How Much Electricity Does a Dishwasher Use?
So how much electricity does a dishwasher use? A dishwasher typically draws 1,200 to 2,400 watts, and most of that draw happens during the heated dry cycle rather than the wash and rinse portion. Use the calculator below with your own dishwasher's wattage and rate to see what a typical cycle actually costs.
Calculate your cost to run a dishwasher
Enter your rate to see your estimate.
What affects how much electricity a dishwasher uses
The heated dry cycle is the single biggest factor, since heating air (or the dishes themselves) to speed drying draws far more power than the wash and rinse cycles, which mostly just run a pump and heat water to a lower temperature. Water heating settings matter too: a "sanitize" or high-temperature wash setting uses more electricity than a standard cycle. Whether you skip the heated dry option in favor of air-drying or a door-open cycle can noticeably change per-load cost.
How to reduce your dishwasher's electricity use
- Skip the heated dry cycle and let dishes air dry instead, or prop the door open after the wash finishes
- Only run full loads rather than half-empty ones
- Use the eco or normal cycle instead of a heavy or sanitize cycle when dishes aren't heavily soiled
- Scrape rather than pre-rinse dishes under running water, since most modern dishwashers don't need it
Typical wattage figure: 1,200-2,400 W. Source: DOE-developed appliance energy table, reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), publication BSE-301. The heated dry cycle draws much more than the wash/rinse portion of the cycle. We review this figure periodically and update it if the source changes; last checked September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a dishwasher use?
A dishwasher typically draws 1,200 to 2,400 watts, according to a DOE-developed appliance energy table reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension, with the heated dry cycle drawing much more than the wash and rinse portion.
How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?
An 1,800-watt dishwasher run for one hour at the U.S. average rate of about 16.5 cents/kWh costs roughly $0.30 per cycle. Use the calculator above with your own dishwasher's wattage and typical cycle length for an exact figure.
Is it cheaper to hand-wash dishes than use a dishwasher?
Not necessarily — a full dishwasher load is often more water- and energy-efficient than hand-washing the same number of dishes under running water, especially with an ENERGY STAR-certified model. The electricity cost of a single dishwasher cycle is usually small; the water heating (whether by the dishwasher or your tap) is often the bigger factor in either method.
How can I reduce how much electricity my dishwasher uses?
Skip the heated dry cycle and let dishes air-dry, only run full loads instead of partial ones, and use the eco or normal cycle rather than a heavy or sanitize setting when your dishes aren't heavily soiled.
This page provides estimates based on typical wattage figures and the numbers you enter. Actual electricity cost depends on your specific dishwasher model, cycle selection, and whether heated dry is used.