Electricity Bill Calculator (2026)
Estimate your monthly electricity bill by state and kWh usage. Residential, commercial, and time-of-use modes. Pre-filled with March 2026 EIA rates.
US Average - Residential Mode
$171/month estimated
869 kWh x 18.56c = $161.29 + $10 fixed = $171.29
Annual cost
$2055
Daily cost
$5.71
vs US avg
+$21
Estimates use EIA Electric Power Monthly rates (March 2026), typical fixed charges, and approximate demand charges for commercial mode. Actual bills may vary based on rate schedule, tiers, seasonal adjustments, taxes, and utility-specific charges. Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the electricity bill calculator?+
The calculator uses EIA Electric Power Monthly average rates for each state, which represent the average across all utilities in that state. Actual bills may vary by 10-25% depending on your specific utility, rate plan (tiered, TOU, flat), local taxes, and seasonal adjustments. Use it as an estimate; your actual rate is shown on your bill or your utility's rate schedule page.
What is the difference between residential and commercial mode?+
Residential mode applies the EIA average residential rate for the selected state plus a typical $10/month fixed customer charge. Commercial mode uses the commercial rate (typically 15-20% lower per kWh) but adds a higher fixed charge and an approximate demand charge (the charge based on your peak kW demand, not just kWh). Commercial bills are often larger total even at lower per-kWh rates.
How does the time-of-use calculator work?+
TOU mode lets you set what percentage of your usage falls during peak hours (typically 4pm-9pm). Peak electricity costs $0.45-$0.65/kWh on California utilities; off-peak $0.20-$0.25/kWh. The calculator shows whether TOU saves or costs you money compared to a flat rate based on your usage pattern. If 60%+ of your usage is during peak hours, TOU may cost you more.
Why does my actual bill differ from this estimate?+
Electric bills include multiple line items beyond the base energy rate: delivery/distribution charges (separate from the generation/supply rate), fixed customer charges, state and local taxes, public-benefit program fees, energy efficiency program charges, and seasonal riders. The EIA rate used in this calculator is a blended effective rate that includes most of these components, but your specific utility may structure charges differently.
