How Much Electricity Does a Dryer Use?
How much electricity does a dryer use? Usually 1,800 to 5,000 watts. Enter your wattage and rate below for the exact cost.
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Dryer electricity cost calculator
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How the math works: 3,000 W × 1 hour ÷ 1,000 = 3 kWh. × $0.165 per kWh (the 2024 U.S. average) = $0.49 per one-hour load.
An electric clothes dryer typically draws 1,800 to 5,000 watts, making it one of the higher-wattage appliances in a typical home. Because a full cycle usually runs 40 to 60 minutes, the per-load cost adds up even though it's not running all day.
What affects how much electricity a dryer uses
- Heating element: the main factor, and its size varies a lot between models.
- Gas or electric: gas dryers draw much less electricity, since gas does the heating and electricity only runs the drum motor and controls.
- Load size and moisture: an overloaded dryer or a very wet load takes longer to dry, which means more runtime per load.
How to reduce your dryer's electricity use
- Run a high-speed spin cycle on the washer first to remove as much water as possible before drying
- Clean the lint trap before every load, since a clogged trap forces the dryer to run longer
- Dry similar-weight fabrics together so lighter items don't finish early while heavier ones keep the cycle running
- Use the moisture sensor setting instead of a fixed timer, if your dryer has one, so it stops as soon as clothes are dry
Typical wattage figure: 1,800-5,000 W. Source: DOE-developed appliance energy table, reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), publication BSE-301. Varies significantly by heating element size and cycle. Gas dryers draw much less electricity than electric dryers. We review this figure periodically and update it if the source changes; last checked September 2026. Cedrick Reese built this dryer cost calculator and rechecks the wattage figure against the source above.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a dryer use?
An electric clothes dryer typically draws 1,800 to 5,000 watts, according to a DOE-developed appliance energy table reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension. Gas dryers draw substantially less electricity since the heating comes from gas rather than an electric element.
How much does it cost to run a dryer?
A 3,000-watt dryer run for one hour at the U.S. average rate of about 16.5 cents/kWh costs roughly $0.49 per load. Use the calculator above with your own dryer's wattage and typical cycle length for an exact figure.
Does an electric dryer cost more to run than a gas dryer?
Generally yes, per load, since an electric dryer's heating element draws far more power than a gas dryer's igniter and blower motor. Gas dryers do have their own fuel cost on top of a smaller electricity draw, so the total cost comparison depends on your local gas and electricity rates.
How can I reduce how much electricity my dryer uses?
Spin-dry clothes in the washer first so the dryer has less moisture to remove, clean the lint trap before every load, and use a moisture sensor setting instead of a fixed timer if your dryer has one, so it stops as soon as the load is actually dry.
This page provides estimates based on typical wattage figures and the numbers you enter. Actual electricity cost depends on your specific dryer model, load size, and cycle length.