Guide
How much electricity does a treadmill use?
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In short
A walking pad at walking speed typically draws a few hundred watts, often roughly 0.2 to 0.5 kWh per hour of use. A running treadmill at higher speeds and incline can draw more, roughly 0.5 to 1 kWh or more per hour. Actual use depends on speed, incline and user weight. Multiply the kWh by the unit rate on your electricity bill to get your cost.
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Treadmills have motors measured in horsepower, which makes them sound power-hungry. In practice, a walking pad at a slow desk pace uses less electricity than many kitchen appliances, and even a running treadmill is used for limited periods. This guide explains how to turn watts into kilowatt hours, gives typical ranges for walking pads and treadmills, and shows how to work out your own cost using the unit rate on your bill. It also covers plugs, extension leads and standby, which matter as much for safety as for energy use.
Watts, kilowatts and kWh
Watts (W) measure power: how fast a machine is using electricity at a given moment. A kilowatt (kW) is 1,000 W. A kilowatt hour (kWh) is energy: 1 kW used for one hour. Your bill charges you per kWh, which is often called a unit.
To convert, divide the watts by 1,000 and multiply by the hours. A machine averaging 300 W for one hour uses 0.3 kWh. The same machine for two hours a day uses 0.6 kWh a day.
- 1
Find the average power in watts while you use it.
- 2
Divide by 1,000 to get kW.
- 3
Multiply by the hours used to get kWh.
- 4
Multiply kWh by the unit rate on your electricity bill.
Typical use for walking pads and treadmills
Motor ratings in HP are not the same as power drawn. A 2.5 HP motor is about 1,860 W at its rating, but a walking pad at 3 km/h uses only a fraction of that. Power rises with speed, incline and the weight on the belt. The rated input power on the label or in the manual is the maximum, not the typical draw.
The figures below are broad, typical ranges for illustration. For your own machine, a plug-in energy monitor between the socket and the plug gives a real reading.
| Use | Typical average power | Energy per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Walking pad at desk pace, 1 to 3 km/h | About 150 to 350 W | About 0.15 to 0.35 kWh |
| Walking pad at 5 to 6 km/h | About 250 to 500 W | About 0.25 to 0.5 kWh |
| Folding treadmill, brisk walk with incline | About 400 to 800 W | About 0.4 to 0.8 kWh |
| Running treadmill at running speeds | About 600 to 1,200 W or more | About 0.6 to 1.2 kWh or more |
| Standby, display off | Usually a few watts or less | Very small |
Working out your own running cost
Your electricity bill or app shows your unit rate per kWh. Multiply that by the kWh you use. For example, a walking pad using 0.3 kWh per hour for 10 hours a week uses 3 kWh a week. Multiply 3 by your unit rate to get the weekly cost. Rates vary by supplier, tariff and region, and they change over time, so always use your own figure.
The Energy Saving Trust publishes general advice on understanding your electricity use if you want to compare appliances around the home.
Plugs, sockets and extension leads
Walking pads and treadmills plug into a standard UK 13 A socket. Most makers ask you to plug directly into a wall socket rather than an extension lead or adaptor. A motor that draws a surge on start-up or under load can overload a lead, and voltage drops can trigger error codes. If you must use a lead, the manual will say which type, if any, is allowed.
Keep the cable out of the walking path and away from the belt and rollers.
Note:Plug directly into a wall socket unless the manual says otherwise. Do not daisy-chain extension leads. Unplug when not in use and never run the cable under the belt or a rug.
Reducing energy use
The main lever is how long the motor runs. Switch the machine off and unplug it after use rather than leaving it on standby. Keep the belt lubricated and correctly tensioned, because a dry, dragging belt makes the motor work harder. Our guide to how to lubricate a walking pad covers that.
Brushless motors, found on some newer pads, are often described as more efficient and quieter; see brushless vs brushed walking pad motors. If you live in a flat and want a pad that is light on noise as well, see our quiet walking pads guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a walking pad use? At walking speeds, typically a few hundred watts, often about 0.2 to 0.5 kWh per hour. A plug-in energy monitor gives the exact figure for your pad.
Does a treadmill use a lot of electricity? Less than many people expect. Even a running treadmill used for an hour typically uses around 1 kWh or less, depending on speed and incline.
Does incline use more electricity? Yes. The motor works harder to move the belt on a slope, and a powered incline motor uses power while it moves.
Should I unplug my treadmill after use? Most makers recommend it. It avoids standby use and is a sensible safety habit.
What you need
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KALWOL 4-in-1: 10% incline, 40 dB or less, 160 kg