Cost to Run a 50-watt TV for 4 hours
Running a 50-watt TV for 4 hours uses 0.2 kWh and costs $0.035 at $0.175/kWh. Do that every day and it adds up to $1.05 a month.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.0090.05 kWh
- Per day
- $0.0350.2 kWh
- Per week
- $0.2451.4 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $1.056 kWh
- Per year
- $12.7873 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 50-watt TV cost per hour?
At $0.175/kWh, it costs $0.009 per hour. The maths: 50 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.05 kWh per hour, × $0.175 = $0.009.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 4 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $1.05 per month and uses 6 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
0.2 kWh per day, 6 kWh per month and 73 kWh per year at 4 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.
How can I lower the cost?
Lower brightness and turn off quick-start modes that keep the TV warm in standby. Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.
Does my electricity rate change the answer?
Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $0.60 and at 30¢ it is $1.80. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.
Cost by hours of use
| Used per day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.05 kWh | $0.009 | $0.263 | $3.19 |
| 2 hours | 0.1 kWh | $0.018 | $0.525 | $6.39 |
| 3 hours | 0.15 kWh | $0.026 | $0.788 | $9.58 |
| 4 hours | 0.2 kWh | $0.035 | $1.05 | $12.78 |
| 5 hours | 0.25 kWh | $0.044 | $1.31 | $15.97 |
| 6 hours | 0.3 kWh | $0.053 | $1.58 | $19.16 |
| 7 hours | 0.35 kWh | $0.061 | $1.84 | $22.36 |
| 8 hours | 0.4 kWh | $0.07 | $2.10 | $25.55 |
| 9 hours | 0.45 kWh | $0.079 | $2.36 | $28.74 |
| 10 hours | 0.5 kWh | $0.088 | $2.63 | $31.94 |
| 11 hours | 0.55 kWh | $0.096 | $2.89 | $35.13 |
| 12 hours | 0.6 kWh | $0.105 | $3.15 | $38.33 |
| 13 hours | 0.65 kWh | $0.114 | $3.41 | $41.52 |
| 14 hours | 0.7 kWh | $0.123 | $3.68 | $44.71 |
| 15 hours | 0.75 kWh | $0.131 | $3.94 | $47.91 |
| 16 hours | 0.8 kWh | $0.14 | $4.20 | $51.10 |
| 17 hours | 0.85 kWh | $0.149 | $4.46 | $54.29 |
| 18 hours | 0.9 kWh | $0.158 | $4.73 | $57.49 |
| 19 hours | 0.95 kWh | $0.166 | $4.99 | $60.68 |
| 20 hours | 1 kWh | $0.175 | $5.25 | $63.88 |
| 21 hours | 1.05 kWh | $0.184 | $5.51 | $67.07 |
| 22 hours | 1.1 kWh | $0.193 | $5.78 | $70.26 |
| 23 hours | 1.15 kWh | $0.201 | $6.04 | $73.46 |
| 24 hours | 1.2 kWh | $0.21 | $6.30 | $76.65 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 50 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.05 kWh
- Cost per hour: 0.05 kWh × $0.175 = $0.009
- Cost per day: × 4 hours = $0.035
- Month and year: × 30 days = $1.05, × 365 days = $12.78
What it costs in different places
Same 50-watt TV, 4 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $1.05 |
| California | $0.32 | $1.92 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $0.93 |
| New York | $0.25 | $1.50 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $0.93 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $1.02 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $1.08 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $1.02 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $0.69 |
About TV running costs
Modern LED TVs use between 50 and 150 W depending on screen size and brightness. Large OLED and older plasma sets use more.
Typical sizes: 50 W, 100 W, 150 W, 200 W.
How to spend less: Lower brightness and turn off quick-start modes that keep the TV warm in standby.
What this estimate assumes
- The appliance draws its full stated wattage the whole time it is on. Real units with a thermostat cycle off and cost less.
- Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
- The rate is an approximate residential average. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
- A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.