How Many Watts Does a TV Use (2025 Guide)

Knowing how many watts a TV uses matters for several reasons: it affects your electricity bill, helps you size a generator or solar system for backup power, and impacts your carbon footprint. By understanding TV power usage, you can better manage household costs, plan off-grid systems, and make more eco-friendly choices.

TV Power Usage at a Glance

Most modern TVs use between 50 and 200 watts, depending on size, technology, and settings. Here’s a quick look:

• 32-inch LED TV: around 30–60 watts
  
• 55-inch LED TV: around 83–104 watts
  
• Older or larger TVs (like plasma): up to 200 watts or more

Volts and Amps

In North America, TVs typically run on 120 volts. You can calculate the current (amps) with:

• Watts = Volts × Amps

So a 100-watt TV on a 120-volt supply draws roughly 0.83 amps.

Monthly Electricity Costs

The cost to run a TV depends on its wattage, how long it’s used each day, and local electricity rates. For example:

• A 100-watt TV used 3 hours a day uses about 9 kWh per month, costing around $1–$2 monthly in most U.S. states. Larger or less efficient TVs will cost more.

Standby Power

Even when switched off, most TVs draw 0.5–5 watts in standby mode. Over a year, this can account for 2–5% of the TV’s total energy use.

How to Cut Your TV’s Energy Use?

• Turn off or unplug the TV completely to avoid standby draw.
  
• Lower brightness and contrast settings.
  
• Use built-in energy-saving modes.
  
• Set a sleep timer so it turns off automatically.
  
• Choose ENERGY STAR or similarly rated efficient models.
  
• Remember: bigger screens and higher resolutions consume more power.

Environmental Considerations

Running a TV contributes to carbon emissions, especially if your electricity comes from fossil fuels. Choosing an energy-efficient model and using it wisely can reduce your environmental impact.

In Short:

Most TVs use 50–200 watts, costing about $1–$2 a month for average use. By managing your TV’s power consumption, you can lower your bills, ensure your backup systems are properly sized, and help the environment.

How Many Watts Does a TV Use?

Quick Takeaway:

• Modern TVs generally use 30 to 200 watts, depending on size and type.
  
• LED TVs are the most energy-efficient, while plasma and CRT TVs consume the most.

Average TV wattage by size and type:

TV Size	LED	LCD	OLED	Plasma
32-inch	30–55 W	50–85 W	—	up to 160 W
40–43-inch	50–80 W	up to 100 W	—	up to 200 W
50–55-inch	60–90 W	180 W	98–110 W	up to 370 W
65-inch	115–150 W	170–220 W	190–300 W	up to 500 W

Typical energy costs:

• A 100 W TV used 3 hours daily costs about $1–$2 per month, or roughly $15–$20 per year, depending on local electricity rates. Larger TVs or longer viewing times will cost more.

Watts vs Kilowatt-Hours vs Volts vs Amps

• Watt (W): Measures how much power the TV uses at a moment.
  Example: A 100 W TV consumes 100 watts while it’s on.
  
• Kilowatt-hour (kWh): Measures energy use over time.
  Example: 100 W used for 10 hours = 1 kWh. Your electricity bill is based on kWh.
  
• Volt (V): Electrical pressure. Most TVs in North America use 120 V outlets.

Amp (A): The flow of electric current.

Calculated as:

Amps = Watts ÷ Volts

•  So a 100 W TV on 120 V draws about 0.83 amps.

Term	What it means	Example for TV
Watt (W)	Instant power use	100 W TV
kWh	Energy used over time	100 W × 10 hrs = 1 kWh
Volt (V)	Electrical pressure	120 V outlet
Amp (A)	Current flow	100 W ÷ 120 V = 0.83 A

Knowing these basics helps you understand energy labels and estimate costs.

TV Wattage by Size and Type

TV Size	LED	OLED	LCD	CRT	Plasma
24-inch	35 W	—	50 W	—	120 W
32-inch	41 W	55–60 W	50–85 W	150–200 W	160 W
50-inch	72 W	89 W	150 W	—	300 W
55-inch	80 W	98 W	180 W	—	370 W
65-inch	88 W	107 W	200 W	—	500 W
75-inch+	100–150 W (est.)	120–200 W (est.)	—	—	500+ W (historical)

Wattage by TV Type

• CRT: 60–200 W, with larger models on the higher end.
  
• Plasma: 100–500 W, very power-hungry especially at larger sizes.
  
• LCD: 50–200 W.
  
• LED: 30–100 W, the most efficient common type.
  
• OLED: 50–200 W, more efficient than plasma but usually draws more power than LED.

Smart TVs vs non-smart:

Smart TVs may use slightly more power due to added processors and Wi-Fi, but the difference is usually minor compared to screen type and size.

Full Quick Reference Table

Size	LED (W)	OLED (W)	Plasma (W)	LCD (W)	CRT (W)
24″	35	—	120	50	120
32″	41	55–60	160	50–85	150–200
50″	72	89	300	150	—
55″	80	98	370	180	—
65″	88	107	500	200	—
75″+	100–150	120–200	500+	220	—

These figures are averages; actual power use depends on brand, model, and settings. Always check the EnergyGuide label or manufacturer’s specs for precise numbers.

Bottom line:

LED TVs are generally the best choice for energy savings, plasma and CRTs are the worst. Knowing your TV’s wattage helps you estimate electricity costs, size a generator or solar system, and make smarter eco-friendly decisions.

How Much Electricity Does a TV Use?

Electricity Use Per Hour

To figure out how much electricity a TV uses each hour, convert its wattage to kilowatt-hours (kWh):

• kWh per hour = TV wattage ÷ 1000

For example, a 100 W TV uses:

• 100 ÷ 1000 = 0.1 kWh per hour

Electricity Use Per Day and Per Month

Average daily viewing:

In 2025, Americans watch roughly 2.8 hours of traditional TV daily.

Example for a 100 W TV:

• Daily:

0.1 kWh/hour × 2.8 hours = 0.28 kWh/day

• Monthly:

0.28 kWh/day × 30 = 8.4 kWh/month

Cost at $0.15 per kWh:

• Monthly:

8.4 × $0.15 = $1.26

Electricity Use Per Year

Annual example for a 100 W TV:

0.28 kWh/day × 365 = 102.2 kWh/year

Annual cost at $0.15 per kWh:

102.2 × $0.15 = $15.33

Summary Table for a 100 W TV at 2.8 hours/day

Period	Energy Used	Cost (@$0.15/kWh)
1 hour	0.1 kWh	$0.015
1 day	0.28 kWh	$0.042
1 month	8.4 kWh	$1.26
1 year	102.2 kWh	$15.33

Actual figures will vary with your TV’s wattage, how long you watch, and local electricity rates. Larger or older TVs will use more.

How Many Volts and Amps Does a TV Use?

Typical Voltage

• United States: Most TVs run on 110–120 volts.
  
• International: Many countries use 220–240 volts.

Modern TVs are often “dual voltage,” but always check the label before plugging into a different standard.

Typical Amps by TV Size

The current a TV draws depends on its wattage and voltage:

Amps = Watts ÷ Volts

TV Size	Wattage	Amps (US, 120V)	Amps (Intl, 230V)
24″	35 W	0.29 A	0.15 A
32″	41 W	0.34 A	0.18 A
50″	72 W	0.60 A	0.31 A
55″	80 W	0.67 A	0.35 A
65″	88 W	0.73 A	0.38 A
75″+	120 W	1.00 A	0.52 A

In short:

• Most TVs in the US draw 0.3 to 1 amp, depending on size.
  
• International homes see lower amps because of higher voltage, usually 0.15 to 0.5 amps.

What Factors Affect TV Power Consumption?

Screen Size

Larger TVs use more energy to light a bigger display and run more powerful electronics.

Display Technology

• CRT: Older, bulky TVs use 100–400 W.
  
• Plasma: Great contrast but inefficient, 100–500 W.
  
• LCD: About 50–200 W, depending on backlight.
  
• LED: Most efficient, often 30–100 W.
  
• OLED: Outstanding quality, typically 50–200 W, higher for large or bright models.

Resolution

Higher resolutions like 4K and 8K need more processing and brighter backlights, which increases power use.

Brightness & Settings

Using high brightness or vivid modes can raise energy use by 20–40% over standard or eco modes.

Input Source

Streaming or smart features can use slightly more power than HDMI or over-the-air broadcasts, but the difference is small compared to size and brightness.

Age of the TV

Newer models are much more efficient. ENERGY STAR TVs use up to 25% less energy than non-certified models. Older CRTs, plasmas, and early LCDs use significantly more.

Standby Power

Even when “off,” most TVs draw 0.5–5 W to stay ready for quick start or updates. This “vampire power” can add up if you leave TVs plugged in all year.

In summary:

A TV’s energy use mainly depends on screen size, technology, resolution, brightness, input source, and age. Adjusting settings, picking energy-efficient models, and managing standby features can all lower electricity use and save money.

How to Determine Your TV’s Power Usage

You can figure out how much power your TV uses with three simple approaches:

1. Check the Manufacturer Label

Look for a sticker on the back of your TV or near the power cord. It usually lists power consumption in watts (W) or amps (A). This gives you the maximum draw for your specific model — quick and straightforward.

2. Use a Kill-A-Watt Meter

A Kill-A-Watt or similar power meter plugs into your outlet, with your TV plugging into the meter. It shows exactly how many watts your TV is using in real time, whether it’s on or in standby. This is the most accurate way to see real-world usage based on your actual settings and habits.

3. Calculate Manually

If you know the TV’s wattage and how many hours you watch each day, you can estimate energy use.

Formulas:

• Watt-hours (Wh) = Watts × Hours Used
  
• Kilowatt-hours (kWh) = Wh ÷ 1000
  

Example:
A 100 W TV used for 3 hours daily:

• 100 W × 3 hours = 300 Wh = 0.3 kWh per day
  
• Over 30 days: 0.3 kWh × 30 = 9 kWh per month

In short:

• Check the label for a quick idea.
  
• Use a meter for precise measurements.
  
• Do the math to estimate monthly or yearly usage.
  These methods help you track energy use, manage costs, and size generators or batteries if needed.

TV Power Consumption When Off

Standby Power (Vampire Draw)

When you turn off your TV with the remote, it doesn’t completely disconnect from power. Instead, it goes into standby mode, drawing about 0.5 to 3 watts (sometimes up to 5 watts) to stay ready for quick start, remote signals, and software updates. This small draw typically makes up 2–5% of a TV’s annual energy use, but it adds up over time, especially if you have multiple TVs.

Cost of Standby Power

Example with a TV using 1.3 W in standby:

• Daily: 1.3 W × 24 h = 31.2 Wh = 0.0312 kWh
  
• Monthly: 0.0312 kWh × 30 = 0.94 kWh
  
• Yearly: 0.0312 kWh × 365 = 11.4 kWh
  At an average rate of $0.15 per kWh, that’s about $1.70 per year.
  

Example with a higher 3 W standby:

• Yearly: 3 W × 24 × 365 = 26.3 kWh
  
• Annual cost: 26.3 kWh × $0.15 = about $4.00 per year.

How to Avoid Standby Costs

To eliminate standby power completely, unplug your TV when not in use or plug it into a power strip that you can easily switch off. This cuts off the flow of electricity entirely and stops the hidden costs.

How Much Does It Cost to Power a TV?

Monthly and Yearly Costs by TV Size and Type

Here’s what it typically costs to run different TVs in the U.S., assuming an average electricity rate of $0.16 per kWh and about 5 hours of use per day.

Screen Size	Typical Power (W)	Avg Monthly Cost	Avg Yearly Cost
24″ LED	40–50	$1.54–$1.92	$18.48–$23.04
32″ LED	50–70	$1.92–$2.69	$23.04–$32.28
42″ LED	80–120	$3.07–$4.61	$36.84–$55.32
50″ LED	100–150	$3.84–$5.76	$46.08–$69.12
55″ LED	110–160	$4.22–$6.14	$50.64–$73.68
65″ LED	120–180	$4.61–$6.91	$55.32–$82.92
75″ LED	150–220	$5.76–$8.45	$69.12–$101.40
32″ Plasma	160	$6.14	$73.68
50″ Plasma	300	$11.52	$138.24
55″ Plasma	370	$14.21	$170.52
60″ Plasma	500	$19.20	$230.40

• LED and LCD TVs are the most energy-efficient.
  
• Plasma and older CRT models are far more expensive to run.
  
• Smart TVs may use a bit more power due to extra processing and Wi-Fi, but the difference is minor compared to screen size and display type.
  

Note: Standby power isn’t included here but usually adds $1–$4 per year per TV.

State-by-State Cost Differences

Electricity rates vary widely across the U.S., which means your actual cost to run a TV can differ quite a bit.

• Lower-cost states: Idaho, Washington, Louisiana (often below $0.12/kWh).
  
• Higher-cost states: Hawaii, California, New England (can exceed $0.30/kWh).
  

Example for a 50″ LED TV (100 W used 5 hours daily):

• At $0.12/kWh: roughly $2.16 per month
  
• At $0.30/kWh: roughly $5.40 per month
  

In summary:

Most TVs cost between $1.50 and $8 per month to run, depending on size, technology, usage, and local electricity rates. Plasma and older models are much pricier to operate.

Can You Run a TV on a Generator or Solar?

Running a TV on a Generator

Most modern TVs use 50 to 200 watts, which means they draw less than 1 amp on a standard 120 V circuit. Nearly any portable generator—even small models rated at 500–1000 W—can easily power a TV, often alongside other low-wattage devices.

Typical TV wattage by size:

• 32″ LED: 41–70 W
  
• 50″ LED: 70–100 W
  
• 65″ LED: 95–200 W
  
• Plasma and CRT: 120–500+ W
  

So for general backup or camping needs, almost any household generator will handle a TV without issue.

Choosing the Right Solar Generator

To size a solar generator, multiply your TV’s wattage by expected hours of use.

Example:

A 100 W TV used for 3 hours needs 300 Wh per day.

Popular solar generator options:

Model	Capacity (Wh)	Run Time for 100 W TV
Jackery 1000	1002 Wh	~10 hours
Jackery 2000	2160 Wh	~21 hours
Jackery 3000	3024 Wh	~30 hours

Actual run times vary based on inverter efficiency and whether you’re powering other devices too.

Who Should Get What?

• Jackery 1000: Great for short camping trips, a single TV during brief outages, or outdoor movie nights.
  
• Jackery 2000: Better for longer trips, running a TV plus a few small devices, or extended power cuts.
  
• Jackery 3000: Ideal for powering multiple devices all day or as a more complete home backup.

Bottom line:

You can easily run a modern TV on nearly any generator or solar system. Just size your solar setup to match your TV’s wattage and daily use. Even small portable power stations can keep you watching for hours, while larger systems support all-day or multi-device use.

Tips to Reduce TV Power Consumption

Lower Backlight or Brightness

One of the simplest ways to cut energy use is by reducing your TV’s backlight or brightness settings. TVs often come with brightness levels set much higher than necessary. Lowering this can cut power consumption by nearly half without noticeably affecting picture quality.

Use Eco or Energy-Saving Modes

Most modern TVs include an eco or energy-saving mode. These automatically adjust brightness, contrast, and sometimes backlight to use less power. Enabling this feature can reduce energy use by about a third.

Turn Off Completely vs Standby

Even when turned off by remote, TVs stay in standby mode, drawing “vampire power.” To stop this entirely, unplug the TV or use a power strip and switch it off when not in use.

Use a Power Strip

Plug your TV and related devices (like sound systems or game consoles) into a power strip. Turning it off cuts power to everything at once, ensuring no energy is wasted in standby.

Buy ENERGY STAR or High-Efficiency TVs

When replacing or upgrading, look for TVs with ENERGY STAR labels or high efficiency ratings. These models are designed to use significantly less electricity than standard models.

Other Helpful Tips

• Set a sleep timer so your TV turns off automatically.
  
• Use blank screen or audio-only modes if you just want sound.
  
• Let ambient light sensors adjust brightness to match your room.
  
• Lower contrast settings, which also affects energy draw.
  
• Automate your TV’s on/off schedule if your model supports it.
  

By combining these steps, you can meaningfully reduce your TV’s electricity use and cut down on your power bills—without sacrificing your viewing experience.

Conclusion

Most modern TVs use 30–100 watts while on and 0.5–3 watts in standby, costing around $1–$2 per month to run. Costs climb for larger or older models. To save energy and money, check your TV’s wattage, enable eco settings, lower brightness, and unplug or use a power strip to stop standby power draw. Always review your TV’s manual or energy label for the most accurate figures, and watch smart to save more.

TV Wattage FAQs