How much electricity does a microwave use?
Short answer: A microwave draws about 1.1–1.5 kW from the socket while running (for 700–1,000 W of cooking power). Using it 15 minutes a day uses about 0.3 units a day, or roughly 9 kWh a month. An OTG of 1,200–2,000 W uses 1.2–2 units for every hour of baking.
| Appliance | Input watts | kWh for 15 min | kWh/month (15 min/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo microwave | 1,100–1,300 W | 0.28–0.33 | 8–10 |
| Convection microwave | 1,300–2,300 W | 0.33–0.58 | 10–17 |
| OTG oven | 1,200–2,000 W | 0.30–0.50 | 9–15 |
Tip: Reheating small portions in a microwave usually uses less energy than an OTG or a stove.
Using this calculator outside India? Outside India? Pick your currency at the top of the page and enter the per-kWh rate printed on your bill. Typical residential averages: USA 18.3¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026; California 33.6¢, Texas 15.9¢), UK about £0.25/kWh, Germany about €0.38/kWh, UAE about AED 0.23–0.38/kWh, Canada about C$0.13–0.20/kWh and Australia about A$0.30–0.35/kWh. The kWh result is the same in every country; only the cost changes.