How Many Amps Do Common Appliances Use? Amp and Watt Chart
To find the amps an appliance uses, divide the watts by the volts. A 1,500 W space heater draws 12.5 amps at 120 volts, and a 5,000 W electric dryer draws 21 amps at 240 volts. The label on the appliance gives the watts or the amps. The watts to amps calculator converts for any voltage and power factor, and the circuit capacity calculator shows how much a circuit can carry.
Amps of common appliances
Typical running watts at 120 or 240 volts:
| Appliance | Typical watts | Volts | Amps |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED light bulb | 10 W | 120 V | 0.1 A |
| Laptop | 65 W | 120 V | 0.5 A |
| Television | 100 W | 120 V | 0.8 A |
| Ceiling fan | 75 W | 120 V | 0.6 A |
| Refrigerator (running) | 150 W | 120 V | 1.3 A |
| Coffee maker | 1,000 W | 120 V | 8.3 A |
| Microwave oven | 1,100 W | 120 V | 9.2 A |
| Toaster | 1,200 W | 120 V | 10.0 A |
| Space heater | 1,500 W | 120 V | 12.5 A |
| Hair dryer | 1,800 W | 120 V | 15.0 A |
| Dishwasher | 1,800 W | 120 V | 15.0 A |
| Window air conditioner (10,000 BTU) | 900 W | 120 V | 7.5 A |
| Circular saw | 1,400 W | 120 V | 11.7 A |
| Electric clothes dryer | 5,000 W | 240 V | 20.8 A |
| Electric range | 8,000 W | 240 V | 33.3 A |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 W | 240 V | 18.8 A |
| Central air conditioner (3 ton) | 3,500 W | 240 V | 14.6 A |
| Hot tub (heater running) | 5,500 W | 240 V | 22.9 A |
| EV charger (Level 2, 40 A) | 9,600 W | 240 V | 40.0 A |
These are typical values: the real ones are on the label or the nameplate. Motors, compressors and heaters on a thermostat draw different amounts over time.
What the amps mean for a circuit
- A 15 amp circuit carries up to 1,800 watts at 120 volts, and a continuous load of up to 1,440 watts (80%).
- A 20 amp circuit carries 2,400 watts, and a continuous load of up to 1,920 watts.
- Large appliances such as dryers, ranges, water heaters and air conditioners run on 240 volts, and usually on a dedicated circuit.
- Start-up surge. Motors draw several times their running amps for a moment. A compressor or a pump may trip a breaker or a small generator.
How to check an appliance
- Read the nameplate for volts, amps or watts, and for motors, the full-load amps.
- Use a plug-in watt meter for a 120 volt appliance, or a clamp meter on the wire for a hardwired one.
- Add up everything on the same circuit that can run at the same time, and compare it with 80% of the breaker.
See the watts to amps chart for any watts and the circuit capacity guide. Have an electrician look at any circuit that trips often.
Frequently asked questions
How many amps does a refrigerator use?
A modern refrigerator draws about 1.3 amps while the compressor runs (150 watts at 120 volts), and more for a moment when it starts. The label lists the rated amps.
How many amps does a 1500 watt heater use?
12.5 amps at 120 volts (1,500 ÷ 120). That is more than 80% of a 15 amp circuit, so nothing else should share the circuit.
How many amps does a dryer use?
An electric dryer of 5,000 watts draws about 21 amps at 240 volts, and is on a dedicated 30 amp circuit.
How many amps does a central air conditioner use?
A 3 ton unit draws about 15 amps at 240 volts running. The nameplate gives the minimum circuit ampacity and the maximum breaker size to use.
How do you convert watts to amps?
Divide the watts by the volts. 1,200 watts at 120 volts is 10 amps. Motors and some electronics also have a power factor below 1, which raises the current.
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.