UK Electricity Unit Rate Guide
Your electricity unit rate is the amount charged for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumed. Using the right rate makes an appliance running-cost estimate relevant to your household: appliance electricity usage × electricity unit rate = estimated running cost.
The current calculator default remains 26.11p per kWh for 1 July–30 September 2026. The next average, 26.32p per kWh, starts on 1 October 2026. Replace the default with your own supplier's rate.
View Ofgem electricity rates →Current UK electricity unit rate
For 1 July to 30 September 2026, Ofgem's average electricity unit rate is 26.11p/kWh, with an average electricity standing charge of 57.19p/day. These are average figures across England, Scotland and Wales for standard variable/default tariffs paid by Direct Debit, not universal household prices.
EnergyCalc UK currently uses 26.11p/kWh as a convenient starting point. For a personalised estimate, replace it with your actual electricity tariff rate. Your region, supplier, payment method, meter type and tariff can all affect the amount you pay.
Electricity rate from 1 October 2026
Ofgem has announced 26.32p/kWh and a 54.83p/day standing charge for 1 October to 31 December 2026. These are the next average Direct Debit electricity figures for standard variable/default tariffs across England, Scotland and Wales.
The calculator default remains 26.11p/kWh until 1 October 2026. For an estimate covering a later period, enter the rate your supplier confirms for that period.
From 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, qualifying domestic electricity supplies in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) are temporarily zero-rated for VAT. The published Ofgem electricity figures for 1 October to 31 December 2026 reflect this change.
What does p/kWh mean?
The “p” means pence and “kWh” means kilowatt-hour, a unit of energy. Together, p/kWh means the pence paid for each kilowatt-hour used. If electricity costs 26.11p/kWh and an appliance uses 2 kWh:
This is the energy-use part of the appliance cost. It does not assign the household's separate daily standing charge to that individual appliance. Divide a cost in pence by 100 to express it in pounds.
How to find your electricity unit rate
Check your latest electricity bill, supplier app, online account, tariff information or tariff change notice. Look for “Unit rate”, “Electricity unit rate”, “Energy charge” or “p/kWh”. Check the effective dates, especially if a bill covers a price change.
- Use the electricity rate, not the gas rate on a combined bill.
- Choose the figure expressed in p/kWh, rather than your monthly payment.
- Do not put a daily standing charge into the electricity-price box.
If VAT treatment or presentation is unclear, use the supplier's final electricity usage rate applicable to your period. Check whether a displayed rate excludes any applicable VAT; ask the supplier if necessary, rather than adding tax twice.
Unit rate vs standing charge
The unit rate applies to electricity consumed. The standing charge is a fixed daily charge associated with having the supply. EnergyCalc UK appliance calculators estimate the variable energy cost, so they do not add the household standing charge to individual appliances.
An appliance might use £0.50 of electricity, but the household's standing charge would normally apply whether or not that appliance was switched on. Assigning the whole daily charge to it would misrepresent its running cost and could count the same charge repeatedly when comparing several appliances.
Why your electricity rate may be different
Prices vary by region, supplier, tariff, payment method and meter type. A fixed deal may have a different unit price from a variable tariff, while time-of-use pricing changes the rate within the day. Ofgem's average is useful as a reference; your own bill provides a better figure for a personalised calculation.
Fixed and variable electricity tariffs
On a variable/default tariff, unit rates may change when tariff or price-cap rates change. A fixed tariff generally agrees a unit price for a specified period, subject to its terms. Fixed-tariff customers should use their supplier's rate, not automatically substitute the Ofgem average. A fixed unit price does not make every bill identical: consumption still matters.
Economy 7 and time-of-use tariffs
Economy 7, day/night tariffs and smart time-of-use tariffs can charge different prices at different times. One rate may not represent every appliance session. Check your supplier's actual time windows rather than assuming all overnight hours are off-peak.
For a session entirely within an off-peak period, use that rate. If use spans different periods, calculate the energy consumed in each portion at its applicable price, then add the costs. Splitting by time alone is only representative when power draw stays reasonably steady.
Electricity unit rate examples
These examples use assumed energy consumption and 26.11p/kWh. They are illustrations, not measured costs for every appliance.
- Washing machine: 0.75 kWh × 26.11p/kWh = 19.5825p, approximately 19.6p or about 20p per wash. Enter your programme's consumption in the washing machine calculator.
- Electric heater: 2 kW × 1 hour = 2 kWh; 2 × 26.11p = 52.22p. Thermostatically controlled heating may not draw maximum power continuously. Adjust the inputs in the electric heater calculator to reflect your use.
- Gaming PC: 450 W = 0.45 kW; 0.45 × 4 hours = 1.8 kWh; 1.8 × 26.11p = 46.998p, approximately 47p. Use realistic average system draw in the gaming PC calculator.
Common electricity-rate mistakes
- Pounds instead of pence: enter 26.11, not 0.2611, when asked for p/kWh.
- Standing charge as unit rate: p/day belongs to the supply charge, not consumption.
- Using the gas rate: check the electricity section of a dual-fuel bill.
- Assuming everyone pays the average: replace the reference figure with your own tariff.
- Ignoring multiple rates: match Economy 7 or time-of-use prices to the session.
- Keeping an old rate: check when a tariff change takes effect before calculating future use.
When should you update your electricity rate?
Check when your supplier announces a price change, your fixed tariff ends, you change supplier or tariff, or you move home and receive a different tariff. Review price-cap changes if your default tariff is affected. You can enter your own rate at any time; there is no need to wait for EnergyCalc UK to update its default.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current UK electricity unit rate?
For July–September 2026, the Ofgem average is 26.11p/kWh for standard variable/default Direct Debit tariffs in England, Scotland and Wales. It is the current calculator reference rate, not a single price for every UK household.
Is 26.11p/kWh what everyone in the UK pays?
No. Household tariffs differ, and these Ofgem averages cover England, Scotland and Wales. Customers in Northern Ireland should also use their own supplier's electricity rate rather than treating this reference as their tariff.
What will the electricity unit rate be from October 2026?
The announced average is 26.32p/kWh for October–December 2026 on the same Direct Debit basis. Your supplier's notice gives the rate applicable to your own account and its start date.
Does the electricity unit rate include the standing charge?
No. The unit rate prices each kWh consumed; the standing charge is a separate daily amount. Keep them separate when estimating an appliance's electricity use.
Should I use my supplier's rate or the EnergyCalc UK default?
Use your supplier's applicable rate whenever available. The default helps you make an initial estimate, but cannot account for your particular tariff or changes to it.
What rate should I use on Economy 7?
Use the rate for the time the appliance runs. For sessions crossing peak and off-peak periods, price each portion separately using the relevant energy consumption and unit rate.
Does an electricity price cap mean my total bill is capped?
No. The cap limits rates on covered tariffs, not your total spending regardless of use. Consuming more electricity increases the usage part of your bill, and daily standing charges also contribute.
Why might my electricity rate differ from the Ofgem average?
Your region, payment arrangement, meter and tariff can produce a different rate. A fixed deal or time-of-use tariff may also differ from the published default-tariff reference.
Use your rate in our electricity cost calculators
Enter your own unit rate in our electricity cost calculators. You also need appliance energy consumption: our guide to finding appliance energy usage helps you choose the right figure for an estimate.