How Many Amps Does a Refrigerator Use?

A refrigerator 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 household refrigerator draws about 6 running amps (roughly 700 watts) but its compressor motor surges to 12-15 amps for a moment at startup, which is why it is best on its own circuit. A dedicated 15A circuit is code-compliant; 20A is common for headroom. Under the 2023 NEC a kitchen refrigerator receptacle requires GFCI protection (210.8(A)).

A refrigerator is typically put on a dedicated 20A / 120V circuit. In a dwelling kitchen the code puts the refrigerator receptacle on one of the 20A small-appliance circuits, or permits an individual branch circuit rated 15A or more for it (NEC 210.52(B)(1) and its Exception No. 2). At 5.8 running amps it is within the 20A rating of that circuit (NEC 210.22), with headroom for the startup surge.

Divide the wattage on the nameplate by the voltage: amps = watts / volts. A refrigerator 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: fridge is another name for a refrigerator. It draws about 5.8 amps at 120V, typically on a dedicated 20A / 120V circuit. A household refrigerator draws about 6 running amps (roughly 700 watts) but its compressor motor surges to 12-15 amps for a moment at startup, which is why it is best on its own circuit. A dedicated 15A circuit is code-compliant; 20A is common for headroom. Under the 2023 NEC a kitchen refrigerator receptacle requires GFCI protection (210.8(A)).