How can I tell what wattage my MacBook Pro (2016 touchbar) is charging at?

Jesse,

I think I understand your question. To see what power wattage the computer is actually receiving:

1. Click on small apple icon on the top left of your screen and then select "About This Mac."

2. Click on the "System Report" button.

3. On the left side of the Hardware list, select "Power."

4. On the right side, Scroll Down until you see "AC Charger Information."

The AC Charger Information will tell you exactly the current status of the AC power supply. In my experience, if you have a genuine Apple 87W USB-C power adapter connected you will see the wattage displayed at 86 (On 15-inch MBP).

I typically use a USB hub which only passes through 49 watts as you can see from my screenshot below. A lower wattage is really just fine. I sometimes use the 13-inch MBP, 60-watt charger for travel use because it is smaller and lighter. I have no idea what the true engineering minimum spec for a 15-inch MPB is. Running your computer at a lower wattage seems to be very common and typically not unsafe IF you use quality cables and chargers. The "con" of not using the full 87-watt source is that it will simply not charge the battery as quickly.

Hope this helps

I don't understand why the link was not helpful. You asked "If it is a lower wattage than the Apple-supplied 87 watts, is there a danger of damaging the computer?"

Here is what the link I provided said in the second paragraph: "You can use a compatible higher wattage adapter without issue, but it won't make your computer charge faster or operate differently. Lower wattage adapters don't provide enough power."

A 60 watt charger will still work with a Mac that has a peak power usage of 87, it will just take longer to charge. No harm can attach to either the Mac or the Charger.

Hi,

By definition of "pass-through charging" that cirucuit should be simply passing the the same voltage/amperage/wattage through to the other side.

I know of no software to measure that, but I have no reason to doubt it will do as it's supposed to.

No, a lower wattage would not damage the MBP.

"With that said, I've used my wife's 60 watt power adaptor with my MacBook Pro (15"), and even though it's lower than the recommend 87 watts, it does charge the computer."

This will indeed charge the computer, untill you ask for more juice (gaming, heavy workloads and the lot) then you will put a lot of pressure on your 60 watt magsafe to produce more that what it is rated at potentially harming it or the mac. This is why it's not recommended by apple I guess.

it does not matter if the power is slightly less passing through your USB-C port. The power normally charging your laptop is the exact same juice that comes out of the USB ports to power any peripheral devices. so normally power goes in runs through the mac and a part of it goes out the USB ports. Now if your USB-C hub is made so that it takes power directly from the magsafe your mac won't have to output that to the peripherals anyway. TL;DR power in is power out whatever you plug in. Just use a magsafe adapter with a sufficient power rating.

Find the right power adapter and cable for your Mac notebook - Apple Support