My plate shows amps, not kW. What do I enter?

Approximate kW: Single-phase: kW ≈ (Volts × Amps × Power Factor) ÷ 1000 Three-phase: kW ≈ √3 × Volts × Amps × Power Factor ÷ 1000If PF isn’t listed, a rough 0.8 is often used for estimation. For accuracy, use the manufacturer’s data.

Does this include consumables or labour?

No. It’s electricity only. Add tooling, gas, filters, materials, and labour separately for full job costing.

Why don’t my bills match exactly?

Real-world usage depends on duty cycles, standby time, and other site loads. Use the calculator as a planning guide, then refine with your own meter or smart plug readings.

Free Machine Running Cost Calculator Tool

Know your power costs in seconds. Enter your kW rating, electricity cost per kWh, and run time to see cost per hour and per job — VAT-ready for UK businesses. Ideal for CNC routers, CO₂ and fibre lasers.

Machine Running Cost Calculator

Enter your machine's kW rating, electricity cost per kWh, and the run time. Click Calculate to see cost per hour and cost per job.

Machine power (kW) Electricity cost (per kWh)

Tip: UK typical business tariff example ≈ 0.22–0.35 £/kWh (enter your exact rate)

Run time

Hours Minutes

Include VAT

Cost per hour—

Cost per job—

What this tool does

A quick way to work out your electricity cost per hour and per job for machines like CNC routers, CO₂ lasers, and fibre laser cutters. Enter your machine’s kW rating, your tariff per kWh, and the job run time. The calculator handles VAT automatically.

Before you start

Machine power (kW): Use the rating plate or the manual.
Electricity tariff (per kWh): Check your latest energy bill or contract.
Run time: Estimate the active cutting/processing time per job.
VAT: Leave at 20% for most UK businesses unless you’re exempt.

Note: This calculator provides indicative power costs only and excludes consumables, gas and labour. Use at your own risk; Mantech accepts no liability for decisions based on these figures.

Step-by-step

Enter Machine power (kW) — e.g., 7.5.
Choose your Currency and enter Electricity cost (per kWh) — e.g., 0.23.
Enter Run time — hours and minutes for a typical job.
Tick Include VAT and pick the correct rate if applicable.
Click Calculate.
Read your Cost per hour and Cost per job in the results panel

Worked example

kW = 7.5
Tariff = £0.23 / kWh
Run time = 1 hour 30 minutes
VAT = 20%
Cost per hour: ≈ £2.07
Cost per job: ≈ £3.11

Tips for realistic results

Idle vs load: Nameplate kW is a maximum. Real usage varies with workload, materials, vacuum pumps, and dust extraction.
Accessories: If your extractor or chiller is significant, add their kW to the main machine’s kW for a fuller picture.
Batching: Enter a longer total run time to see cost per job across a batch (it scales linearly).
Update tariffs: Energy rates change—keep your per kWh figure current.

FAQs

My plate shows amps, not kW. What do I enter?
Approximate kW:
- Single-phase: kW ≈ (Volts × Amps × Power Factor) ÷ 1000
- Three-phase: kW ≈ √3 × Volts × Amps × Power Factor ÷ 1000
  If PF isn’t listed, a rough 0.8 is often used for estimation. For accuracy, use the manufacturer’s data.
Does this include consumables or labour?
No. It’s electricity only. Add tooling, gas, filters, materials, and labour separately for full job costing.
Why don’t my bills match exactly?
Real-world usage depends on duty cycles, standby time, and other site loads. Use the calculator as a planning guide, then refine with your own meter or smart plug readings.

Notes for CNC & laser users

CNC routers: Don’t forget the vacuum pump/compressor. These can add meaningful kW.
CO₂ & fibre lasers: Include chiller units and fume extraction. Cutting thicker material or higher duty cycles increases average draw.

Good practice for quoting

Re-check your tariff quarterly.
Use conservative (slightly higher) kW if you’re unsure.
Document your assumptions on quotes so customers understand the basis.

Troubleshooting

No results? Click Calculate after entering values.
Odd numbers? Ensure decimals use a dot or comma (both are accepted).
Nothing changes? Clear the inputs and try again; then set VAT back to 20% if required.