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How many watts does a corded drill use? (700 W)
A corded drill uses about 700 W
Typical range 400–1,200 watts.
Typical range 400–1,200 watts.
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A corded drill only draws its full wattage under heavy load; light drilling uses far less than the nameplate figure.
Corded drill power specs
| Typical running power | 700 W |
| Typical range | 400–1,200 W |
| Startup surge | 900 W |
| Energy use | 0.21 kWh/day · 6.3 kWh/mo |
What affects a corded drill's wattage
A corded drill is rated around 700 W, but the real figure shifts with a few things:
- Model and rating: A corded drill ranges from about 400 W on efficient units to 1,200 W on larger or older ones — a spread of ~800 W.
- Usage: the real draw depends on the material and load you put it under.
- Startup surge: the motor can briefly spike to about 900 W at start-up, well above the 700 W running figure.
- Run time: because a corded drill only runs in short bursts (a few minutes at a time), hours of use matter as much as raw wattage on your bill.
Running cost at $0.17/kWh
| Electricity rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/kWh | $0.02 | $0.63 | $7.67 |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.03 | $0.95 | $11.50 |
| $0.20/kWh | $0.04 | $1.26 | $15.33 |
| $0.25/kWh | $0.05 | $1.58 | $19.16 |
| $0.30/kWh | $0.06 | $1.89 | $23.00 |
| $0.40/kWh | $0.08 | $2.52 | $30.66 |
See the full breakdown of what it costs to run a corded drill, or what size power station runs a corded drill.
FAQ
How many watts does a corded drill use?
About 400-1200 watts depending on size and how hard it is working.
Can I run a drill off a power station?
Yes - most power stations handle a drill easily, allowing for its brief startup surge.
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