MacBook Pro chargers range from 30 watts to 140 watts depending on the model year and screen size
The wattage of your MacBook Pro charger depends on which MacBook Pro you own. Newer models with larger screens and faster processors need more power, so Apple ships different chargers with different machines. A 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2022 comes with a 67-watt charger. A 16-inch model from the same year comes with a 140-watt charger. Older models use 45-watt or 60-watt chargers. The wattage is printed on the charger itself — look for a label that says something like "20.3V 6.5A 140W" or "16.5V 3.65A 60W".
The wattage number tells you the maximum power the charger can deliver to your laptop. It does not mean your MacBook always draws that much power. When you are using your laptop, it pulls only what it needs — usually less than the charger's maximum. When the battery is fully charged and you are not using the laptop, it pulls almost nothing. Think of wattage as the charger's capacity, not the amount it always uses.
Key Takeaways
- MacBook Pro chargers range from 30 watts on older 12-inch models to 140 watts on current 16-inch models.
- The wattage is printed on a label on the charger itself, usually near where the cable connects.
- Your laptop only draws the power it needs at any moment — the wattage number is the maximum available, not what it always uses.
- Using a lower-wattage charger will charge your MacBook more slowly but will not damage it, as long as the connector type matches.
- Using a higher-wattage charger is safe and will charge your laptop faster without harming the battery.
Why different MacBook models have different wattages
Wattage is tied to how much power a laptop needs to run and charge at the same time. A larger screen, a faster processor, and a bigger battery all increase power demand. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Max chip has a much larger battery and a more powerful processor than a 13-inch model with an M3 chip, so it needs a charger that can deliver more watts.
Apple also designs chargers to charge your laptop in a reasonable amount of time. A 30-watt charger might take four hours to fully charge a large battery, while a 140-watt charger can do it in under two hours. If you use your laptop while it charges, a higher-wattage charger ensures the battery still gains charge instead of staying flat.
How to find the wattage of your current charger
The easiest way is to look at the charger itself. Turn it over or look at the side where the cable connects. You will see a label with specifications printed in small text. Look for a line that includes a "W" — that is the wattage. It might say "67W" or "140W" or "60W". The label also shows voltage and amperage, but the wattage is the number you are looking for.
If you have lost the charger or the label is worn away, you can identify your MacBook model and look up its original charger wattage online. Go to Apple's support website, search for your specific MacBook Pro model and year, and the technical specifications will list the charger wattage that shipped with it. You can also find this information on the original receipt or invoice if you still have it.
What happens if you use the wrong wattage charger
Using a charger with lower wattage than the original is safe. Your MacBook will charge more slowly, especially if you are using it while it charges. A 45-watt charger on a 16-inch MacBook Pro will work, but it might take twice as long to charge. The laptop will not be harmed by the lower power delivery.
Using a charger with higher wattage is also safe. Your MacBook has built-in circuitry that only draws the power it needs, so a 140-watt charger will not overcharge or damage a laptop designed for 67 watts. It will straightforward charge faster. The only requirement is that the connector type matches — USB-C chargers work with USB-C MacBooks, and the older MagSafe connector only works with older models that have MagSafe.
The difference between watts and other charger numbers
A charger label shows three related numbers: voltage (V), amperage (A), and wattage (W). Voltage is the electrical pressure, amperage is the flow rate, and wattage is the total power — it is voltage multiplied by amperage. A charger marked "20.3V 6.5A" delivers 20.3 × 6.5 = about 132 watts. You do not need to do this math yourself. The wattage is always printed on the label, and that is the number that matters for understanding your charger's power.
Wattage is different from milliamp-hours (mAh), which measures battery capacity. A battery might be rated at 5000 mAh, but that tells you how much total energy it holds, not how fast a charger can fill it. Wattage tells you the speed of charging — a higher-wattage charger fills the battery faster, while a lower-wattage charger takes longer to deliver the same amount of energy.
Charger wattage for common MacBook Pro models
| MacBook Pro Model | Screen Size | Charger Wattage |
|---|---|---|
| M3 (2024) | 14 inch | 67W |
| M3 Pro (2024) | 14 inch | 96W |
| M3 Max (2024) | 14 inch | 140W |
| M3 Max (2024) | 16 inch | 140W |
| M2 (2023) | 13 inch | 67W |
| M1 (2021) | 13 inch | 61W |
| Intel (2019–2020) | 13 inch | 45W |
| Intel (2019–2020) | 15 or 16 inch | 96W |
This table shows the charger wattage that shipped with each model. Wattage has increased over time as processors and batteries have grown more powerful. If you own an older MacBook Pro, your charger is likely lower wattage than a current model.
The progression from 45 watts to 140 watts reflects how much more demanding modern MacBook Pro machines have become. Newer chips process information faster and can run more applications at once, which requires more electrical power. Larger batteries also need higher-wattage chargers to charge in a practical timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a phone charger on my MacBook Pro?
Only if it has a USB-C connector and your MacBook has USB-C. Most phone chargers are 18 to 30 watts, which is much lower than a MacBook needs. Your laptop will charge very slowly or not at all while in use. It will not be damaged, but it is not practical.
Does a higher-wattage charger wear out the battery faster?
No. Your MacBook's charging circuitry regulates how much power goes into the battery regardless of the charger's wattage. A 140-watt charger charges faster but does not stress the battery more than a 67-watt charger. Battery wear is determined by charge cycles and heat, not by charger wattage.
What if I lost my charger and need a replacement?
You can buy a replacement from Apple or from third-party manufacturers that make USB-C chargers. Match the wattage of your original charger if possible, but a higher wattage will work fine. A lower wattage will work but charge more slowly. Make sure the connector type matches your MacBook model.
Why does my MacBook charger get hot?
Chargers naturally generate heat when delivering power. A higher-wattage charger delivering full power will be warmer than a lower-wattage one. This is normal. If the charger is too hot to touch or smells like burning plastic, stop using it and contact Apple, as this indicates a fault.
Can I use a MacBook charger on other devices?
Yes, if the other device has a USB-C port and is designed for that wattage or lower. Many laptops, tablets, and phones use USB-C. A MacBook charger will charge them, though it may be overkill for smaller devices. Check the device's manual to confirm USB-C is supported.