How to use this calculator
Enter average operating watts or choose Energy label for a value in kWh/1,000h. Add total daily viewing hours and the electricity price per kWh from your bill. Results update as you change the inputs.
The default electricity price is only a sample value. Electricity rates vary by country, state, utility plan, season, and time of use, so the price field is intentionally editable.
Turn on Compare another TV to use the same viewing schedule and rate for both models. Purchase prices are optional; add them to compare purchase-plus-electricity costs over your chosen ownership period. Use the same currency for all prices.
If you are comparing TVs before buying, the TV Size Calculator and TV Resolution Calculator can help you decide whether a larger or higher-resolution screen is worth it for your room.
TV electricity cost formula
SDR hours = total viewing hours - HDR hoursactive kWh per day = (SDR watts x SDR hours + HDR watts x HDR hours) / 1000standby kWh per day = standby watts x standby hours / 1000electricity cost = total kWh x electricity price per kWhownership cost = purchase price + yearly electricity cost x yearspayback years = extra purchase price / positive yearly electricity savingsThe calculator separates active viewing from standby power, then adds both to estimate daily energy use. Monthly cost uses the average number of days per month (365/12), while yearly cost uses 365 days. With HDR separation off, the single operating power covers all viewing hours. Standby uses the remaining hours out of 24 when enabled.
Which TV energy-label number should you enter?
For a label showing kWh/1,000h, enter the number beside SDR. If you watch HDR content and the label provides an HDR value, enable separate viewing modes and enter that value too. For example, 100 kWh/1,000h is equivalent to 100 W averaged over the test.
A label showing annual kWh is not interchangeable: its result depends on the label's daily-use assumptions and what operating modes it includes. Do not paste annual kWh into the power field or add standby to an annual total that already includes it. Find on-mode power in the product sheet or measure it instead.
For an existing TV, a plug-in energy meter over representative viewing can be more useful than a maximum rating. Keep picture settings comparable when checking two models. Screen size and panel type alone do not establish power consumption.
Assumptions and methodology
This tool estimates running cost from user-entered wattage and price per kWh. It does not measure your actual TV, and it does not know your utility plan, time-of-use pricing, taxes, or fees.
- Power use can change with brightness, HDR, and picture mode.
- Standby cost is estimated from standby watts and the hours when the TV is not actively on.
- Use a plug-in energy meter if you need a real measured value for a specific TV and room setup.
- Check your utility bill for your actual electricity price per kWh.
- Purchase-plus-electricity estimates keep usage and tariffs constant. They exclude repairs, financing, resale value, and future price changes.
- Standby assumes the TV remains plugged in for all non-viewing hours. Turn it off in the calculation if you disconnect power instead.
For the most accurate result, use the electricity price from your own utility bill and average operating power from the product sheet or a plug-in energy meter. Regional averages are only rough context; your local rate and real TV settings are the inputs that matter most.
Example calculations
120 W TV, 5 hours per day
A 120 W TV used for 5 hours per day uses about 0.609 kWh per day when standby is included. At $0.18/kWh, that is about $3.34 per month or $40.04 per year.
Is a more efficient TV worth the extra price?
In this hypothetical comparison, TV A costs $800 and uses 150 W; TV B costs $1,100 and uses 100 W. Both run for 4 hours daily at $0.30/kWh and use 0.5 W in standby for the other 20 hours.
TV B saves $21.90 per year, but its $300 premium takes about 13.7 years to recover. Over five years, purchase plus electricity is $1133.98 for A versus $1324.48 for B. The lower-power TV is not the lower-cost choice over that period.
That does not make either TV universally better. Picture quality, viewing comfort, and features may justify a price difference; electricity savings alone may not. These are example inputs, not measurements of specific products.
TV electricity cost chart
This chart assumes 5 hours of TV use per day, $0.18/kWh electricity, and 0.5 W standby power. Use the calculator above for your own rate and viewing time.
| TV power | Daily energy | Monthly cost | Yearly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 W | 0.260 kWh | $1.42 | $17.05 |
| 75 W | 0.385 kWh | $2.11 | $25.26 |
| 100 W | 0.509 kWh | $2.79 | $33.47 |
| 120 W | 0.609 kWh | $3.34 | $40.04 |
| 150 W | 0.759 kWh | $4.16 | $49.90 |
| 200 W | 1.01 kWh | $5.53 | $66.32 |
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FAQ
How much does it cost to run a TV?
Using the default example of 120 watts, 5 hours per day, and $0.18/kWh, including 0.5 W standby for the remaining 19 hours, the TV costs about $3.34 per month or $40.04 per year.
How do I find my TV wattage?
Use measured average operating watts or a product sheet's on-mode consumption. A maximum rating on the TV or power adapter is not typical viewing power. For labels stated in kWh/1,000h, choose Energy label. Annual kWh on an EnergyGuide label is a different input and is not supported directly.
Does standby mode use much electricity?
Usually it is small compared with active viewing, but it can still add a little cost over a full year. Leave standby included for a realistic estimate, or turn it off if you only want active viewing cost.
How much does it cost to leave a TV on all day?
Set daily viewing time to 24 hours. The calculator will estimate the daily, monthly, and yearly cost using the wattage and electricity price you enter.
Do larger TVs always cost more to run?
Larger TVs often use more power, but not always. Brightness, display technology, energy-saving mode, HDR settings, and model efficiency can matter as much as screen size.
How do I convert kWh/1,000h to TV running cost?
The number in kWh/1,000h equals average watts: 100 kWh/1,000h means 100 W under the label's test conditions. Multiply that number by daily viewing hours and divide by 1,000 to get daily kWh, then multiply by your electricity rate. Standby is calculated separately.
Does HDR use the same amount of power as SDR?
Not necessarily. Use the separate SDR and HDR consumption values for your model when available. Enter HDR viewing as part of total daily viewing time, not extra hours. If you only have one measured average covering your usual content, leave separate SDR/HDR viewing off.
Is OLED always more expensive to run than Mini LED?
No. Compare actual model data under comparable picture settings. Mini LED is an LCD backlight technology, not a guarantee of lower power. Brightness, content, size, and picture mode affect consumption; this tool does not assign a fixed wattage from panel type or diagonal alone.
Can a more efficient TV recover its higher purchase price?
Only if it saves enough electricity cost during your ownership. Divide the higher purchase price by positive annual savings. If there are no savings, there is no energy-cost payback. A payback longer than your planned ownership is not recovered within that period. Compare picture quality and other needs separately.
How many watts per hour does a TV use?
Watts describe power; kWh describes energy used over time. A TV drawing 100 W for one hour uses 0.1 kWh. You do not need a watts-per-hour value for this calculator.
Why is my actual TV electricity cost different?
Your bill may differ because electricity rates vary by location and plan, TV power changes with content and settings, and the wattage printed on a label may be a maximum or rated value rather than your exact real-world usage.