🎮 GPU Power Cost: Calculator

Estimate your graphics card's ongoing electricity running cost — not PSU sizing.

W
%
hrs
$/kWh
ESTIMATED MONTHLY COST
$0
$0/year at current usage
Average Power Draw
0 W
Daily Energy
0 kWh
Daily Cost
$0
Annual Cost
$0
Average power draw as a share of the GPU's rated TDP

How the GPU Power Cost Calculator Works

This calculator estimates the ongoing electricity cost of running your graphics card over time — not what size power supply you need. It works by taking your GPU's rated TDP (Thermal Design Power, its maximum sustained wattage), scaling it down by an average utilization percentage to account for the fact that a GPU rarely runs at 100% load the entire time it's powered on, and then applying your local electricity rate.

Average Power Draw (W) = GPU TDP × Utilization %
Daily kWh = Average Power Draw × Hours/Day ÷ 1,000
Daily Cost = Daily kWh × Electricity Rate ($/kWh)
Monthly Cost = Daily Cost × 30  |  Annual Cost = Daily Cost × 365

This Is a Running-Cost Tool, Not a PSU Sizing Tool

It's easy to confuse a GPU's power draw with power supply sizing — they use overlapping numbers but answer completely different questions. This calculator tells you what it costs in electricity to run your GPU over a day, month, or year at a given usage pattern. If instead you're trying to figure out what wattage power supply unit (PSU) your whole PC build needs (summing your CPU, GPU, drives, RAM, fans, and safety headroom), use the dedicated PC Power Supply Calculator instead — that's a one-time sizing decision, while this tool tracks your ongoing electricity spend.

Choosing a Realistic Utilization Percentage

Heavy gaming or GPU-intensive rendering workloads often keep utilization around 80-99% of TDP, while lighter gaming, video playback, or mixed use might average closer to 40-60%. If you're not sure, check your GPU's real-time wattage or utilization using monitoring software (like the vendor's own overlay or a tool such as HWiNFO) over a typical session to get a more accurate average for this calculator.

📎 Related Tools: PC Power Supply Calculator Battery Life & Charging Time Calculator Resistor Color Code Calculator Capacitance Calculator

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as a PSU (power supply) sizing calculator?
No — this calculator estimates the ongoing electricity running cost of your GPU over time (daily, monthly, annual dollars), based on its TDP, utilization, and your electricity rate. If you need to size a power supply for your whole PC build, use the dedicated PC Power Supply Calculator instead, which sums wattage across all your components plus safety headroom.
What is TDP and where do I find my GPU's TDP?
TDP (Thermal Design Power) is the maximum sustained power draw, in watts, that a GPU is designed to dissipate under load. It's listed on the manufacturer's spec sheet or product page for your specific GPU model (for example, many mid-range to high-end GPUs fall somewhere in the 200-450W range).
Why isn't my GPU always running at 100% of its TDP?
Actual power draw varies constantly based on the workload — a GPU idles at a small fraction of its TDP during light tasks and only approaches its rated TDP during sustained, demanding workloads like modern AAA gaming or 3D rendering. The utilization percentage in this calculator lets you approximate your GPU's real average draw rather than assuming it's maxed out 100% of the time.
How can I find my GPU's actual average utilization or power draw?
Most GPU monitoring tools (manufacturer overlays like NVIDIA's or AMD's software, or third-party tools such as HWiNFO or MSI Afterburner) display real-time power draw and utilization percentage, which you can average over a typical session for a more accurate estimate than a rough guess.
Does electricity rate vary, and does that matter here?
Yes, electricity rates vary significantly by region, utility provider, and sometimes time of day. This calculator uses a single flat rate you enter; if your utility uses time-of-use pricing, your actual cost may differ from this estimate depending on when you typically use your GPU.

🏆 About This Tool — Accuracy & Trust

🔒 Data Privacy: All calculations run entirely within your browser using JavaScript. Nothing you enter here is ever transmitted to our servers, stored, sold, or shared.

📐 Accuracy Note: This tool uses standard, widely published formulas and guidelines. Results are estimates for informational purposes; for financial, medical, or engineering decisions, consult a licensed professional.

📅 Last Updated: September 2026.