Cost to run a led light bulb
Short answer
Running a led light bulb (~10W, ~5 hrs/day) costs about $0.01/day, $0/month, or $3/year at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh.
Wattage
10 W
Per day
$0.01
Per month
$0
Per year
$3
Figures assume ~10W for ~5 hours a day at the U.S. average 16.8¢/kWh. Your state's rate and your real usage change the total — enter both in the calculator.
What makes a led light bulb cost what it does
A led light bulb draws about 10W and runs roughly 5 hours a day in a typical home. Run the standard formula — watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × your electricity rate — and at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh that's about $0.01/day, $0/month, or $3/year.
Two things move that figure most: how many hours it actually runs and what you pay per kilowatt-hour. How many hours it actually runs is the biggest lever on its cost. A led light bulb nominally at 10W but used half as often costs roughly half as much — usage, not the nameplate rating, decides the bill.
Your electricity rate does the rest of the work. The same led light bulb costs about $2/year in a low-rate state like Idaho (10.5¢/kWh) but $8/year in Hawaii (42¢/kWh) — roughly a 4× swing for the identical appliance.
What determines the cost
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Wattage | A led light bulb pulls about 10W while running |
| Hours of use | Typically ~5 hr/day — double the hours and you double the cost |
| Electricity rate | What you pay per kWh (U.S. average 16.8¢) scales the whole bill |
| Efficiency & age | Newer, Energy-Star models draw less for the same job |
| Settings & duty cycle | How many hours it actually runs is the biggest lever on its cost |
| Standby draw | Many devices keep sipping power even when idle or 'off' |
Cost by electricity rate
Yearly cost to run this led light bulb at a low, average, and high state electricity rate.
| Rate | Yearly cost |
|---|---|
| Low rate (Idaho, 10.5¢) | $2/yr |
| U.S. average (16.8¢) | $3/yr |
| High rate (Hawaii, 42¢) | $8/yr |
How to cut what a led light bulb costs
- Cut runtime first: every hour you don't run the led light bulb is the cleanest saving, since cost is hours × watts × rate.
- Check your actual electricity rate — if you're above the 16.8¢ U.S. average, the led light bulb costs more than the headline figure here.
- Unplug the led light bulb when idle and favor an efficient model — small always-on draws add up over a year.
- Enter your own wattage, hours, and rate in the calculator for a led light bulb figure tuned to your home.
Your rate & usage
Open the cost calculatorOther appliances
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a led light bulb?
About $0.01 per day, $0 per month, or $3 per year at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh, assuming ~10W for ~5 hours a day.
How many watts does a led light bulb use?
A typical led light bulb draws about 10 watts when running. Your model may differ — check its label or a plug-in power meter and enter the real number in the calculator.
How can I cut the cost of running a led light bulb?
Run it less, use a more efficient model, and check whether your utility offers cheaper off-peak (time-of-use) rates. Costs also vary 4× by state, so your local rate matters a lot.