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How many watts does a toaster use?

A typical toaster uses 850–1,800 watts when running and draws 7.1–15 amps at 120 volts.

Toaster watts, amps and circuit

Typical power use of a toaster
Running watts850–1,800 W
Voltage120 V
Running amps7.1–15 A
Circuitstandard 120 V outlet

Also called: toaster oven, 2-slice toaster, 4-slice toaster.

Toaster watts by size and type

Running and starting watts of toaster types
Size or typeRunning watts, WVolts, VAmps, AStarting watts, W
Toaster850–1,8001207.1–15—
2-slice toaster850–9001207.1–7.5—
4-slice toaster1,500–1,80012012.5–15—
Toaster oven1,500–1,80012012.5–15—
01,0002,000Watts, WSize or typeToasterToaster, Running watts: 850–1,800850–1,8002-slice toaster2-slice toaster, Running watts: 850–900850–9004-slice toaster4-slice toaster, Running watts: 1,500–1,8001,500–1,800Toaster ovenToaster oven, Running watts: 1,500–1,8001,500–1,80005001,0001,5002,000Watts, WSize or typeToasterToaster, Running watts: 850–1,800850–1,8002-slice toaster2-slice toaster, Running watts: 850–900850–9004-slice toaster4-slice toaster, Running watts: 1,500–1,8001,500–1,800Toaster ovenToaster oven, Running watts: 1,500–1,8001,500–1,800
Watts of toaster types. The lighter part of a bar is the upper end of the typical range.

What size generator runs a toaster?

A toaster needs a generator that supplies at least 1,800 running watts. A 2,000 W generator covers it with its running rating alone; add the watts of anything else you run at the same time.

How long a portable power station runs a toaster

Runtime of a toaster on a portable power station, at 85% inverter efficiency
Battery capacity, WhAt 1,800 W, hAt 850 W, h
5000.20.5
1,0000.51
2,0000.92
3,6001.73.6

A 500 Wh portable power station runs a toaster drawing 1,800 W for about 0.2 hours at 85% inverter efficiency. Runtime = capacity × 85% ÷ watts; the 85% efficiency is an assumption. The power station's AC output must be at least 1,800 W.

What it costs to run a toaster

Running a toaster at 1,325 W, the middle of its 850–1,800 W range, for one hour a day uses 483.6 kWh a year. That costs about $87 a year at $0.18 per kWh, the US average residential price for August 2026.

W
h
$/kWh

Your bill's total ÷ kWh used. 0.18 is the US residential average.

Result
$7.25 / month
Per day
$0.24
Per year
$87
Energy per day
1.33 kWh
Energy per month
40.3 kWh

How it is calculated

  1. kWh per day = 1,325 W × 1 h ÷ 1,000 = 1.325
  2. Per month = 1.325 kWh × 30.4 days × $0.18 = $7.25

What affects toaster power use

A toaster is a set of bare heating wires that run at full power for the whole toasting time. More slots mean more wire and more watts. Running a toaster and another heating appliance on the same kitchen circuit can trip the breaker.

How the amps are calculated

Amps = watts ÷ volts. For 1,800 W at 120 V that is 15 A. The 850–1,800 W range covers typical models; the nameplate on a toaster gives the exact figure.

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