UK Energy Bill Calculator
Estimate your gas and electricity bill with Ofgem's official price cap rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026 — electricity 26.32p/kWh, gas 7.97p/kWh, Direct Debit averages for England, Scotland and Wales.
Your annual kWh figures are on your energy bill or online account. Presets use Ofgem's Typical Domestic Consumption Values (2026).
| Energy used | Standing charge | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | £658.00 | £200.13 | £858.13 |
| Gas | £757.15 | £108.33 | £865.48 |
Estimates only. This calculator uses Ofgem's published price cap rates for a Direct Debit customer (GB average). Your actual unit rates and standing charges vary by region, supplier, tariff and payment method, so your real bill will differ. The price cap limits unit rates and standing charges — it is not a cap on your total bill. This site provides general information only and is not financial advice.
What does a typical home pay?
Ofgem groups homes by Typical Domestic Consumption Values. At the current price cap, the three usage levels work out like this:
6,000 kWh gas
9,500 kWh gas
14,000 kWh gas
Took two readings a month apart? See exactly what that period costs — energy used plus the standing charge for those days.
What does the fan heater, the shower or the fridge actually cost you? Enter the watts and hours and find out per day, month and year.
How the estimate works
For each fuel we multiply the kWh you use by the unit rate, then add the daily standing charge for 365 days. The rates are Ofgem's published price cap figures — the same ones suppliers use on standard variable tariffs. They already include VAT where it applies: 5% on gas, and 0% on electricity for this period because the Government has temporarily removed VAT from domestic electricity (1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027).
The full rates table, the VAT note and our sources are on the Price Cap Rates & Sources page. Remember the cap limits the price per unit — it is not a limit on your total bill. Households that use more than the typical amount will pay more than the headline £1,723 a year.
Frequently asked questions
How is my energy bill calculated?
Your bill is (units used in kWh × unit rate) + (days × daily standing charge), for each fuel. This calculator uses Ofgem's price cap rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026 — electricity 26.32p per kWh plus 54.83p a day, gas 7.97p per kWh plus 29.68p a day (Direct Debit, GB average) — so a typical household using 2,500 kWh of electricity and 9,500 kWh of gas a year pays about £1,724 a year, £143.63 a month.
What is the Ofgem price cap?
The price cap limits how much suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales can charge per unit of energy and per day (the standing charge) on standard variable tariffs. It does not cap your total bill — the more energy you use, the more you pay. Ofgem reviews it every three months. For 1 October to 31 December 2026 the cap works out at £1,723 a year for a typical Direct Debit household.
What is a standing charge?
A fixed daily fee you pay to stay connected to the energy network, even if you use no energy at all. Under the Oct–Dec 2026 price cap it averages 54.83p a day for electricity and 29.68p a day for gas — about £308 a year combined before you use a single unit.
How much energy does a typical UK home use?
Ofgem's Typical Domestic Consumption Values (2026) are: low use 1,600 kWh electricity and 6,000 kWh gas a year (a flat or 1-bed), typical use 2,500 kWh electricity and 9,500 kWh gas (a 2–3 bed home), and high use 3,800 kWh electricity and 14,000 kWh gas (a 4+ bed home). Your own annual usage is printed on your energy bill.
Is VAT included in these energy prices?
Yes. Ofgem's published rates are the rates that appear on your bill, including VAT where it applies. Domestic energy normally carries 5% VAT — that is the rate included in the gas figures. The Government has temporarily removed VAT from domestic electricity from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, so the electricity figures for this cap period include 0% VAT.
Why will my real bill be different?
The price cap rates vary by region, and they are different if you pay by standard credit or prepayment instead of Direct Debit. Your supplier's exact rates are on your bill. This calculator uses the GB average Direct Debit rates, so treat the result as a close estimate, not a quote.
How can I check the cost between two meter readings?
Use our Meter Reading Checker: enter the previous and current readings and the number of days between them. It multiplies the kWh you used by the cap unit rate and adds the standing charge for those days — the same way your supplier builds a bill.