How Many Amps Does a Dishwasher Use?

A dishwasher uses about 11.7 running amps at 120 volts (roughly 1,400 watts). To get your unit's exact draw, divide the nameplate watts by 120: amps = watts / volts. A dishwasher draws about 10-12 amps (roughly 1,400 watts with the heating element and drying cycle on) and belongs on a dedicated 15A or 20A circuit, GFCI protected and, under the 2023 NEC, AFCI protected. It should not share the circuit with the garbage disposal unless local practice allows and the breaker is sized for both.

A dishwasher belongs on a dedicated 20A / 120V circuit (NEC 210.8, 422.16). At 11.7 running amps it stays under the 80% continuous limit of that breaker, with headroom for the startup surge. Do not put it on a shared circuit with other large loads.

Divide the wattage on the nameplate by the voltage: amps = watts / volts. A dishwasher at about 1,400 watts on 120V works out to 1,400 / 120 = 11.7 amps. The nameplate always governs over a typical value.

Same answer: built-in dishwasher is another name for a dishwasher. It draws about 11.7 amps at 120V on a dedicated 20A circuit. A dishwasher draws about 10-12 amps (roughly 1,400 watts with the heating element and drying cycle on) and belongs on a dedicated 15A or 20A circuit, GFCI protected and, under the 2023 NEC, AFCI protected. It should not share the circuit with the garbage disposal unless local practice allows and the breaker is sized for both.