How many watts does a microwave use? (1,000 W)
A microwave uses about 1,000 W
Typical range 600–1,200 watts, plus ~3 W on standby.
Typical range 600–1,200 watts, plus ~3 W on standby.
Running cost calculator
Per hour—
Per day—
Per month—
Per year—
Energy/mo—
A microwave pulls high power but only in short bursts, so even a 1000 W model adds little to your monthly bill.
Microwave power specs
| Typical running power | 1,000 W |
| Typical range | 600–1,200 W |
| Standby draw | 3 W |
| Energy use | 0.50 kWh/day · 15.0 kWh/mo |
What affects a microwave's wattage
A microwave is rated around 1,000 W, but the real figure shifts with a few things:
- Model and rating: A microwave ranges from about 600 W on efficient units to 1,200 W on larger or older ones — a spread of ~600 W.
- Usage: the real draw depends on the heat setting and how full it is.
- Standby: even idle it keeps drawing ~3 W, which quietly adds up over a year.
- Run time: because a microwave 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 | $0.05 | $1.50 | $18.25 |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.08 | $2.25 | $27.38 |
| $0.20/kWh | $0.10 | $3.00 | $36.50 |
| $0.25/kWh | $0.13 | $3.75 | $45.63 |
| $0.30/kWh | $0.15 | $4.50 | $54.75 |
| $0.40/kWh | $0.20 | $6.00 | $73.00 |
See the full breakdown of what it costs to run a microwave, or what size power station runs a microwave.
FAQ
How many watts does a microwave use?
Cooking power is typically 600-1200 watts; the unit draws a bit more from the wall while running.
Does a microwave use power when off?
Yes - the clock and panel draw around 3 watts on standby, which is tiny but constant.