Home Energy Calculators
Hose and sprinkler water cost.
A hose or sprinkler costs gallons per minute x minutes x your price per gallon, and the flow is easy to measure yourself: time how long it takes to fill a bucket. Enter your flow, run time and water price to see the cost of a session, a week and the season. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
Your numbers
Result
Fill the form and press Calculate.
Worked example
Fill a 5 gallon bucket in 30 seconds and the flow is 5 / 30 x 60 = 10 gpm. An hour of sprinkling uses 600 gallons, which costs $3.00 at an example $5 per 1,000 gallons. Three waterings a week is 1,800 gallons and $9.00 a week; over 20 weeks that is 36,000 gallons and $180.00. Example inputs: replace them with your own.
How it works
Gallons = flow (gpm) x minutes. Flow from a bucket test is bucket gallons / seconds x 60. Cost = gallons / 1,000 x price per 1,000 gallons. Weekly and seasonal figures multiply by waterings per week and weeks of watering.
Context. The US EPA says outdoor water use accounts for 30 percent of household use nationally, and much more in drier parts of the country and in more water-intensive landscapes. It also says an in-ground irrigation system with a leak 1/32 inch in diameter can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month, so check for leaks.
Not covered. Flow changes with water pressure and the number of sprinklers on a line. This tool prices water you already run; to plan how much a lawn needs, see the irrigation runtime tool.
Sources and basis (pages opened 2026-10-08): US EPA WaterSense, How We Use Water; US EPA WaterSense, Fix a Leak Week.
This is a planning estimate and not professional plumbing, electrical or financial advice. Rates, fixtures and equipment vary, so confirm important decisions with your utility, the manufacturer or a licensed professional.
FAQ
How much does it cost to run a sprinkler?
Gallons per minute x minutes x your price per gallon. Measure the flow with a bucket test, then enter your run time and price to see the cost of a session and a season.
How do I measure my hose flow?
Time how long it takes to fill a bucket of known size, then divide gallons by seconds and multiply by 60 for gallons per minute.
How much of household water is used outdoors?
The EPA says outdoor use accounts for 30 percent of household use nationally, and can be much higher in drier parts of the country.
Do I pay sewer on outdoor water?
It depends on your utility. Some bill sewer only on indoor use or offer a separate meter; check your bill and enter a water price that matches.
Can a sprinkler system leak a lot?
Yes. The EPA says an irrigation system leak 1/32 inch in diameter can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month.