What size generator to run a table saw?
Table saw sizing at a glance: it draws 1800 running watts, surging to 4680W at startup.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 1800W |
| Starting (surge) watts | 4680W |
| Recommended class (this load + margin) | 6000W |
Why the startup surge matters
Because a table saw has a motor, it surges to about 4680W at startup — roughly 2.6× its running draw. If you size a generator only for the running watts, it can stall the instant the table saw switches on. Always size for the surge.
Sizing the whole system
The number above covers the table saw 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 table saw use?
A typical table saw draws about 1800 running watts, but needs roughly 4680 watts at startup due to motor surge.
What size generator runs a table saw?
For the table saw alone plus a safety margin, a 6000W (≈6.0kW) class generator is appropriate. Add your other essential loads to size the full system.