How your electricity bill is calculated
Your electricity bill has one core component: the number of units (kWh) you consumed multiplied by the per-unit rate your state electricity board charges. One unit on your meter equals one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity.
If you consumed 250 units in a month at Rs 6.50 per unit, the energy charge is 250 × 6.50 = Rs 1,625. Your actual bill may be slightly higher once a fixed monthly charge, fuel surcharge adjustment and government cess are added.
Typical residential rates by state (indicative, 2026)
- Delhi: Rs 6.00 – 8.50 per unit (slab-based)
- Maharashtra (MSEDCL): Rs 5.50 – 9.50 per unit
- Uttar Pradesh: Rs 4.50 – 7.00 per unit
- Karnataka: Rs 4.10 – 7.50 per unit
- Tamil Nadu: Rs 3.00 – 6.50 per unit (subsidised for low usage)
- West Bengal: Rs 5.00 – 8.00 per unit
Rates change periodically. Always verify the latest tariff from your state electricity board or discom website.
Frequently asked questions
What is a slab rate?
Many states charge a lower rate for the first 100-200 units and a progressively higher rate as consumption increases. This calculator gives a flat-rate estimate. For exact slab-wise billing, check your state discom's tariff chart.
Does AC use more electricity than a fan?
Yes, significantly. A 1.5-ton split AC uses roughly 1.2-1.5 kWh per hour, while a ceiling fan uses about 0.075 kWh per hour. Running an AC for 8 hours uses about the same electricity as running a fan for 130 hours.
How do I check how many units I used?
Your electricity meter displays cumulative kWh. Note the reading on the 1st of the month and again on the last day; the difference is your monthly consumption. Many discoms also send SMS or app notifications with your reading.