How Many Amps Does a Garbage Disposal Use?

A garbage disposal uses about 5.8 running amps at 120 volts (roughly 700 watts). Because it is a motor load, it surges to several times that for a moment at startup. To get your unit's exact draw, divide the nameplate watts by 120: amps = watts / volts. A garbage disposal draws about 6-8 running amps (1/3 to 1/2 HP) with a brief motor surge, on a dedicated 15A circuit for most units or 20A for larger ones. Larger 3/4 to 1 HP disposals pull more; size to the nameplate. Confirm whether local practice lets it share the dishwasher circuit.

A garbage disposal belongs on a dedicated 15A / 120V circuit (NEC 422.16, 210.23(A)). At 5.8 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 garbage disposal at about 700 watts on 120V works out to 700 / 120 = 5.8 amps. Add a startup surge of several times that for a fraction of a second on the motor. The nameplate always governs over a typical value.

Same answer: disposal is another name for a garbage disposal. It draws about 5.8 amps at 120V on a dedicated 15A circuit. A garbage disposal draws about 6-8 running amps (1/3 to 1/2 HP) with a brief motor surge, on a dedicated 15A circuit for most units or 20A for larger ones. Larger 3/4 to 1 HP disposals pull more; size to the nameplate. Confirm whether local practice lets it share the dishwasher circuit.