1Pi 4B Desktop
Inputs
ModelPi 4B
PeripheralsKB + Mouse + SSD
Load50%
Result
PSU5V/3A
Raspberry Pi Power Calculator
Total Draw
875 mA
Watts
4.38W
PSU
2A
Board Draw
875 mA
Peripherals
0 mA
PSU Needed
5V / 2A
Battery Life
7.2h
What You'll Need
HUANCHAIN 50 FT 12/3 Gauge Heavy Duty Outdoor Extension Cord Waterproof with Lighted end, Flexible Cold-Resistant 3 Prong Electric Cord Outside, 15Amp 1875W 12AWG SJTW, Yellow, ETL
$41.994.8
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Surge Protector Power Strip - HANYCONY 8 Outlets 4 USB (2 USB C) Charging Ports, Multi Plug Outlet Extender, 5Ft Braided Extension Cord, Flat Plug Wall Mount Desk Charging Station for Home Office ETL
$9.994.8
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Jackery Explorer 500 v2 Portable Power Station, 512Wh LiFePO4 Battery, 500W AC/1000W Peak, Solar Generator for Camping, Outdoors, and Power Outages
$339.004.5
View on Amazon
P3 P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor
$30.684.6
View on Amazon
Govee Dual Smart Plug 2 Pack, 15A WiFi Bluetooth Outlet, Work with Alexa and Google Assistant, 2-in-1 Compact Design Bundle with Govee Smart Plug, WiFi Plugs Work with Alexa & Google Assistant
$48.984.9
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Arduino Uno R4 Minima Microcontroller Board
$20-$284.6
View on AmazonHUANCHAIN 50 FT 12/3 Gauge Heavy Duty Outdoor Extension Cord Waterproof with Lighted end, Flexible Cold-Resistant 3 Prong Electric Cord Outside, 15Amp 1875W 12AWG SJTW, Yellow, ETL
$41.994.8
View on AmazonSurge Protector Power Strip - HANYCONY 8 Outlets 4 USB (2 USB C) Charging Ports, Multi Plug Outlet Extender, 5Ft Braided Extension Cord, Flat Plug Wall Mount Desk Charging Station for Home Office ETL
$9.994.8
View on AmazonJackery Explorer 500 v2 Portable Power Station, 512Wh LiFePO4 Battery, 500W AC/1000W Peak, Solar Generator for Camping, Outdoors, and Power Outages
$339.004.5
View on AmazonP3 P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor
$30.684.6
View on AmazonGovee Dual Smart Plug 2 Pack, 15A WiFi Bluetooth Outlet, Work with Alexa and Google Assistant, 2-in-1 Compact Design Bundle with Govee Smart Plug, WiFi Plugs Work with Alexa & Google Assistant
$48.984.9
View on AmazonArduino Uno R4 Minima Microcontroller Board
$20-$284.6
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Example Calculations
2Pi Zero Weather Station
Inputs
ModelPi Zero W
PeripheralsBME280
Battery5,000 mAh
Result
Runtime~39h
Frequently Asked Questions
QHow much power does a Raspberry Pi use?
A Pi 4B uses 550-1200 mA (2.75-6W) depending on load. A Pi 5 draws 600-2500 mA. A Pi Zero W uses just 80-230 mA. Add peripheral draw for total power budget.
- Pi 5: 600–2,500 mA (3–12.5W)
- Pi 4B: 550–1,200 mA (2.75–6W)
- Pi 3B+: 350–980 mA (1.75–4.9W)
- Pi Zero 2 W: 100–350 mA (0.5–1.75W)
- Pi Zero W: 80–230 mA (0.4–1.15W)
| Model | Idle (mA) | Max (mA) | Recommended PSU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pi 5 | 600 | 2,500 | 5V/5A |
| Pi 4B | 550 | 1,200 | 5V/3A |
| Pi 3B+ | 350 | 980 | 5V/2.5A |
| Pi Zero 2W | 100 | 350 | 5V/1A |
QWhat size power supply do I need?
Use the official recommendation: 5V/5A for Pi 5, 5V/3A for Pi 4B, and 5V/2.5A for Pi 3B+. Add current draw for all USB peripherals. A good rule is 1.2× total expected draw.
- Pi 5: official 5V/5A USB-C supply
- Pi 4B: 5V/3A USB-C supply minimum
- Pi 3B/3B+: 5V/2.5A micro USB
- Pi Zero: 5V/1A is usually sufficient
- Always use 20% headroom above calculated draw
QHow long will a battery power my Raspberry Pi?
A 10,000 mAh power bank at 3.7V with 85% efficiency gives about 7.4 Wh usable. A Pi 4B at idle (3W) runs about 2.5 hours. At full load (6W), about 1.2 hours. Pi Zero W at idle lasts over 15 hours.
- 10,000 mAh × 3.7V × 0.85 = 31.4 Wh usable
- Pi 4B idle: ~10 hours on 10,000 mAh
- Pi 4B full load: ~5 hours
- Pi Zero W idle: ~40+ hours
- Add peripheral draw to reduce runtime
QCan I power a Raspberry Pi from solar?
Yes, a 20W solar panel with an MPPT charge controller and 12V battery can power a Pi 4B 24/7 in most climates. Size the battery for overnight use (at least 12-15 Wh for Pi 4B).
- 20W panel: enough for Pi 4B in full sun
- 10W panel: enough for Pi Zero W
- Battery: size for 12+ hours overnight
- Use MPPT charge controller for efficiency
- Consider power-saving sleep modes
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Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026
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