What Size Generator Do You Need to Run a Power Drill?
By the Generator Size Calculator Team · Updated · 5 min read
Quick answer: Honda lists a corded hand drill at 350 watts for 1/4 inch, 400 for 3/8 inch and 600 for 1/2 inch, with no start-up surge. A 1,000-watt inverter runs one drill, though a 1/2 inch drill leaves little spare. For a 1/2 inch drill with lights or a second drill, a 2,000-watt inverter is more comfortable. Battery drills only need a charger.
Power drill watts
| Hand drill | Running watts | Starting watts |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 inch | 350 | 350 |
| 3/8 inch | 400 | 400 |
| 1/2 inch | 600 | 600 |
These are Honda's typical figures for corded drills. A drill working hard on thick material can draw more, so check the label on yours.
Which generator size to choose
| Setup | Running load | Generator |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 inch drill | 350 W | 1,000 W inverter |
| 3/8 inch drill | 400 W | 1,000 W inverter |
| 1/2 inch drill | 600 W | 1,000 W inverter (tight), 2,000 W comfortable |
| 1/2 inch and 3/8 inch drills together | 1,000 W | 2,000 W inverter |
Sizes keep the running load under 80% of the rating. A 1,000-watt inverter's 80% mark is 800 watts, so a 600-watt drill fits but leaves only about 200 watts for a light. Bigger tools are covered in what size generator runs a circular saw and what a workshop needs.
Cord and battery tips
- Use a short, heavy cord. See the extension cord calculator and voltage drop calculator.
- Battery drills need only a charger. A power station can handle that. See the portable power station calculator.
- Add lights separately. See generator size for work lights.
List the drill, lights and anything else.
Run the generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents. Never in a garage or shed, even with the door open. See how far a generator should be from your house.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a power drill use?
Honda lists corded hand drills at about 350 watts for 1/4 inch, 400 for 3/8 inch and 600 for 1/2 inch.
Can a 1000-watt generator run a drill?
Yes. A 600-watt 1/2 inch drill is under the 800-watt 80% mark of a 1,000-watt inverter, though a 2,000-watt unit leaves room for lights.
Do drills have a starting surge?
Honda lists the same starting and running watts for hand drills, so no extra surge.
Can I run two drills at once?
Yes, on about a 2,000-watt generator for a 1/2 inch and a 3/8 inch drill together.
What about a cordless drill?
It only needs a charger, which is a small load for any generator or power station.
Related calculators
Sources: Running and starting watts from the Honda generator wattage guide (hand drills). Generator sizes apply the 80% running rule.