A typical TV uses between 30 and 100 watts while it's on, depending on the size and type

The amount of power your television draws depends mostly on screen size and technology. A 32-inch LED TV uses roughly 30 to 50 watts. A 55-inch model typically uses 60 to 100 watts. Older plasma TVs and large high-end models can use more — sometimes 150 watts or higher. The only way to know your exact TV's consumption is to check the label on the back or in the manual, which lists the maximum power draw.

What matters for your electric bill is not just the wattage, but how many hours per day the TV runs. A 50-watt TV running eight hours a day uses about 400 watt-hours, or 0.4 kilowatt-hours (kWh). Over a month, that's roughly 12 kWh. At an average U.S. electricity rate of 14 cents per kWh, that TV costs about $1.68 per month to run — or roughly $20 per year.

TVs also draw a small amount of power when they're off but plugged in, called standby power or phantom load. This is usually 1 to 3 watts. Over a full year, standby power adds a few dollars to your bill, which is why unplugging devices or using a power strip with an off switch can save a small amount.

Key Takeaways

  • Most modern TVs use between 30 and 100 watts while displaying a picture, with larger screens using more power than smaller ones.
  • Your actual monthly cost depends on both the TV's wattage and how many hours per day you watch, not the wattage alone.
  • The label on the back of your TV or in the owner's manual shows the maximum power draw for your specific model.
  • Plugged-in TVs draw 1 to 3 watts even when off, so using a power strip switch can reduce this small standby drain.

Why screen size matters more than brightness

A larger screen requires more power to light up, which is the main reason a 65-inch TV uses significantly more electricity than a 43-inch one. The backlight — the system that illuminates the screen — is the biggest power consumer in most TVs. More screen area means a larger backlight, which means more watts.

Brightness settings also affect power use, but less dramatically than size does. Turning down the brightness on any TV will reduce its power draw by a few watts. However, even a TV set to maximum brightness uses far less power than a larger model set to normal brightness.

LED, QLED, and OLED TVs use different amounts of power

LED TVs (standard flat-screen TVs) use a backlight that stays on constantly, then filters the light to create the image. This is why they use a steady amount of power regardless of what's on screen.

QLED TVs (made by Samsung and others) are LED TVs with an extra layer of technology called quantum dots. They're slightly more efficient than standard LED, so they often use 10 to 20 percent less power for the same screen size.

OLED TVs work differently — each pixel produces its own light and can turn completely off. This means OLED TVs use less power when displaying dark scenes, because dark areas don't light up at all. However, when displaying bright, colorful content, OLED TVs can use as much or more power than LED models. For most viewers watching a mix of content, OLED and LED use roughly similar amounts of electricity over time.

How to estimate your TV's yearly cost

To calculate what your TV costs to run, you need three numbers: the wattage (from the label), the hours you watch per day, and your local electricity rate (from your power bill).

Here's the math: multiply wattage by hours watched, then divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours. Multiply that by your rate per kWh. For example, a 60-watt TV watched 6 hours a day costs (60 × 6 ÷ 1,000) × $0.14 = about $0.05 per day, or $18 per year at 14 cents per kWh.

If you don't know your electricity rate, check your most recent power bill — it's usually listed as "price per kWh" or "rate" and varies by region and provider. Rates in the Northeast and California tend to be higher than in the South or Midwest.

Streaming and gaming use more power than regular TV

Watching a streaming service or playing a video game doesn't change how much power the TV itself uses — the screen still draws the same 30 to 100 watts. However, the device doing the streaming or gaming (a Roku, Apple TV, PlayStation, or Xbox) uses additional power.

A streaming device typically uses 5 to 10 watts. A gaming console uses 100 to 150 watts while in use. So if you're gaming, the total power draw is the TV plus the console — potentially 150 to 250 watts combined. This is still modest compared to heating or air conditioning, but it's worth knowing if you game for several hours daily.

Smart TV features add minimal power draw

Modern smart TVs have built-in apps, internet connectivity, and voice controls. These features use almost no additional power while the TV is on — the processor and WiFi radio draw only 1 to 2 watts. The TV's main power consumption is still the screen itself.

Where smart features do matter is standby mode. A smart TV in standby uses slightly more power than a basic TV because it's listening for voice commands or checking for updates. This adds maybe 1 to 2 extra watts to the 1 to 3 watts a regular TV uses when off. Over a year, this amounts to a dollar or two on your bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does watching a brighter picture use more electricity?

Yes, but the difference is small. Turning brightness up to maximum might add 5 to 10 watts compared to a normal setting. For most people, the difference in yearly cost is less than $5. Adjusting brightness for comfort is more important than trying to save a few cents.

How much power does a TV use on standby?

Most modern TVs use 1 to 3 watts when plugged in but off. Over a full year, this costs roughly $1 to $4 depending on your electricity rate. Using a power strip you can switch off completely eliminates this cost, though the savings are small.

Is it cheaper to leave a TV on or turn it off and back on?

Turning a TV off saves power when ready. Modern TVs don't use extra energy to power on — there's no "surge" that makes it wasteful to turn them off. You should turn off your TV when you're not watching it.

Do curved or flat-screen TVs use different amounts of power?

No. The curve is just the shape of the screen and doesn't affect how much electricity the TV uses. Power consumption depends on size, type (LED, QLED, OLED), and brightness — not the screen's curve.

What uses more power: a TV or a space heater?

A space heater uses roughly 750 to 1,500 watts — 10 to 20 times more than a TV. Heating and cooling are by far the largest electricity users in most homes. A TV is one of the smallest power consumers you own.