How much does it cost to run a Wi-Fi router?

By Juan Molina · Updated October 3, 2026 · How we calculate

Short answer: A Wi-Fi router drawing 10 watts costs about 0.2¢ per hour at the U.S. average residential price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Used 24 hours a day, 30 days a month, that is about $1.32 per month and $15.82 per year. In Louisiana, the cheapest state, the same use costs $0.92 a month; in Hawaii, the most expensive, $3.46.

A Wi-Fi router draws about 10 watts and never switches off. That adds up to a little over 7 kWh a month, among the smallest always-on loads in a home.

Cost by size and setting

Costs below use the U.S. average price and 24 hours a day, 30 days a month.

A small load that never stops

Ten watts for 8,760 hours a year is 87.6 kWh. A router's draw hardly changes with how much it is being used; it is almost the same at 3 a.m. as during a film. A separate cable or fiber modem adds another 5 to 10 watts, and each unit in a mesh system a similar amount.

Is it worth switching off at night

The saving is small: turning a 10-watt router off for eight hours a night saves about 29 kWh a year. Against that, smart-home devices, security cameras, phone backups and software updates all rely on the connection overnight. For most households it is not worth the inconvenience.

How to lower the cost

• If you have both an old router and a newer one plugged in, retire the old one.
• Use one combined modem-router instead of two boxes when your provider allows it.
• Do not add mesh units you do not need.
• Look for larger savings elsewhere; this is one of the cheapest things you run.

How a Wi-Fi router compares with other appliances

Typical power and use for each appliance, at the U.S. average price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Follow a link for that appliance's own calculator, or compare two side by side.

The math behind the numbers

10 watts ÷ 1,000 = 0.01 kW. 0.01 kW × 24 hours = 0.24 kWh per day. 0.24 kWh × $0.1831 = $0.04 per day. Over 30 days that is 7.2 kWh and $1.32 a month.

Your own figure will differ if your appliance has a different wattage, if you use it more or less, or if your price per kWh is not the national average. Change any of those in the calculator at the top of this page. Our step-by-step guide explains where to find each number.

Cost to run a Wi-Fi router in every state

Based on 10 watts for 24 hours a day, 30 days a month, at each state's average residential electricity price for July 2026.

Sources

• U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly (state electricity prices)
• U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Appliances and Electronics

Electricity prices are the EIA figures for July 2026. Wattages are typical values; check the label on your own appliance.