How Long to Charge a Nintendo Switch?
Charging a Nintendo Switch from empty to full takes about 35 min with its standard 39W charger. The battery holds roughly 16 Wh, and this page estimates the time for every common charger wattage, using the Lithium-ion (Li-ion / Li-Po) chemistry it actually uses.
Charge time calculator for Nintendo Switch
Estimated charge time
35 min
Includes the slower li-ion taper phase above 80%.
Charge time by charger wattage
| Charger | Power | Full charge (0-100%) |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C slow charger | 18W | 1 h 15 min |
| Standard USB-C charger | 39W | 35 min |
| Fast charger | 65W | 21 min |
Battery capacity: 16 Wh · Chemistry: li-ion
Small household electronics like this one draw very little power, so even a basic charger tops the battery up quickly; a faster charger mostly matters if you forgot to charge it the night before.
Expect anywhere from a lunch break to a couple of hours, depending on the charger you use.
With the fastest charger listed here (Fast charger, 65W) it takes about 21 min. With the slowest (USB-C slow charger, 18W) it takes about 1 h 15 min. The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console that can be played in handheld, tabletop, or docked TV mode.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to charge a Nintendo Switch?
- From 0% to 100% with the standard 39W charger, it takes about 35 min. Using a faster charger shortens that; using a weaker one extends it, see the table above for exact numbers.
- Can I use a higher-wattage charger to charge it faster?
- Yes, as long as the charger is compatible with the device's connector and voltage. The battery's own charge controller limits how much current it accepts, so a more powerful charger reduces time mainly in the 0-80% range; above 80% lithium-ion packs taper the charge rate for safety regardless of charger wattage.
- Why does charging slow down near the end?
- Lithium-ion batteries charge at full power up to about 80%, then switch to a slower "taper" phase that protects the cells from stress at high voltage. That's why the last 20% often takes nearly as long as the first 80%.
- How is this charge time calculated?
- We divide the energy needed (16 Wh times the percentage you're charging) by the charger's effective power, which is the charger's wattage times the battery chemistry's real-world charging efficiency (85% for Lithium-ion (Li-ion / Li-Po)). The same formula powers both this page and our API.
ChargeTimeCalculatorestimates are based on typical charger efficiency and battery chemistry, not a live connection to your device. Always follow your manufacturer's charging guidance.