How your electricity bill is calculated
A domestic bill in Pakistan is built from a few parts. Knowing them makes it easy to check your own bill and see why two months with similar units can cost very different amounts.
- Energy charges: units used × the per-unit rate for your slab and category. This is usually the biggest part of the bill.
- Fixed charges: a monthly amount for domestic consumers that depends on the slab, shown on your bill.
- Fuel price adjustment (FPA): a per-unit charge or refund that reflects the actual cost of fuel used to generate power in an earlier month. It changes almost every month and can be positive or negative.
- Quarterly tariff adjustment (QTA): a per-unit adjustment decided each quarter.
- Taxes and duties: general sales tax, electricity duty, the PTV fee and other surcharges set by the government.
Protected vs non-protected consumers
This is the single biggest factor in your bill. A domestic consumer who has used 200 units or less in each of the last six months is treated as protected and pays much lower per-unit rates. Cross 200 units in even one month and you become non-protected for the next six months, even if your usage drops again. Lifeline consumers, with very low monthly use on a small sanctioned load, get the lowest rates of all.
Practical tip: if your usage sits close to 200 units, keeping it under that line every month, especially in summer, can save much more than the units themselves suggest, because crossing it moves you to higher rates for six months.
Domestic slab rates used by this calculator
The table below is generated from the same rates the calculator uses. They are base rates before FPA, QTA and taxes, and they apply under the uniform tariff to all government distribution companies and K-Electric. Rates change through NEPRA determinations and government notifications, so compare them with the per-unit rate printed on your latest bill.
| Category | Units | Rate (Rs/unit) | Fixed (Rs/month) |
|---|
For the official, current tariff schedule, see the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) website.
How to find the units on your bill
- Look at the meter reading section of your bill. It shows the previous reading and the present reading.
- Subtract the previous reading from the present one. The result is the units used this month, also printed as “Units consumed”.
- Check the last six months' units in the bill history table to see whether you are protected or non-protected.
- Note the FPA per unit if it is listed, and enter it in the calculator for a closer estimate.
To track usage mid-month, read your meter on the bill date and again a week later. Multiply the weekly units by roughly four to see where the month is heading before the bill arrives.
Realistic ways to lower your units
- Air conditioners: the largest summer load in most homes. A higher thermostat setting, clean filters and closing doors and curtains on sunny sides make a real difference.
- Old fans and lights: replacing old ceiling fans and tube lights with efficient DC/inverter fans and LED lights reduces daily units.
- Water pumps and motors: run them at set times and fix leaks so they do not run longer than needed.
- Standby power: switch off UPS charging, TVs and chargers at the socket when not in use.
- Watch the 200-unit line if you are close to it, as explained above.
Frequently asked questions
Is this electricity bill calculator accurate?
It gives a close estimate when the rates match your bill. Actual bills can include arrears, income tax, late payment surcharge or one-off adjustments. You can edit every rate and tax in the calculator to match your own bill.
Does it work for LESCO, IESCO, MEPCO and K-Electric?
Yes. Domestic base rates are set under a uniform tariff for all distribution companies, so the same calculation applies. Monthly FPA and other adjustments can differ, so enter the FPA shown on your bill.
What is a protected consumer?
A domestic consumer who has used 200 units or less in each of the last six months. Protected consumers pay lower per-unit rates.
What is FPA on my bill?
Fuel price adjustment. It is a per-unit charge or refund based on the actual fuel cost of generating electricity in an earlier month, and it changes from month to month.
Why did my bill jump when my units only went up a little?
You probably crossed a slab boundary or the 200-unit protected limit. A higher slab or losing protected status raises the rate for many units, not just the extra ones.