United Kingdom Kitchen
How much does it cost to run a microwave?
A microwave draws 900 to 1,500 watts from the wall to deliver 600 to 1,000 watts of cooking power. It is cheap to run because it heats only the food and runs for minutes, not hours.
A 1.2 kW microwave costs about 32p an hour to run in Great Britain at 26.32 pence per kWh. Running it 15 minutes a day comes to about 7.9p a day, £2.40 a month and £28.84 a year.
- Price: Ofgem cap, Oct to Dec 2026
- Wattage range with its source
- Checked 26 October 2026
Uses 0.30 kWh a day, 9.1 kWh a month, at 26.32 pence per kWh (Great Britain (price cap average)).
The dial places the daily cost between a 50 watt fan and a 4.5 kW water heater on 2.5 hours a day.
A 1.2 kW microwave costs about 32p an hour to run in Great Britain at 26.32 pence per kWh. Running it 15 minutes a day comes to about 7.9p a day, £2.40 a month and £28.84 a year.
What this assumes
The default is a 1.2 kW microwave running 15 minutes a day. Published typical ratings run from 900 to 1,500 watts. Your label or manual gives the exact figure, and the calculator takes it.
The price is the Ofgem price cap unit rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026, average for England, Scotland and Wales, paying by Direct Debit. The cap for 1 January to 31 March 2027 is announced in late November 2026. A fixed tariff, a time-of-use plan or a different payment method changes the rate, which is why the rate field is editable.
Cost by wattage and hours at the price cap rate
At 26.32p per kWh, running flat out. Multiply by the share of the time your thermostat keeps the element on.
| Power | 1 hour | 8 hours | 24 hours | A week at 15 minutes a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900 watt | 24p | £1.90 | £5.69 | 41p |
| 1.2 kW | 32p | £2.53 | £7.58 | 55p |
| 1.5 kW | 39p | £3.16 | £9.48 | 69p |
How a microwave uses electricity
The number on the front is the cooking power. The input power, on the label at the back, is about 40% higher.
Fifteen minutes a day at 1,200 watts is 0.3 kWh, about the same as a full size oven for 15 minutes but with no pre-heat.
Standby draw for the clock and display is 1 to 3 watts, up to about 25 kWh a year.
Ways to cut the cost
- Use it to reheat and to cook vegetables. It beats the hob and the oven for both.
- Cover food to trap steam and cut cooking time.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to run a microwave?
About 0.3 kWh for 15 minutes at 1,200 watts. At 18 cents that is about 5 cents, at 26p about 8p.
Does a microwave use electricity when off?
A little, 1 to 3 watts for the clock. Over a year that is 10 to 25 kWh.
Other kitchen costs
More in the UK
Sources
The electricity price on this page is read from the data file that also lists the release it came from. The wattage range is a published typical range, not a measurement of your appliance.