Want to estimate your electricity bill before it arrives? If you know your units, you can calculate an approximate amount in a few steps. Rates change through official notifications, so use the current tariff for your company and category; the method stays the same.
A real bill, step by step
Here is how an actual protected domestic bill of 199 units added up (figures as printed on the bill):
- Total electricity charges: Rs 6,644
- Government subsidy: − Rs 3,990
- Net electricity charges: Rs 2,654
- Taxes: + Rs 518
- Current bill: Rs 3,172
- FPA (for 189 units of an earlier month): + Rs 466
- Payable within due date: Rs 3,638
If this household had used 201 units, it would have lost protected status for six months — a much bigger cost than the two extra units.
Step 1: Find your units
Units = present meter reading − previous reading. Take a photo of the meter on your billing date each month.
Step 2: Know your category
- Lifeline (very low consumption)
- Protected (200 units or less in each of the last six months)
- Unprotected (above 200 units in any of the last six months)
- TOU (peak/off-peak) for 5 kW or higher loads and most businesses
Step 3: Apply the tariff rate
For protected consumers, lower slabs are applied step by step — for example, the first 100 units at one rate, the next 100 at another rate.
For unprotected consumers, higher slab rates apply and, at higher consumption levels, the slab rate can apply to a large share of your units. Use the official tariff schedule to find the rate for your slab.
For TOU meters: peak units × peak rate + off-peak units × off-peak rate.
Step 4: Add fixed charges
Some categories pay a monthly fixed charge based on sanctioned load or maximum demand. Check your previous bill to see if this applies to you.
Step 5: Add adjustments
- FPA: rate per unit × units of the reference month.
- QTA: rate per unit × current units, if applicable.
Step 6: Add taxes
- GST — commonly 18% of the taxable value.
- Income tax / extra tax / further tax — mainly for commercial and industrial consumers.
Step 7: Add arrears or installments
Anything unpaid from previous months is added at the end.
Worked example (illustrative rates)
A household uses 250 units, is unprotected, and the applicable slab rate is Rs 40 per unit (example only).
- Cost of electricity: 250 × 40 = Rs 10,000
- FPA: Rs 1.50 × 250 = Rs 375
- Subtotal: Rs 10,375
- GST at 18%: about Rs 1,868
- Estimated total: about Rs 12,243
Your real bill will differ based on actual rates, adjustments and rules.
Tips
- Recalculate whenever NEPRA announces new tariffs or FPA.
- Watch the 200-unit line carefully — it is often the most expensive boundary to cross.