Energy bill calculator
Written by James Whitfield · Last reviewed 29 October 2026
Enter your kWh to see your yearly gas and electricity bill at Ofgem's price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026, for your region and how you pay. The Great Britain average is 26.32p per kWh plus 54.83p a day for electricity, and 7.97p per kWh plus 29.68p a day for gas.
| Electricity: 2,500 kWh × 26.32p | £658.00 |
| Electricity standing charge: 365 days × 54.83p | £200.13 |
| Gas: 9,500 kWh × 7.97p | £757.15 |
| Gas standing charge: 365 days × 29.68p | £108.33 |
Great Britain average, Direct Debit, price cap 1 October to 31 December 2026. Using 10% less energy: £1,582 a year; 10% more: £1,865. VAT is already in Ofgem's rates (electricity 0% for now, gas 5%). A fixed tariff has its own rates: this is a comparison only.
How the bill is worked out
Each fuel costs the kWh you use times the unit rate, plus a daily standing charge for every day you are supplied. Ofgem caps both for standard variable tariffs, and they differ by region and by how you pay. The defaults here, 2,500 kWh of electricity and 9,500 kWh of gas a year, are Ofgem's typical use figures from 1 July 2026; at the Great Britain average Direct Debit rates they give £1,724 a year, Ofgem's typical bill of £1,723 before rounding.
Your bill shows your kWh. Smart meter apps and annual statements give a yearly figure; if you only have a month, choose "a month" and we multiply by 12, which overstates summer and understates winter.
Standing charges, VAT and what is changing
- Standing charges are paid even if you use nothing: £308.46 a year for both fuels at the Great Britain average.
- VAT on domestic electricity in Great Britain is temporarily 0% from 1 October 2026, and the Budget announced an extension to 30 June 2027 (announced, not yet law). Gas has 5% VAT. Ofgem's rates already include VAT, so nothing is added here.
- The Budget also announced plans to remove gas standing charges, aiming for the end of 2027. That is not in force, so gas standing charges are still included.
- The price cap does not apply in Northern Ireland.
Questions
How much is the average energy bill?
Ofgem's typical figure for 1 October to 31 December 2026 is £1,723 a year, for 2,500 kWh of electricity and 9,500 kWh of gas on Direct Debit. It is not a maximum: you pay for what you use.
How do I work out my electricity bill?
Multiply the kWh you used by your unit rate, then add the standing charge for each day. At the average cap rates, 2,500 kWh costs £658 plus £200 of standing charges a year.
Is VAT included in the price cap rates?
Yes. Electricity is at the temporary 0% rate and gas at 5%, already inside Ofgem's figures.
Sources
- Ofgem: Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges, 1 October to 31 December 2026 (checked 29 October 2026)
- Ofgem: Review of typical domestic consumption values (decision, May 2026) (checked 29 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: Breathing space on your energy bill (26 August 2026) (checked 29 October 2026)
- HM Treasury: Budget 2026 (checked 29 October 2026)
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