About this calculator
Total cost = units (kWh) × tariff (R/kWh). Wh values are converted to kWh before pricing.
Electricity in South Africa is billed per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and the rate you pay depends on your municipality, your tariff structure and, in many areas, how many units you've already used in the month. This calculator gives you an instant estimate of total cost using the simple formula Total = Units (kWh) × Cost per kWh.
Most household tariffs are inclining block tariffs, meaning the per-kWh price rises once you exceed certain monthly thresholds. To get the most accurate result, use the average rate from your latest electricity bill or your municipality's published tariff schedule. As a rough guide, residential rates currently sit between roughly R2.50 and R4.00 per kWh in 2024/25.
Use this calculator to budget your monthly electricity, work out what a specific appliance costs to run (multiply its kW rating by the hours used to get kWh) or compare scenarios such as switching to gas, solar PV or a heat pump. Geysers, electric ovens, pool pumps and tumble dryers are typically the largest household consumers.
How to use it
- 1Enter the kWh used. From your meter reading or appliance rating × hours.
- 2Enter your tariff. Use the rand-per-kWh figure from your bill.
- 3Read the total cost. The cost in Rand for the consumption entered.