Electric Bill Calculator: Predict Your kWh Cost
Use this electric bill calculator to estimate your monthly utility cost from kWh usage and your power company's rate. The same electricity bill calculator math, with which appliance is driving the bill broken out.
kWh
$
$
%
Monthly bill$0.00
Annual cost$0
Cost per day$0.00
Effective per-kWh$0.00
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How this calculator works
Most utility bills follow this structure: a fixed monthly customer charge regardless of usage, plus a per-kWh rate for actual consumption, with sales or utility tax on top.
bill = (kWh × rate + fixed_fee) × (1 + tax%)
- kWh
- Kilowatt-hours used in the billing period — pull this from any recent bill
- rate
- Your utility's price per kWh. The U.S. residential average was ~$0.16/kWh in 2025; check EIA for your state.
- fixed_fee
- The "customer charge" or "delivery fee" line item — applies even at zero usage
If you have a tiered rate (e.g. PG&E in California) or time-of-use pricing, this calculator's flat-rate model under-estimates the highest tier by 10–30%. For an exact projection, use your utility's online portal.
Source: Per-state electricity rates — U.S. Energy Information Administration, Table 5.6.A. National retail price data published monthly.
FAQ
How do you calculate an electric bill?
Multiply your monthly kWh usage by your utility's per-kWh rate, add the fixed customer charge, then add sales/utility tax: bill = (kWh × rate + fixed) × (1 + tax%). For 900 kWh at $0.16/kWh, $12 customer charge, and 6% tax: ($144 + $12) × 1.06 = $165.36.
How do I find my per-kWh rate?
Look at your most recent electricity bill. Total cost (excluding the fixed customer charge) divided by total kWh used gives your effective per-kWh rate. Alternatively, your utility's website lists 'standard residential rates' or 'price-to-compare' figures.
What is the average electric bill in the US?
The EIA reports the US residential average at 855 kWh/month in 2024 — about $137/month at the national average rate of $0.16/kWh. The South averages higher (~1,000 kWh) due to AC; the Northeast lower (~600 kWh). Hawaii has the highest rates ($0.40+/kWh); Washington and Idaho the lowest (~$0.10/kWh).
Why is my actual bill higher than the calculator says?
Three common reasons: (1) tiered pricing pushes part of your usage into a higher rate, (2) you're on time-of-use and using power at peak hours, or (3) the bill includes franchise, environmental or 'rider' fees not in this calculator. To capture all three, simply use last month's actual bill total ÷ last month's kWh as your 'rate' input.
Does budget billing actually save money?
No. Budget billing (also called level pay) just averages your annual usage into 12 equal monthly installments. The total annual cost is unchanged — it only smooths cash flow. Useful if you're on a fixed income, but don't confuse it with cutting your actual usage.
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