What size generator to run a power tools?
Power tools sizing at a glance: it draws 1000 running watts, surging to 2600W at startup.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 1000W |
| Starting (surge) watts | 2600W |
| Recommended class (this load + margin) | 3500W |
Why the startup surge matters
Because a power tools has a motor, it surges to about 2600W at startup — roughly 2.6× its running draw. If you size a generator only for the running watts, it can stall the instant the power tools switches on. Always size for the surge.
Sizing the whole system
The number above covers the power tools 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 a power tools use?
A typical power tools draws about 1000 running watts, but needs roughly 2600 watts at startup due to motor surge.
What size generator runs a power tools?
For the power tools alone plus a safety margin, a 3500W (≈3.5kW) class generator is appropriate. Add your other essential loads to size the full system.