How Much Electricity Does an Electric Blanket Use?
So how much electricity does an electric blanket use? An electric blanket draws surprisingly little power — 60 watts for a single/twin size, up to 100 watts for a double or queen. Even used every night through a cold season, it's one of the cheapest ways to stay warm compared to raising the thermostat for the whole house — use the calculator below with your own rate to see the cost.
Calculate your cost to run an electric blanket
Enter your rate to see your estimate.
What affects how much electricity an electric blanket uses
Blanket size is the main factor, since a larger blanket has more heating wire to power. Heat setting also matters: most blankets draw their full rated wattage mainly during the initial warm-up, then cycle on and off on lower settings to hold a steady temperature, so a blanket left on a low setting all night draws less on average than its rated wattage suggests.
How to reduce your electric blanket's electricity use
- Use the lowest heat setting that still feels comfortable, since most of the draw happens during warm-up
- Preheat the bed for 10-15 minutes before getting in, then turn it down or off rather than running it all night on high
- Turn it off once you're warm rather than leaving it running the entire night
- Choose a single/twin-size blanket if you don't need to heat the whole bed
Typical wattage figure: 60 W (single/twin size) to 100 W (double/queen size). Source: DOE-developed appliance energy table, reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), publication BSE-301. Most of that draw happens on the initial warm-up; a blanket set on a low or moderate setting after that cycles on and off to hold temperature. We review this figure periodically and update it if the source changes; last checked September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does an electric blanket use?
A single or twin-size electric blanket draws around 60 watts, and a double or queen size draws around 100 watts, according to a DOE-developed appliance energy table reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension.
How much does it cost to run an electric blanket?
An 80-watt blanket run 6 hours a night at the U.S. average rate of about 16.5 cents/kWh costs roughly $0.08 a night, or about $2.40 a month used every night. Use the calculator above with your own blanket's wattage and rate for an exact figure.
Is an electric blanket cheaper than turning up the heat?
Usually, yes. Warming just the bed with a low-wattage blanket costs far less than raising a whole house's thermostat for the same comfort, since central heating has to warm every room rather than just the few square feet you're actually using.
How can I reduce how much electricity my electric blanket uses?
Use the lowest comfortable heat setting, since most of the wattage draw happens during initial warm-up rather than while holding a steady temperature. Preheating the bed for 10-15 minutes and then turning it down, rather than running it on high all night, also cuts cost.
This page provides estimates based on typical wattage figures and the numbers you enter. Actual electricity cost depends on your specific blanket's size and heat setting. Always follow the manufacturer's safety instructions for electric blankets.