Leak cost calculator: what is that drip costing you?
A drip sounds small until you add it up. Count the drips for a minute, or pick a leak below, and see how much water and money it wastes in a day, a month and a year.
- EPA estimates
- Per day to per year
- Your water rate
Drips use the EPA estimate that a faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year. "Running toilet" uses the EPA figure of 200 gallons a day; some waste more, many less. Real leaks vary, so treat this as a ballpark.
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How it works
The numbers come from EPA WaterSense, which estimates that a faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year, and from its Fix a Leak Week fact sheet, which says a running toilet can waste 200 gallons or more a day.
Drips: one drip a second is 60 a minute, so each drip per minute works out to about 50 gallons a year. Per day and per month are divided down from that. The tap counter times 30 seconds and converts your taps to drips per minute.
Running toilet uses that 200-gallon figure. Some waste more, and a slow flapper leak wastes much less. Cost is gallons ÷ 1,000 × your water and sewer rate.
About this tool
Who it's for
For anyone deciding whether that drip is worth fixing this weekend (it usually is).
Example
You enterA faucet dripping about once a second, water and sewer at $10 per 1,000 gallons
You getAbout 3,000 gallons and $30 a year.
What's different
- Uses the EPA's own estimates for drips and running toilets.
- Lets you count drips instead of guessing.
- Links straight to the fix.
Gotchas and tips
- Include sewer charges; most are based on water use.
- A running toilet can waste far more than a drip.
- Treat the result as a ballpark; leaks vary.
Privacy: Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us, and anything it remembers is saved on this device only.
Built and maintained by the GrabTheHammer team, using the same time, cost and safety notes as our guides. Updated November 2026. Spot a problem? Tell us.
Leak questions
How much water does a dripping faucet waste?
The EPA estimates a faucet dripping once a second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year. A slower drip wastes less, a faster one more, which is why counting drips for a minute gives a better estimate.
How much does a running toilet waste?
A running toilet can waste 200 gallons or more a day, according to the EPA, often without making much noise. Most running toilets are fixed with a new flapper that costs a few dollars.
Where do I find my water rate?
Your water bill usually lists the price per 1,000 gallons, or per unit (often 748 gallons, called a CCF). Add the sewer charge too, since most sewer fees are based on the water you use.