An induction cooktop draws about 1,200 to 3,700 watts per zone at full power, but because it heats so quickly, a typical meal uses only around 0.2 to 0.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. At the 2026 U.S. average of about 18 cents per kWh, that’s roughly 4 to 9 cents per meal. Induction uses less electricity than a radiant electric cooktop for the same cooking, because about 85% of its energy goes into the pan.
I measured this myself. For two weeks I ran my Bosch 800 Series and, for comparison, a portable Duxtop burner and a radiant electric cooktop through a whole-circuit energy monitor and a plug-in watt meter, and logged every family meal. Here are the real watts, kWh and cents, and how to work out your own cost.
Induction electricity use at a glance
- Each zone draws about 1,200 to 3,700 watts at full power; portable burners max out around 1,800 watts.
- Boiling 1 quart of water uses about 0.12 kilowatt-hours (kWh), or about 2 cents.
- A typical family dinner uses 0.2 to 0.5 kWh, about 4 to 9 cents.
- In a month, my family of six uses about 25 kWh, or about $4.60.
- These figures use 18.2 cents per kWh, the U.S. average forecast for 2026 from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
- About 85% of the energy reaches the food, according to ENERGY STAR.
How many watts does an induction cooktop use?
The wattage printed for each zone is its maximum. Built-in zones are often rated around 1,200 to 3,700 watts, with “boost” giving the most for a few minutes. A 30-inch cooktop’s total rating is usually lower than all its zones added together, because the electronics share power across zones. Portable burners on a 120-volt outlet top out at about 1,800 watts.
What matters for your bill isn’t watts but kilowatt-hours: watts × hours ÷ 1,000. Most of the time you’re cooking on medium or low, so the cooktop draws far less than its maximum.
| Setting (on my Bosch 8-inch zone) | Measured draw |
|---|---|
| Boost | 3,550 watts |
| 9 (high) | 2,180 watts |
| 6 (medium) | 1,050 watts |
| 3 (low) | 390 watts average (cycling) |
| 1 (lowest) | 140 watts average (cycling) |
| Off, display dark | under 1 watt |
Measured on the cooktop’s circuit with an Emporia Vue energy monitor. Low settings switch on and off, so these are averages over 5 minutes.
My energy tests: per task and per meal
| Task | Energy used | Cost at 18.2¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Boil 1 quart of water (high) | 0.12 kWh | 2.2¢ |
| Boil 6 quarts of pasta water + cook pasta | 0.62 kWh | 11¢ |
| Scrambled eggs for six | 0.06 kWh | 1.1¢ |
| Chili, 1 hour simmer | 0.48 kWh | 8.7¢ |
| Weeknight stir-fry + rice | 0.29 kWh | 5.3¢ |
| Sunday pancakes (griddle on bridge zone, 25 min) | 0.55 kWh | 10¢ |
The biggest surprise: the hour-long chili simmer used less than the pasta night, because a simmer barely draws any power once the pot is hot.
How to calculate your own induction cooktop cost
- Find your electricity price per kWh on your bill (include delivery charges if they’re per kWh).
- Estimate the energy: watts × hours ÷ 1,000 = kWh. For example, 2,000 watts on high for 6 minutes (0.1 hour) uses 0.2 kWh.
- Multiply by your price: kWh × price = cost. For example, 0.2 kWh × $0.182 comes to about 3.6 cents.
For the most accurate number, plug a portable burner into a plug-in watt meter, or use a whole-home energy monitor for a built-in cooktop.
Monthly and yearly cost
Over 14 days my family of six used 11.8 kWh on the cooktop, which works out to about 25 kWh a month, around $4.60 a month or $55 a year at 18.2¢/kWh. A smaller household that cooks less will use less; at higher local rates, it will cost more. For comparison, a cooktop is a small part of most homes’ electricity use next to heating, cooling and water heating.
Induction vs electric vs gas energy use
- Compared with radiant electric, induction wastes less heat. In my side-by-side test, radiant used about 40% more electricity to boil the same quart (0.17 vs 0.12 kWh). For more, read Induction vs Electric Cooktop.
- Compared with gas, ENERGY STAR says gas gets only about one-third of its heat into the pan, versus about 85% for induction. Whether induction is cheaper to run than gas depends on your local gas and electricity prices. For more, read Induction vs Gas.
- ENERGY STAR-certified electric cooking products are 18% more efficient on average than standard ones, according to ENERGY STAR.
Standby power
When it’s off, an induction cooktop uses very little. Mine drew under 1 watt with the display dark, and about 3 watts with Wi-Fi connected. That’s roughly $0.50 to $5 a year. Turning off Wi-Fi in the settings saves a little if you don’t use it.
How to use less electricity on induction
- Use a pan the same size as the zone, with a flat magnetic base.
- Put a lid on to boil water faster.
- Boil only as much water as you need.
- Use boost for boiling, then turn down to the lowest setting that holds a simmer.
- Avoid converter discs for daily cooking; they waste energy. For more, read Induction Converter Discs.
- Use the zone timer so zones shut off on time.
Cooking off-grid or in an RV? Wattage matters even more there. For more, read Running Induction on RV, Solar or Battery Power. Thinking about the overall cost? Read How Much Does an Induction Cooktop Cost in 2026?
FAQ
How much electricity does an induction cooktop use?
Each zone draws about 1,200 to 3,700 watts at full power, but a typical meal uses only around 0.2 to 0.5 kWh because induction heats quickly and most cooking happens on lower settings.
How much does it cost to run an induction cooktop?
At the 2026 U.S. average of about 18 cents per kWh, a typical meal costs a few cents, and most families spend a few dollars a month. Multiply the kWh used by your own rate to check.
Does induction use less electricity than electric?
Yes. Induction heats the pan directly, so it wastes less energy than a radiant electric cooktop, which heats a coil and the glass first.
Is induction cheaper than gas to run?
It depends on local energy prices. Induction is far more efficient, but electricity usually costs more per unit of energy than gas, so running costs are often similar.
How many watts does a portable induction cooktop use?
Most portable induction burners are limited to about 1,800 watts at maximum on a standard 120-volt outlet, and use much less on low settings.
Do induction cooktops use power when off?
A little. Standby use is usually just a watt or a few watts, more if Wi-Fi is on.