How Much Does a Wi-Fi router Cost to Run? (2026 Calculator)
Typical setup: 10 W · 24 h/day · $0.180/kWh
Daily
$0.04
Monthly
$1.29
Yearly
$15.75
Quick rate
Daily cost
$0.04
Monthly cost
$1.29
+$0.00 vs typical
Yearly cost
$15.75
kWh / month
7.2 kWh
Local monthly estimate: $1.29 · U.S. average equivalent: $1.29
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ad-after-calculator Quick answer
A typical wi-fi router uses about 10 W and costs about $0.04/day or $1.21/month at the U.S. average rate of $0.17/kWh, assuming 24 hours of use per day. At the same rate, costs range from about $0.02/day (5 W) to $0.08/day (20 W).
State explorer
Quickly spot cheapest, highest, and near-average monthly costs.
Top 10 cheapest
Top 10 highest
- Hawaii $2.86
- Massachusetts $2.24
- Maine $2.21
- California $2.18
- Rhode Island $2.17
- New York $2.04
- Connecticut $2.04
- New Hampshire $1.90
- Alaska $1.84
- District of Columbia $1.71
Cost by state (monthly)
At typical 10 W and 24 h/day. Rates from our dataset (see methodology ). Open a state for a dedicated calculator page.
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ad-after-state-table Wattage range
| Level | Watts | Est. monthly @ avg rate |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 5 W | $0.65 |
| Typical | 10 W | $1.29 |
| High | 20 W | $2.59 |
Energy saving tips
- Choose ENERGY STAR or high-efficiency models when replacing this appliance.
- Check and adjust temperature or power settings to the recommended levels.
- Keep the appliance well maintained so it can run efficiently.
FAQ
- Most wi-fi router units fall between 5 W and 20 W, with 10 W as a typical operating value for estimates.
- Our estimates use 10 W as the typical wattage, within a reported range of 5–20 W.
- At typical use (24 hours/day at 10 W), the estimate is about 0.24 kWh/day and 7.2 kWh/month at the U.S. average rate.
- With 24 hours/day and 10 W, this appliance uses about 0.24 kWh per day.
- At 24 hours/day, the monthly estimate is about 7.2 kWh per month.
- Per hour, the typical draw is about 0.010 kWh (at 10 W).
- At the U.S. average electricity rate of $0.17/kWh, the typical daily cost is about $0.04/day for 24 hours/day.
- At the U.S. average electricity rate of $0.17/kWh, the typical monthly cost is about $1.21/month at 24 hours/day.
- Running for one hour at 10 W costs about $0.00/hour (using 0.17 $/kWh as the U.S. average).
- With typical use (24 hours/day at 10 W), the estimate is about $0.04/day or $1.21/month at the U.S. average rate.
- The estimate is about 7.2 kWh per month, which corresponds to roughly $1.21/month at the U.S. average rate. Your real bill depends on your rate and runtime.
- Use energy-saving tips tailored to this appliance. For example: Choose ENERGY STAR or high-efficiency models when replacing this appliance. — reducing kWh reduces the bill at your local rate.