How many watts does a dryer use?
Most dryers use 1,800–6,000 watts while running (typically about 4,000 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $9.20 a month ($110 a year).
These figures are for electric dryers. Gas dryers burn gas for heat and use electricity only for the drum motor and controls.
Cost to run a dryer: calculator
Real data from 494 ENERGY STAR models
Median rated annual energy use under the DOE test procedure: 608 kWh/yr (most models 246–608 kWh/yr). Older or non-certified models usually use more.
Running vs starting watts
Running watts are what it draws while operating; they drive your electricity bill. It has no significant start-up surge, so size a generator or power station on running watts alone.
| Source | Running | Starting |
|---|---|---|
| Champion Power Equipment generator wattage chart | 4,000–6,000 W | — |
| Honda generator wattage chart (PDF) | 5,750 W | — |
| EcoFlow appliance wattage chart | 1,800–5,000 W | — |
| U.S. DOE Energy Saver, typical appliance wattages (archived) | 1,800–5,000 W | — |
Will a power station run it?
It draws too much power to run long on a battery: a 1,000 Wh power station would last only about 13 minutes (assuming 85% conversion efficiency). Look for at least 6,000 W continuous output. Check your power station or generator →
Cost by state
Based on the median ENERGY STAR model (608 kWh/yr rated).
Cost to run a dryer in every state
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $8.27 | $99.29 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $14.90 | $179 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $7.63 | $91.50 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $7.28 | $87.37 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $15.07 | $181 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $8.70 | $104 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $12.42 | $149 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $9.47 | $114 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $13.16 | $158 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $7.59 | $91.14 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $8.06 | $96.67 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $23.90 | $287 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $6.77 | $81.29 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $9.79 | $117 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $8.62 | $103 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $8.64 | $104 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $7.84 | $94.06 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $6.99 | $83.90 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $6.52 | $78.25 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $16.27 | $195 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $10.84 | $130 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $15.44 | $185 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $11.65 | $140 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $8.71 | $105 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $7.31 | $87.73 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $8.12 | $97.40 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $7.89 | $94.67 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $6.86 | $82.32 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $6.44 | $77.34 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $14.00 | $168 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $12.47 | $150 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $8.37 | $100 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $14.52 | $174 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $7.57 | $90.90 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $6.74 | $80.92 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $9.82 | $118 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $7.51 | $90.11 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $8.07 | $96.79 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $11.03 | $132 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $14.28 | $171 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $7.99 | $95.82 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $7.68 | $92.11 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $6.80 | $81.59 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $8.06 | $96.73 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $6.74 | $80.92 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $12.08 | $145 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $8.94 | $107 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $7.41 | $88.95 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $8.26 | $99.16 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $9.83 | $118 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $7.31 | $87.73 |
FAQ
How many watts does a dryer use?
Most dryers use 1,800–6,000 watts while running (typically about 4,000 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $9.20 a month ($110 a year).
How much does it cost to run a dryer?
About $9.20 a month at the U.S. average rate (18.16¢/kWh, August 2026), based on the median ENERGY STAR model (608 kWh/yr rated). In the cheapest state it's about $6.44 a month; in the most expensive, $23.90.
How many kWh does a dryer use?
About 608 kWh a year (51 kWh a month), based on the median ENERGY STAR model (608 kWh/yr rated).
Can a power station or generator run a dryer?
It draws too much power to run long on a battery: a 1,000 Wh power station would last only about 13 minutes. Look for at least 6,000 W continuous output.