What Size Breaker for a Stove or Range?

A typical electric range (stove) requires a 40- or 50-amp, 240-volt double-pole breaker on 8 AWG (40 A) or 6 AWG (50 A) copper wire with a NEMA 14-50 outlet.

Breaker size by cooking appliance

A freestanding electric range needs a 40- or 50-amp double-pole breaker; a built-in wall oven typically needs 30 amps; an electric cooktop typically needs 30 to 40 amps. All of them run on dedicated 240-volt (or 120/240-volt) circuits. The table below gives the common residential sizes — the appliance nameplate and installation sheet always govern.

Typical breaker, wire, and outlet by cooking appliance (240 V)
Appliance	Typical rating	Breaker	Copper wire	Connection
Apartment-size range (small)	≤ 8.75 kW	30-40 A double-pole	10-8 AWG	NEMA 14-30 / 14-50
Standard freestanding range	10-12 kW	40 A double-pole	8 AWG	NEMA 14-50 receptacle
Large / induction range	12-16 kW	50 A double-pole	6 AWG	NEMA 14-50 receptacle
Pro-style / dual-fuel range	16 kW+	50-60 A double-pole	6-4 AWG	NEMA 14-50 or hardwired
Single wall oven	3-5 kW	20-30 A double-pole	12-10 AWG	Usually hardwired
Double wall oven	6-9 kW	30-40 A double-pole	10-8 AWG	Usually hardwired
Electric cooktop	6-9 kW	30-40 A double-pole	10-8 AWG	Usually hardwired

A standard 40-amp range circuit uses 8 AWG copper; a 50-amp range circuit uses 6 AWG copper. NEC 210.19(A)(3) sets a 40-amp minimum branch circuit for any household range rated 8.75 kW or more, which is why 40 amps is the floor for a full-size range even when the demand math comes out lower.

Why a 12 kW range only needs a 40 A breaker: NEC 220.55 demand factors

A 12,000-watt range would naively need 12,000 W ÷ 240 V = 50 amps. The NEC does not size it that way, because you never run every burner and the oven at maximum simultaneously. NEC Table 220.55 applies a demand factor to household cooking appliances. Here is the worked example for one standard range:

Nameplate: 12 kW. Table 220.55, Column C gives a demand of 8 kW for one range rated 8.75-12 kW.
Demand current: 8,000 W ÷ 240 V = 33.3 A.
Breaker: the next standard size at or above 33.3 A per NEC 240.6(A) is 40 A — which also satisfies the 40 A minimum of NEC 210.19(A)(3).
Wire: 8 AWG copper, rated for 40 amps.

For ranges over 12 kW, Column C's 8 kW figure is increased by 5% for each kW above 12, which is how large ranges land on 50-amp circuits. Installers commonly run 6 AWG on a 50-amp breaker for any new range circuit anyway, so the circuit can accept a larger future range or induction model without rewiring.

Receptacle or hardwired?

Freestanding ranges are cord-and-plug connected to a NEMA 14-50 receptacle (4-prong: two hots, neutral, ground) — the plug doubles as the required disconnecting means, and the range can be pulled out for service. Wall ovens and cooktops are usually hardwired into a junction box, though cord-and-plug connection is permitted where the manufacturer allows it. As with dryers, the 3-wire NEMA 10-50 range receptacle is legacy: NEC 250.140 permits existing 3-wire circuits to remain, but every new range circuit must be 4-wire with a separate equipment ground.

One more common question: a wall oven and a cooktop in the same kitchen may share a single branch circuit — NEC Table 220.55 Note 4 lets you treat one counter-mounted cooktop plus up to two wall ovens on the same circuit as a single range of their combined rating for the demand calculation.

Gas stove note

A gas range only uses electricity for the igniter, controls, and oven light, so it plugs into a standard 120-volt, 15- or 20-amp receptacle. No 240-volt circuit or double-pole breaker is required for a gas stove.

Safety first

This page is educational reference material. Range circuits carry 40 to 60 amps at 240 volts and involve panel work and demand-factor calculations. Fixed electrical installation work must be carried out by a licensed electrician in accordance with the applicable local wiring code (e.g. NEC/NFPA 70, BS 7671, AS/NZS 3000, IEC 60364), and new range circuits generally require a permit and inspection.

Frequently asked questions

What size breaker do I need for an electric stove?

A typical freestanding electric range needs a 40- or 50-amp, 240-volt double-pole breaker — 40 A on 8 AWG copper for a standard 10-12 kW range, 50 A on 6 AWG copper for larger or induction models — feeding a NEMA 14-50 outlet. Always confirm against the appliance nameplate.

Is a stove 40 amp or 50 amp?

Either, depending on the range rating. Under NEC 220.55 a 12 kW range works out to a 33 A demand and a 40-amp breaker; ranges above about 12 kW, and most induction ranges, are put on 50-amp circuits. Many electricians run 6 AWG/50 A for all new range circuits for future-proofing.

What wire size do I need for a stove?

8 AWG copper for a 40-amp range circuit or 6 AWG copper for a 50-amp circuit, run as 4-conductor cable (two hots, neutral, ground). A 30-amp wall oven circuit uses 10 AWG copper.

Why does a 12,000-watt range not need a 50-amp breaker?

Because NEC Table 220.55 Column C applies a demand factor: one 12 kW range is calculated at only 8 kW, since all burners and the oven never run flat-out simultaneously. That gives 8,000 W / 240 V = 33.3 A, so a 40-amp breaker satisfies both the demand and the 40 A minimum in NEC 210.19(A)(3).

Can a wall oven and cooktop be on the same circuit?

Yes. NEC Table 220.55 Note 4 permits one counter-mounted cooktop and up to two wall ovens in the same room to be supplied by a single branch circuit, treated as one range of their combined kW rating for the demand calculation. The circuit and wire must be sized to that combined demand.

What outlet does an electric range use?

New installations use the 4-prong NEMA 14-50 receptacle (two hots, neutral, equipment ground). The 3-prong NEMA 10-50 is legacy — existing 3-wire circuits may remain in service under NEC 250.140, but all new range circuits must be 4-wire.

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Last verified: 2026-07-10