🔋 Phone charging

How much electricity does charging a phone use? Cost per charge

How much energy it takes to charge a phone, tablet or laptop, and what it costs in a year. Plus chargers left plugged in.

Per charge

15 Wh

Cost per charge

$0.003 · £0.004

Per year · 5 kWh

$1 · £1

With 7 times a week, electricity at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh all-in.

A full smartphone charge takes about 15 Wh (0.015 kWh), charger losses included: charging every day for a year uses about 5.5 kWh, about a euro.

A modern charger left plugged in without a phone uses under 0.1 W: that’s not where energy is wasted at home.

Consumption compared

TypeUsagekWh/yearCost/year
Smartphone15 Wh / charge5$1 · £1
Tablet35 Wh / charge13$2 · £3
Laptop70 Wh / charge25$5 · £7

Yearly cost with 7 times a week.

Work out your cost

Per charge
$0.003
Per month
$0.08
Per year
$1
Energy per year
5.5 kWh

The price is a typical all-in figure for your country: replace it with yours (bill total ÷ kWh).

How to use less

  • The real consumption is elsewhere: fridge, water heater, set-top box and console standby.
  • Enable optimised charging: the battery lasts more years.
  • Very old chargers that get warm waste more: replace them.

FAQ

How much electricity does charging a phone use?
About 15 Wh per charge, from 5 Wh to 0.1 kWh depending on model and programme.
How much does it cost per year?
With 7 times a week it uses about 5 kWh a year: about $1 · £1 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.
How can I reduce it?
The real consumption is elsewhere: fridge, water heater, set-top box and console standby. Enable optimised charging: the battery lasts more years.
🔌GuideStandby power: what always-on devices really cost

And what does your whole home use?

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