How much do diapers cost?
How much do diapers cost?
$0.10 – $0.74 average cost per diaper
$20 – $270 cost of diapers per month
$240 – $3,200 total cost for the first year
Average diapering costs
Diapering costs $0.10 to $0.74 per diaper or $20 to $270 per month on average. Diaper prices vary depending on the diaper size and type, pack size, and brand. Disposable diapers cost around $240 to $3,200 for the first year, not including wipes or accessories. Most babies use about 6 to 12 diapers per day.
| Measurement | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Per diaper | $0.10 – $0.74 |
| Per month | $20 – $270 |
| First year | $240 – $3,200 |
| Total (30 months) | $600 – $8,100 |
The exact number of diapers a baby needs each day depends on the infant's age, weight, routine, and feeding habits.
Diaper cost by size
Diapers cost $0.10 to $0.74 each on average. Most babies don't need very many newborn or larger sizes and spend the most time in sizes 1 to 3. Every baby grows at a different rate, so some are already potty trained by the time they reach size 5 to 7.
| Diaper size | Average diapers needed | Average cost per diaper | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 140 – 280 | $0.10 – $0.47 | $15 – $130 |
| 1 | 500 – 650 | $0.11 – $0.37 | $55 – $240 |
| 2 | 400 – 700 | $0.11 – $0.41 | $45 – $290 |
| 3 | 950 – 1,100 | $0.13 – $0.42 | $120 – $460 |
| 4 | 250 – 600 | $0.14 – $0.52 | $35 – $300 |
| 5 | As needed | $0.17 – $0.61 | As needed |
| 6 | As needed | $0.21 – $0.74 | As needed |
| 7 | As needed | $0.23 – $0.64 | As needed |
When to size up diapers
Diaper companies base their sizes on weight, not age. Every baby grows at a different rate, so you'll have to keep your eye on how the diapers fit to know when to size up.
Most diapers have fastener tabs that serve as indicators—If the tabs overlap or don't meet in the middle, the diaper may be too big or small. If the diaper leaves red marks or is leaking regularly, it does not fit properly.
| Diaper size | Baby's weight (pounds) |
|---|---|
| Premie | Under 6 |
| Newborn | 6 – 10 |
| 1 | 8 – 14 |
| 2 | 12 – 18 |
| 3 | 16 – 28 |
| 4 | 22 – 37 |
| 5 | 27 – 35 |
| 6 | 35+ |
| 7 | 41+ |
Premature babies under 6 pounds need a Premie size until they gain weight.
Diaper prices by brand
Diaper prices vary depending on the brand, diaper size, and box size. Generic brands like Parent's Choice and Kirkland all meet the same standards as name brands. Name-brand diapers like Pampers and Huggies cost more because marketing drives up their prices.
The following table shows the average cost of the most popular diaper brands:
| Brand name | Cost per diaper |
|---|---|
| Pampers | $0.25 – $0.62 |
| Huggies | $0.30 – $0.55 |
| Honest | $0.37 – $0.74 |
| Parent's Choice (Walmart) | $0.10 – $0.23 |
| Up & Up (Target) | $0.15 – $0.34 |
| Kirkland (Costco)* | $0.18 – $0.34* |
| Member's Mark (Sam's Club)* | $0.15 – $0.30* |
*Requires a membership
Diaper cost factors
The following factors may affect the total cost of diapers:
Box size: The number of diapers in a box varies. Some packs come with 20 or 40 diapers, while others have over 100. As the diaper sizes increase, you'll usually get fewer diapers per box.
Eco-friendly: Eco-friendly diapers from brands like Honest cost more than average. These diapers are typically plant-based and made with sustainable ingredients.
Retailer: Actual costs depend on where you buy your diapers and whether they're on sale. For example, Target usually charges a little more than Walmart for name-brand diapers.
Subscriptions: Websites like Coterie offer auto-renew subscription plans that ship you diapers to your home automatically.
Babies cost $1,100 to $2,500+ per month on average. This includes not only diapers but also food, clothing, healthcare, childcare, and other necessities.
Cloth diapers
Cloth diapering costs $450 to $1,500 total on average, not counting detergent or water costs. The cloth diapers themselves cost $5 to $20 each. This is a bigger investment than disposables up front, but they cost less over time and can be used for multiple children over the years.
These diapers come with an absorbent liner and water-resistant shell. To reuse cloth diapers, you must wash and sanitize them after every use. This is a low-waste option but can be very time-consuming. If your baby goes to daycare, be aware that not all daycare centers accept cloth diapers.
Accessories
Besides the diapers themselves, you will also need the following related items:
Baby wipes cost $0.02 to $0.07 per wipe on average.
Diaper pails cost $30 to $100.
Diaper rash cream costs $5 to $20 per tube or tub.
A wipe warmer costs $10 to $30. This isn't strictly necessary but can ease your baby's discomfort during diaper changing.
Diapering FAQs
Do diapers expire?
Diapers technically don't have an expiration date. However, they can lose their elasticity and become less effective over time. If you can, use or donate diapers within 2 years of buying them.
How many diapers does a newborn use a day?
Newborns tend to use 8 to 12 diapers per day. As your baby gets older, they'll sleep for longer stretches and won't need to feed as often, so they'll use about 6 to 10 per day instead.
How long do kids need diapers?
Most children start potty training at around 18 to 30 months, but they may still need diapers or pull-ups until they're 3 or 4 years old. The timing for potty training is highly individual and may be prolonged if the child is stressed, so don't force it if they're not ready.
How many of each diaper size do I need?
While it may be tempting to stock up on diapers early on, the exact amount you'll need in each size varies a lot depending on your baby's weight and how fast or slow they grow:
Newborn: 140 to 280
Size 1: 500 to 650
Size 2: 400 to 700
Size 3: 950 to 1,100
Size 4: 250 to 600
Size 5 to 7: As needed
Tips for choosing diapers
When looking for the right brand and size of diapers, keep these tips in mind:
Use coupons and search for deals online.
If your preferred store is having a sale, try stockpiling diapers at a lower price while you can. Just don't go overboard with one size, especially if your baby is growing quickly.
Pay attention to how your baby's skin reacts to the diapers you use.
If you have a Sam's Club or Costco membership, take advantage of bulk deals and sales.
Make sure the diaper tabs meet in the middle of the diaper and size up or down depending on how they fit your little one.
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.