How Much Electricity Does a Treadmill Use? Watts, kWh and Cost
By Simon Gould
A treadmill can use more electricity than a lamp or a phone charger, but the cost of a normal workout is often modest. The exact amount depends on the treadmill, your speed, incline, body weight, belt condition, workout length and electricity rate.
The most reliable way to find your own cost is to measure the treadmill at the wall during a typical workout. If you do not have a measurement, you can make an estimate from its power draw and your electricity tariff. Treat that estimate as a guide, not a promise about every treadmill.
Watts, kilowatts and kilowatt-hours
Watts (W) describe the power an appliance is drawing at a particular moment. A kilowatt (kW) is 1,000 watts. Electricity bills use kilowatt-hours (kWh), which measure energy used over time.
That distinction matters. A treadmill drawing 650 watts for 30 minutes has not used 650 kWh. The calculation is:
Energy used in kWh = watts × hours used ÷ 1,000
Then calculate the cost:
Cost = kWh used × your electricity rate
Use the rate shown on your electricity bill. Rates vary by country, region, tariff and payment method.
How much does a treadmill workout cost?
Here are worked examples using an illustrative electricity rate of $0.20 per kWh. Replace that rate with your own.
- 300 watts for 30 minutes: 0.15 kWh, or about $0.03.
- 650 watts for 30 minutes: 0.325 kWh, or about $0.07.
- 650 watts for one hour: 0.65 kWh, or about $0.13.
- 1,000 watts for one hour: 1 kWh, or $0.20.
If a 650-watt treadmill actually averaged that draw for one hour every day, the energy use would be 19.5 kWh over 30 days. At $0.20 per kWh, that would be about $3.90. This is an arithmetic example, not a claim that every treadmill uses 650 watts.
What changes electricity use?
Speed
Higher speeds generally require more work from the motor, especially when the belt is carrying a person. A walking workout and a fast run should not be expected to use the same amount of electricity.
Incline
An incline can increase the load on the treadmill because the motor is helping move the belt and user uphill. The effect depends on the machine and the workout, so a fixed percentage increase should not be assumed.
User weight
A heavier load can increase the work required to keep the belt moving. This is one reason a wattage estimate based on an empty treadmill may not match a real workout.
Workout length
Longer sessions use more energy when the average power draw stays the same. Doubling the time doubles the calculated energy use, but it does not tell you the treadmill’s actual average draw.
Belt and deck condition
Friction, alignment and maintenance can affect how hard the treadmill has to work. Follow the maintenance instructions for your model. If you want to test whether maintenance changed consumption, take readings under similar speed, incline and user conditions.
Standby power
Some treadmills continue to draw a small amount of power when plugged in. The amount varies by model. A wall meter can show the difference between standby and active use.
Motor horsepower is not the same as electricity use
Treadmill listings often promote motor horsepower or Continuous Horsepower (CHP). That rating should not be converted directly into the electricity used by your household.
Horsepower can describe motor output or a comparison rating. A treadmill’s circuit requirement describes what electrical supply it needs. Neither number tells you exactly what the machine draws during a particular workout. Input-power information or a wall-meter reading is more useful for estimating running cost.
How to measure your treadmill
A plug-in energy monitor can help if it is compatible with the treadmill and rated for the electrical load. Follow the monitor and treadmill manuals, and do not open the treadmill or bypass any safety device.
For a useful reading, record a normal workout rather than only the startup or maximum speed. Note the duration, speed, incline and whether someone is using the belt. If you compare two treadmills, use the same conditions for both.
Is a treadmill expensive to run?
There is no single maximum monthly cost that applies to every treadmill. A short walking session on one model may cost much less than long daily runs on another, and the same workout costs different amounts on different electricity tariffs.
For a personal estimate, measure the average watts during a typical workout, convert that reading to kWh, and multiply by your tariff. This gives you a better answer than using the motor horsepower printed in a product listing.
Sources and methodology
The watt, kilowatt and kilowatt-hour definitions follow the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s explanation of electricity measurement: EIA: Measuring electricity.
The calculation method is also explained by Which?: How to estimate energy use.
Independent treadmill testing has shown that power draw changes with speed and model. An Intertek analysis of five commercial treadmills is available here: Treadmill Energy Consumption Analysis. The results are older and should be treated as examples, not a universal average.
Updated September 2026. Electricity rates and treadmill specifications change, so use your own bill and a current measurement when accuracy matters.
