How Many Amps Is 2000 Watts?
2,000 W is 16.67 A at 120 V DC. At other common voltages — 240 V: 8.33 A. Use the calculator below for any voltage or circuit type.
2000 Watts to Amps — DC Reference Chart
| Voltage | Current (DC) | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 12 V | 166.6667 A | 12V automotive / RV / solar |
| 24 V | 83.3333 A | 24V solar / industrial DC |
| 48 V | 41.6667 A | 48V telecom / e-bike |
| 120 V | 16.6667 A | US household standard |
| 240 V | 8.3333 A | US/EU 240V circuit |
| 480 V | 4.1667 A | Industrial 3-phase (per phase) |
Breaker sizing: At 120V, 2000W draws 16.67A. Per NEC 210.20, size breakers at 125% of continuous load: 16.67 × 1.25 = 20.83A. This requires a 25A breaker (some electricians use 30A for a safety margin). At 240V (8.33A × 1.25 = 10.42A), a 15A breaker is adequate. Always consult a licensed electrician.
In practice: a 2000 W induction hob
A single-zone induction hob at full boost draws about 2,000 W — 16.7 A at 120 V, which overshoots the 16 A continuous ceiling of a 20 A circuit. Manufacturers work around this either by time-limiting the boost function or by supplying the unit for 240 V, where the same 2,000 W becomes a far easier 8.3 A. Confirm which supply your model expects before choosing cable, because the two versions look identical.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many amps is 2000 watts at 120V?
2000 watts at 120V DC = 2000 ÷ 120 = 16.6667 amps. For AC single-phase with PF 0.8: 2000 ÷ (120 × 0.8) = 20.8333 amps.
How many amps is 2000 watts at 240V?
2000 watts at 240V DC = 2000 ÷ 240 = 8.3333 amps. For AC single-phase with PF 0.8: 2000 ÷ (240 × 0.8) = 10.4167 amps.
What size breaker do I need for 2000 watts?
At 120V, 2000W draws 16.67A. The NEC requires breakers sized at 125% for continuous loads: 16.67 × 1.25 = 20.83A. A 25A breaker is required. At 240V (8.33A), a 15A breaker is adequate.