How Much Does a Laptop Cost to Run?
Updated March 2026. Default rate effective 1 April 2026 (Ofgem Q2 2026). Figures are typical estimates rather than model-specific guarantees.
A laptop costs approximately 6p per day and around £22 per year to run based on 5 hours of daily use. Laptops are extremely energy-efficient compared to desktop PCs, using roughly 80-90% less electricity.
Calculator24.5p/kWh
W
hrs
p/kWh
Per hour
1.2p
Per day
6.1p
Per week
42.9p
Per month
£1.86
Annual cost
£22.36
Typical annual electricity use: 91.25 kWh
Based on typical laptop usage at current rates.
Annual estimate
£22.36
Annual electricity use
91.25 kWh
Typical household bill context
About 3% of a typical home's annual variable electricity spend at the current default rate.
What Affects the Cost of Running a Laptop?
Laptop costs depend on: Type — standard laptops draw 30-65W while gaming laptops can draw 100-180W. Activity — web browsing uses 30-50W, video editing uses 50-80W, gaming on a gaming laptop uses 100-180W.
Related appliances
Assumptions and methodology
- Electricity rate: 24.5p/kWh (Ofgem Q2 2026)
- Default wattage is based on a typical appliance in this category
- Usage assumptions are meant to be a sensible starting point, not a fixed rule
- Costs vary with tariff, model, settings, load size, and household habits
Tips to Reduce Laptop Running Costs
Use the laptop on battery power when possible and charge in one session — this avoids the small inefficiency of continuous charging. Reduce screen brightness to extend battery life and lower energy consumption.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about electricity costs and our calculators.