How Many Amps Does a 5,000 Watt Inverter Draw?

Answer
463 A at 12 V (full load)

Battery amps = watts ÷ (battery volts × inverter efficiency). At full load a 5,000 W inverter draws 463 A at 12 V, 231 A at 24 V or 116 A at 48 V (90% efficiency).

Free, no sign-upInstant resultsUpdated October 2026
Calculate
Circuit
W
V
A
PF
1.0 for heaters and lights; 0.8–0.9 for motors.
Result
–
How we calculated this

    For estimating and educational purposes only. Results are approximate and are not a substitute for a licensed professional, the manufacturer's instructions or your local code. Disclaimer

    5,000 W inverter: current, fuse and cable

    BatteryFull-load currentFuse (125%)Copper cable (75 °C)
    12 V463 A– A> 500 kcmil
    24 V231 A300 A350 kcmil
    48 V116 A150 A1/0 AWG

    The calculator above uses the input power: 5,000 W ÷ 0.9 = 5,556 W. Keep battery cables short (under 10 ft) or size up for voltage drop. Follow the inverter manual for fuse and cable sizes.

    Frequently asked questions

    How long will a 100Ah battery run a 5,000 W inverter?

    About 12 minutes at full load on a 12 V LiFePO4 battery.

    Should a 5,000 W inverter be 12 V or 24 V?

    24 V or 48 V halves or quarters the current, allowing thinner cables. Above about 2,000 W, 24 V or 48 V is recommended.

    Open the full calculator: Watts, Amps & Volts Calculator →