What size generator to run an electric dryer?
Electric dryer sizing at a glance: it draws 3000 running watts, surging to 6000W at startup.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 3000W |
| Starting (surge) watts | 6000W |
| Recommended class (this load + margin) | 7500W |
Why the startup surge matters
Because an electric dryer has a motor, it surges to about 6000W at startup — roughly 2× its running draw. If you size a generator only for the running watts, it can stall the instant the electric dryer switches on. Always size for the surge.
Sizing the whole system
The number above covers the electric dryer on its own with a safety margin. In a real outage you'll run other things too — and the right method is your total running load plus the single largest surge among everything, not the sum of every surge. Use the full calculator to size your actual setup:
Common questions
How many watts does an electric dryer use?
A typical electric dryer draws about 3000 running watts, but needs roughly 6000 watts at startup due to motor surge.
What size generator runs an electric dryer?
For the electric dryer alone plus a safety margin, a 7500W (≈7.5kW) class generator is appropriate. Add your other essential loads to size the full system.