How Much Electricity Does a Coffee Maker Use?
So how much electricity does a coffee maker use? A drip coffee maker typically draws 900 to 1,200 watts, but because most of that happens during a brew cycle that lasts just a few minutes, the per-pot cost is small. Use the calculator below with your own coffee maker's wattage and how long it actually runs (including any warming plate) to see the real cost.
Calculate your cost to run a coffee maker
Enter your rate to see your estimate.
What affects how much electricity a coffee maker uses
The heating element that brews the water is the main draw, and it's only working for the few minutes it takes to brew a pot. A warming plate that keeps a full pot hot afterward adds a smaller but steadier draw on top of that, and how long you leave it on matters directly, since a plate left on for an hour after brewing uses more electricity than one turned off right after pouring a cup. Single-serve pod machines generally brew faster per cup but may run a standby heating element between uses.
How to reduce your coffee maker's electricity use
- Turn off the warming plate (or use a model without one) once you've poured your coffee, instead of leaving a pot warming for hours
- Brew only as much as you'll drink, since a smaller batch means less time the heating element needs to run
- Unplug or use a smart plug for a pod-style machine that keeps a standby heater running between uses
- Descale the machine periodically, since mineral buildup can make the heating element work harder to reach brewing temperature
Typical wattage figure: 900-1,200 W. Source: DOE-developed appliance energy table, reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), publication BSE-301. Most of that draw happens during the brew cycle itself, which typically only runs a few minutes; a warming plate left on afterward adds a smaller, steadier draw. We review this figure periodically and update it if the source changes; last checked September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a coffee maker use?
A drip coffee maker typically draws 900 to 1,200 watts, according to a DOE-developed appliance energy table reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension, with most of that draw happening during the few-minute brew cycle rather than while a warming plate holds the pot hot afterward.
How much does it cost to run a coffee maker?
A 1,000-watt coffee maker run for 15 minutes (a typical brew cycle) at the U.S. average rate of about 16.5 cents/kWh costs roughly $0.04 per pot. Use the calculator above with your own machine's wattage and brew-plus-warming time for an exact figure.
Does leaving the warming plate on cost much extra?
It adds up more than the brew cycle itself if left on for a long stretch, since the plate draws power continuously rather than just for a few minutes. Turning it off (or pouring your coffee into a thermal carafe instead of leaving it on a heated plate) keeps the added cost small.
How can I reduce how much electricity my coffee maker uses?
Turn off the warming plate once you've poured a cup instead of leaving a pot warming for hours, brew only as much as you'll actually drink, and descale the machine periodically so the heating element doesn't have to work harder than it should to reach brewing temperature.
This page provides estimates based on typical wattage figures and the numbers you enter. Actual electricity cost depends on your specific machine, brew size, and how long any warming plate is left on.