How Much Electricity Does a Hair Dryer Use?
How much electricity does a hair dryer use? Usually 1,200 to 1,875 watts. Enter your wattage and rate below for the exact cost.
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Hair dryer electricity cost calculator
Enter your rate to see your estimate.
How the math works: 1,500 W × (10 ÷ 60) hours ÷ 1,000 = 0.25 kWh. × $0.165 per kWh (the 2024 U.S. average) = $0.04 per 10-minute use.
A hair dryer typically draws 1,200 to 1,875 watts, making it one of the higher-wattage things you'll plug in, but because it's usually only running for a few minutes at a time, the actual cost per use is small.
What affects how much electricity a hair dryer uses
- Heat and speed settings: high heat and high fan speed draw close to the full rated wattage, while a lower or cool-shot setting draws less.
- Hair length and thickness: more hair takes longer to dry, which means more runtime even though the wattage barely changes.
- Intake filter: a worn or clogged air intake filter can make the dryer take longer to do the same job.
How to reduce your hair dryer's electricity use
- Towel-dry hair thoroughly before switching the dryer on, so it has less water to evaporate
- Use a lower heat or speed setting when full power isn't needed, especially for finishing or touch-ups
- Keep the intake filter or vents free of lint and hair buildup, since a restricted airflow can extend drying time
- Air-dry partially before finishing with the dryer, rather than starting from completely soaked hair
Typical wattage figure: 1,200-1,875 W. Source: DOE-developed appliance energy table, reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), publication BSE-301. Higher wattage settings dry hair faster but draw more power while running; most dryers are used for just a few minutes at a time. We review this figure periodically and update it if the source changes; last checked September 2026. Cedrick Reese built this hair dryer cost calculator and rechecks the wattage figure against the source above.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a hair dryer use?
A hair dryer typically draws 1,200 to 1,875 watts, according to a DOE-developed appliance energy table reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension, with higher heat and speed settings drawing closer to the top of that range.
How much does it cost to run a hair dryer?
A 1,500-watt dryer run for 10 minutes at the U.S. average rate of about 16.5 cents/kWh costs roughly $0.04 per use. Use the calculator above with your own dryer's wattage and typical drying time for an exact figure.
Is a hair dryer one of the higher-wattage things I plug in?
Yes, its wattage rating is on par with a space heater or toaster oven, among the higher-draw devices in a typical bathroom or bedroom outlet. Because it's usually only running for a few minutes rather than hours, though, its actual cost per use stays low despite the high wattage.
How can I reduce how much electricity my hair dryer uses?
Towel-dry hair thoroughly first so there's less water to evaporate, use a lower heat or speed setting when you don't need full power, and keep the intake vents free of lint and hair buildup so it isn't working harder than it needs to.
This page provides estimates based on typical wattage figures and the numbers you enter. Actual electricity cost depends on your specific dryer's wattage rating, settings, and how long it's used.