | |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $2.86 | $34.25 | |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $2.87 | $34.47 | |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $2.88 | $34.53 | |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $2.95 | $35.41 | |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $3.13 | $37.54 | |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $3.23 | $38.78 | |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $3.24 | $38.91 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $3.25 | $38.97 | |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $3.58 | $42.96 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $3.64 | $43.70 | |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $3.85 | $46.15 | |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $3.99 | $47.86 | |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $4.10 | $49.20 | |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $4.12 | $49.40 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $4.35 | $52.15 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $4.63 | $55.49 | |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $4.72 | $56.57 | |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $4.80 | $57.51 | |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $4.92 | $59.04 | |
| California | 29.75¢ | $4.98 | $59.72 | |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $5.10 | $61.19 | |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $5.38 | $64.46 | |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $7.90 | $94.71 |
Common questions
How much electricity does a microwave use?
In this example, 1100 watts at a 100% duty cycle uses 1.100 kWh per scheduled hour. At 0.50 hours per day, that is 0.550 kWh per use day. Your model and operating conditions can differ.
How much does it cost to run a microwave for an hour?
The default example costs $0.200 per scheduled hour at the US average of 18.16¢/kWh for August 2026. This includes the selected duty cycle. Enter your watts, duty cycle and electricity price for your own estimate.
Does the annual cost assume I use it every day?
The reference tables use 365 days at the stated daily hours; monthly figures use 30.44 days. These are comparison scenarios, not forecasts. For a heater used on 90 days, enter 90 use days per year in the calculator.
Why does electricity running cost vary by state?
For August 2026, the EIA state averages range from 12.72¢/kWh in Nevada to 47.18¢/kWh in Hawaii. Equal electricity use costs more at a higher rate. Your utility tariff can differ from the state average.
Should I enter rated watts or average watts?
Use the input that matches your measurement. Rated watts can represent maximum draw. If you know the average watts over the selected hours, enter that average and set duty cycle to 100%; do not reduce it again for cycling.
Does this include the purchase price?
No. This calculator estimates electricity at the entered usage-based rate. Purchase, installation, maintenance and fixed monthly utility charges are separate.
How do I estimate occasional use?
In watts-and-hours mode, enter the hours used on an active day, then select the number of use-days per year. The monthly figure remains a 30.44-day equivalent at that daily use; the annual figure uses your selected days.