What is the Electricity Single Usage Cost Calculator?
This tool tells you how much it costs to run one appliance for a set amount of time. By entering the device's power draw in watts, how many hours you use it, and your electricity price per kilowatt-hour (kWh), you instantly see the energy consumed and the resulting cost. It works with any currency — just enter your local price per kWh and the answer comes back in the same units.
How to use it
Find the wattage of your appliance, usually printed on a label or in the manual (for example, 1500 W for a heater). Enter that value, the number of hours you plan to run it, and the price you pay per kWh from your electricity bill. The calculator shows total energy in kWh and the total cost.
The formula explained
Electricity is billed by the kilowatt-hour. Since power is measured in watts, you first divide by 1000 to convert to kilowatts. Multiplying by hours gives kilowatt-hours (kWh), the amount of energy used. Multiply that by your price per kWh to get the cost:
$$\text{Cost} = \frac{\text{Power (W)}}{1000} \times \text{Hours} \times \text{Price per kWh}$$
Worked example
Suppose a 1500 W space heater runs for 3 hours and electricity costs $0.15 per kWh. Energy used = $$(1500 \div 1000) \times 3 = 4.5 \text{ kWh}.$$ Cost = $$4.5 \times 0.15 = \$0.675,$$ or about 68 cents.
FAQ
Where do I find an appliance's wattage? Check the rating label on the device, the power supply, or the user manual. If only amps and volts are listed, multiply them to get watts.
What price per kWh should I use? Use the rate shown on your latest electricity bill. Rates vary by region and provider, and some plans charge different rates at different times of day.
Does this include standby power? No — it estimates cost only for the active hours you enter. Devices left on standby use additional energy you would need to account for separately.
