Cost per boil
How much does it cost to boil a kettle?
Time one boil, enter your kettle's power and see what repeat cups of tea add to the electricity bill.
Your kettle
Calculate each boil
Boiling time captures the amount of water: a single mug normally boils faster than a full kettle.
The element switches off at boiling point, so measured boiling time is more useful than a rough daily runtime.
Water matters
Only boil what you need.
A high-power kettle is not automatically more expensive: it may reach boiling point faster. The amount of water, starting temperature, scale and automatic shut-off all affect total energy.
| 3 kW kettle | Energy | Cost at 24.5p |
|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | 0.05 kWh | 1.2p |
| 2 minutes | 0.10 kWh | 2.5p |
| 4 minutes | 0.20 kWh | 4.9p |
Use the cup markings, descale when needed and avoid reboiling water unnecessarily. These small changes reduce both boiling time and wasted energy.
Common questions
Kettle answers.
How much does it cost to boil a kettle?
A 3 kW kettle running for two minutes uses 0.1 kWh, costing roughly 2.5p at a tariff of 24.5p per kWh.
Does a full kettle cost more to boil?
Usually yes, because heating more water takes longer and requires more energy.
Is a lower-wattage kettle cheaper?
Not necessarily. A lower-wattage kettle may run for longer. Compare total kWh per boil rather than wattage alone.