How many watts does a toaster use? (1,100 W)
A toaster uses about 1,100 W
Typical range 800–1,500 watts.
Typical range 800–1,500 watts.
Running cost calculator
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A toaster runs at high wattage but only for a couple of minutes per use, making it one of the cheapest appliances to operate.
Toaster power specs
| Typical running power | 1,100 W |
| Typical range | 800–1,500 W |
| Energy use | 0.11 kWh/day · 3.3 kWh/mo |
What affects a toaster's wattage
A toaster is rated around 1,100 W, but the real figure shifts with a few things:
- Model and rating: A toaster ranges from about 800 W on efficient units to 1,500 W on larger or older ones — a spread of ~700 W.
- Usage: the real draw depends on the heat setting and how full it is.
- Run time: because a toaster 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 | $0.01 | $0.33 | $4.02 |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.02 | $0.50 | $6.02 |
| $0.20/kWh | $0.02 | $0.66 | $8.03 |
| $0.25/kWh | $0.03 | $0.83 | $10.04 |
| $0.30/kWh | $0.03 | $0.99 | $12.05 |
| $0.40/kWh | $0.04 | $1.32 | $16.06 |
See the full breakdown of what it costs to run a toaster, or what size power station runs a toaster.
FAQ
How many watts does a toaster use?
Around 800-1500 watts while toasting, for just one to three minutes at a time.
Does a toaster use power when not toasting?
No - a basic toaster draws zero watts when the lever is up.