How many amps does a refrigerator use?
Short answer: A modern full-size refrigerator draws about 1–2 A at 120 V while the compressor runs (120–250 W), and up to about 10 A for under a second when it starts. It belongs on a 15 A or 20 A circuit; the NEC lets it share the kitchen's 20 A small-appliance circuit or have its own.
Running amps by refrigerator type
Amps = watts ÷ volts. Typical running draw while the compressor is on, at 120 V:
| Appliance | Running watts | Running amps |
|---|---|---|
| Compact / mini fridge | 60–100 W | 0.5–0.8 A |
| Top-freezer, 18 cu ft (ENERGY STAR) | 120–150 W | 1.0–1.3 A |
| Side-by-side or French door, 25 cu ft | 150–250 W | 1.3–2.1 A |
| Refrigerator during defrost cycle | 400–600 W | 3.3–5.0 A |
| Chest freezer, 7 cu ft | 60–100 W | 0.5–0.8 A |
The nameplate inside the door usually shows a higher figure (often 5–7 A). That is the maximum the unit can draw, including the defrost heater and ice maker, not what it pulls most of the time.
Starting amps
A compressor motor pulls several times its running current for a fraction of a second as it starts: about 1,200 W, or 10 A, for an older or larger fridge, less for newer inverter-compressor models that ramp up slowly. That matters for generators and power stations, which must supply the surge; it doesn't matter for the circuit breaker, which is designed to ride through it.
What circuit a refrigerator needs
- NEC 210.52(B): kitchen receptacles are fed by at least two 20 A small-appliance circuits. The refrigerator can share one of them, or (by exception) have its own individual 15 A or larger circuit.
- A dedicated circuit is good practice even where not required: a microwave and toaster on the same circuit as the fridge can trip the breaker and leave the fridge off without anyone noticing.
- GFCI: recent NEC editions require GFCI protection for kitchen receptacles generally, which in many jurisdictions includes the refrigerator's. Modern GFCIs rarely nuisance-trip on a working refrigerator; one that trips repeatedly may be pointing at a real leakage fault.
What it costs to run
A fridge drawing 150 W with its compressor on about 10 of 24 hours uses 1.5 kWh a day, roughly 550 kWh a year. At the U.S. average of 18.19¢/kWh that is about $8.19 a month or $99.59 a year. A 20-year-old fridge can use twice that, which is why replacing one sometimes pays for itself.
Convert your fridge's watts to amps