Calculators · Cost to run
How much does it cost to run a microwave?
A microwave draws around 1,000 watts, but you only run it for minutes — so each use costs pennies. It's one of the cheapest ways to heat food, precisely because it's fast and heats the food, not a big cavity.
per hour
12¢
per day
$0.06
per month
$1.90
per year
$22.74
Running a 1000W microwave 0.5 hours a day costs about $0.06/day or $1.90/month at 12.46¢/kWh.
Runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent anywhere. Estimates only; your actual bill depends on your usage and includes delivery charges on top of the supply rate.
What it costs per 10 minutes, at real rates
Based on a 1,000W microwave (~0.17 kWh), priced at three of the utilities we track:
| Utility | Rate | Cost per 10 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| PECO (PA) | 10.789¢/kWh | 2¢ |
| BGE (MD) | 14.609¢/kWh | 2¢ |
| ComEd (IL) | 10.399¢/kWh | 2¢ |
Supply rate only; delivery charges are extra. Use the calculator above for your own utility and usage.
Microwave power by size
| Type | Typical watts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compact | ~600–800 W | Smaller cavity, lower cooking power |
| Mid-size | ~1,000 W | The common kitchen microwave |
| Full-size / over-range | ~1,200–1,500 W | Higher 'input' watts than cooking watts |
The wattage on the door is usually 'cooking power'; the power it actually draws from the wall is a bit higher.
How to cut the cost
- 1
Use it instead of the oven for small jobs
Reheating or cooking a small portion in the microwave uses a fraction of the energy of heating a full oven — it's the efficient choice for one plate.
- 2
Don't sweat the per-use cost
At a few minutes per use, a microwave costs roughly a penny or two each time. It's not where bill savings live — focus on heating, cooling, and the water heater.
- 3
Mind the standby clock
An over-the-range or always-plugged microwave draws a couple of watts for its clock and panel 24/7 — small, but it's most of a microwave's annual energy if you barely cook with it.
- 4
Cover food to cook faster
Covered food heats quicker, so the microwave runs for less time — minor, but it adds up over a year of lunches.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to run a microwave per use?
- A 1,000W microwave for a few minutes uses well under 0.1 kWh — about a penny or two per use at typical rates.
- Is a microwave cheaper than an oven?
- For small portions, far cheaper — it heats the food directly for a couple of minutes instead of heating a big oven cavity for an hour. For large meals the oven is more practical.
- Does a microwave use power when not in use?
- A little — the clock and touch panel draw a couple of watts continuously. Over a year that can be more than the cooking itself if you rarely use it.
- How many watts does a microwave use?
- Most kitchen microwaves are around 1,000 watts of cooking power; compact units 600–800W and large ones 1,200–1,500W. The draw from the wall is a bit above the cooking-watt rating.
If your bill jumped more than your usage explains, your rate may have risen too.