A typical 24-27 inch LCD monitor uses about 15-35 watts, roughly 25 W. Efficient office models can use about 13 W; large, high-refresh or very bright gaming and 4K monitors can reach 60-80 W.
- Running watts
- 25 WTypical; 10–80 W across models
- Starting watts
- NoneNo motor surge
- Per day
- 0.15 kWh6 h of use
- Current
- 0.2 AAt 120 V while running
Figures checked against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer data on . Your model's label is the final word.
Watts by model and setting
Most computer monitor models draw between 10 and 80 W while running; a typical one draws about 25 W. 25 W x 6 h/day; standby (about 0.3 W) is negligible.
- Screen size and resolution
- Brightness: the single biggest setting you control
- Refresh rate and HDR on gaming monitors
- USB-C charging hubs add the power delivered to a connected laptop
- ENERGY STAR monitors average about 7% more efficient
Running a computer monitor on a generator or power station
- Generator: at least 25 running watts. A generator rated 1,000 W or more covers it with room to spare.
- Power station: continuous output of at least 25 W. Pure sine wave output is the safe choice for motors and electronics.
| Power station capacity | Estimated runtime |
|---|---|
| 500 Wh | 17 h |
| 1,000 Wh | 34 h |
| 2,000 Wh | 68 h |
| 3,000 Wh | 102 h |
Based on 25 W average draw and 85% usable capacity.
- Small load; easy to run from any portable power station
- Turn brightness down to stretch battery runtime
- Pair with the computer and router when sizing a work-from-home backup
Add it to the generator calculator
Questions people ask
Do monitors use power when the computer is off?
A little in standby, typically well under 1 W for current models.
How many watts does a 27-inch monitor use?
Commonly 15-40 W in normal use. Dell lists 12.9 W typical (74 W max) for its P2725H 27-inch model.