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Jump starter charges calculator

Quick answer

A 16,800mAh jump starter stores about 62Wh, enough for roughly 5 jump attempts or 3 phone charges on one charge, assuming a 3.7V cell rating and about 10Wh per attempt including losses.

Jump starter charges calculatorLive
Likely jump attempts per charge5
Stored energy62 Wh
Phone charges3
Recharge time4.1 h

Top the pack up every three to six months even unused; lithium packs self-discharge slowly and deliver less when cold.

The math: Wh = mAh x 3.7V / 1,000; attempts = Wh x 0.85 / 10Wh; phone charges = Wh x 0.8 / 15Wh

Most packs quote mAh at the 3.7V cell voltage. Some quote at a different voltage, so if the listing states Wh, use that figure instead. Cold packs deliver less.

Jump starters by capacity

Prices from Amazon at the time of writing; they change often.

How many jumps do common pack sizes give?

Estimated from rated capacity at 3.7V, about 10Wh per jump attempt including losses, and 15Wh per phone charge.

Rated capacityEnergyJump attemptsPhone charges
8,000 mAh30 Wh21
12,000 mAh44 Wh32
16,800 mAh62 Wh53
20,000 mAh74 Wh63
24,000 mAh89 Wh74
26,800 mAh99 Wh85

How should I store and recharge a jump pack?

Recharge after every use and every three to six months in storage. Lithium packs lose a little charge each month, and a pack left at empty can drop below the level its protection circuit will recover from.

Heat is the bigger risk. A closed car in summer sun can far exceed the storage range most makers print in the manual. Keep the pack in the trunk or cabin shade, or bring it indoors during heat waves.

Before you rely on this: Connect red to the positive terminal first and black to bare engine metal away from the battery, and never store a lithium pack in a closed car in extreme heat; follow the maker's storage temperature range. Researched from published specifications and verified owner reviews, not hands-on testing. General information, not professional advice; check your vehicle manual and your local law.

Frequently asked questions

How many times can a jump starter jump a car on one charge?

A typical 16,000 to 20,000mAh pack gives roughly 4 to 6 attempts on a healthy engine, fewer on a large or cold engine or a completely flat battery. Makers often advertise higher counts measured on small engines in mild weather. Recharge after any use rather than relying on the remaining charge.

Is mAh the same as jump starting power?

No. mAh is stored energy, which sets how many attempts and phone charges you get. Starting power is how much current the pack can deliver in a burst, which depends on the cells and wiring. A high-mAh pack with weak cells can store plenty yet fail to turn a big engine.

How long does a jump starter take to recharge?

Divide the watt-hours by the charger input watts and allow about 15 percent for losses. A 62Wh pack takes about 4 hours on an 18W input and about 2.5 hours on USB-C 30W. Fast-charge inputs only help if you use a charger that supports them.

Can I leave a jump starter in my car all year?

Most people do, but heat and cold both matter. Check the storage temperature range in the manual; interior temperatures in a parked car in summer can exceed it. In winter the pack still works but delivers less current, so keeping it charged matters more.

Updated 2026-09-24