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Washing Machine Electricity Cost Calculator

Estimate the electricity cost per wash, week, average month and year using your machine's energy label or a measured reading and your own electricity price.

Quick answer: If a label says 50 kWh per 100 cycles, the labelled average is 0.5 kWh per cycle. At an illustrative price of USD 0.20 per kWh, that is USD 0.10 for electricity per labelled cycle. Actual use depends on the programme, load and conditions.

The starting figures are teaching examples, not a current tariff or a measured machine. Replace them with your own inputs. The result is an estimate, not a complete utility bill.

Where is your energy figure from? Energy on the label (kWh per 100 cycles) Use the energy number, not the A–G efficiency grade. Washes per week Electricity price per kWh Price entered as Currency label For example: USD, GBP, EUR, PKR or INR. No exchange conversion is performed.

Optionally estimate the water charge

Enter both values to add an illustrative water-supply charge. Leave both blank for electricity only.

Water per wash (litres) Water price per 1,000 litres Enter this price in the currency units named above, even if the electricity rate is in cents or pence.

Wastewater, standing charges and local taxes are not automatically included.

Enter your figures and select Calculate washing costs.

How to read an energy label

Many newer EU washing-machine labels show energy in kWh per 100 cycles. Divide that number by 100 to get the labelled energy per cycle. The EU figure is based on a standardised eco 40–60 programme; a different programme, load or temperature may use a different amount. The label also shows water consumption per cycle. See the European Commission's washing-machine label guide.

If your label or manual uses a different period, follow its own definition instead of entering it as kWh per 100 cycles. Washer-dryer labels can distinguish washing only from washing and drying; use the figure that matches the cycle you want to estimate.

Worked example

A fictional machine is labelled 50 kWh per 100 cycles. A household runs five equivalent cycles per week and pays an assumed USD 0.20 per kWh:

Electricity per labelled cycle: 50 ÷ 100 = 0.5 kWh.
Electricity charge per cycle: 0.5 × 0.20 = USD 0.10.
At five cycles every week: 0.5 × 5 × 52 = 130 kWh per year, or USD 26.00 in electricity charges.
The average month is annual use divided by 12: about 10.83 kWh and USD 2.17. Individual months have different numbers of days and washes.

Why not multiply the maximum watts by the entire cycle?

A washing machine's power can change during a wash. The heating element, motor and controls do not necessarily use their maximum input for the whole programme. A measured kWh figure for a representative complete cycle can be more useful than treating the maximum label watts as continuous. Use a meter only if it and the installation are suitable for the appliance; follow the manufacturer's instructions.

What is included in the result?

The main result estimates the electricity associated with the energy figure you enter. A separate dryer, detergent, separately heated incoming water and equipment not included in a meter reading may add costs. Energy labels differ by country and test method, so check the label or manual to see what its figure includes.

The optional water estimate is litres per cycle ÷ 1,000 × your water price per 1,000 litres. Water bills can include wastewater, fixed charges, taxes or a different tariff. Electricity results also exclude fixed charges and bill adjustments unless already reflected in the rate you enter.

More ways to check household energy

Read how to calculate appliance electricity units, explore the fridge electricity guide, or return to Climate Calculator.

Educational calculator and hypothetical examples prepared 9 November 2026. Figures depend on your inputs and are not a promise of savings. Inputs are calculated in your browser; site analytics and advertising are described in the privacy policy.