Updated: July 2026
In 2026, the K-Electric per unit price for home users runs from about Rs 3.95 per unit for the lowest lifeline slab up to roughly Rs 47 per unit in the highest usage slab. Protected consumers who stay under 200 units a month pay far less, around Rs 10.54 to Rs 13.01 per unit. These are the base energy rates set under NEPRA’s tariff for K-Electric, and your final rate per unit is higher once fuel and tax charges are added. Always confirm the exact figure on your latest bill, because monthly fuel adjustments change it.
K-Electric (KE) is the private utility that supplies Karachi and nearby towns. If you just want to see your current amount and units, you can check your K-Electric bill online in a minute, then come back here to understand the rates. This page explains the slab structure, shows you how to turn units into rupees, and lists real ways to bring the bill down.
Once you know your amount, the next step is usually paying it. Our guide on K-Electric bill payment online covers the fastest options. You can also check any bijli bill online for other providers on the same site.
K-Electric Electricity Rates 2026
K-Electric uses slabs. The more units you use in a month, the higher the rate on the extra units. Home users split into two main groups: protected consumers (under 200 units a month for the past six months) and non-protected consumers (above that).
The table below shows the base energy rates under the K-Electric tariff 2026. Fixed charges apply on some slabs. These rates do not yet include fuel adjustment, taxes, or duties, which we cover further down.
| Consumer type | Slab (units/month) | Rate Rs/unit | Fixed charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifeline | Up to 50 | 3.95 | None |
| Lifeline | 51 – 100 | 7.74 | None |
| Protected | 1 – 100 | 10.54 | Rs 200 |
| Protected | 101 – 200 | 13.01 | Rs 300 |
| Non-protected | 201 – 250 | 27.14 | Varies |
| Non-protected | 301 – 400 | 36.46 | Rs 400 |
| Non-protected | 401 – 500 | 38.95 | Rs 500 |
| Non-protected | Above 700 | 47.20 | Higher fixed charge |
A few slabs in the middle (such as 1-100 and 101-200 in the non-protected group, plus 501-700) sit between these figures. If your usage falls in a gap, confirm the exact rate on your latest bill. These rates reflect NEPRA’s tariff decision for K-Electric in effect during 2026, and NEPRA can revise them at a rebasing or quarterly review, so treat them as current-year figures rather than fixed forever.
One important point about protected status. If you cross 200 units in any month, you can lose protected status for the next six months and move to the much higher non-protected rates. That single jump is the biggest reason a K-Electric bill suddenly doubles.
How to Calculate Your K-Electric Bill from Units
You do not need a fancy k electric bill calculator to get close. Here is the simple method.
- Find your units used this month on the bill (the “Units Consumed” figure).
- Decide your category: protected (under 200 units) or non-protected (over 200).
- Apply the slab rate to your units to get the energy cost.
- Add the fixed charge for your slab.
- Add fuel cost adjustment (FCA), usually a few rupees per unit.
- Add electricity duty, GST at 18%, and the TV licence fee.
- That total is roughly your current bill.
Worked Example for 300 Units (Approximate)
Say a non-protected home uses 300 units in a month. This is a rough guide, not an exact bill.
- Energy cost: 300 units at roughly Rs 34-36 per unit for this usage band works out to about Rs 10,200 to Rs 10,800.
- Fixed charge: around Rs 400.
- Fuel cost adjustment: about Rs 4.5 per unit, so roughly Rs 1,350.
- Subtotal before tax: around Rs 12,000.
- GST at 18% on the taxable amount: roughly Rs 2,100.
- Electricity duty and TV fee: a few hundred rupees more.
That lands the bill near Rs 14,000 to Rs 15,000. Your real bill can differ because the middle-slab rate and the fuel adjustment change month to month. Use this only to sense-check, then trust the figure printed on your bill.
Notice how much cheaper the same home would be if it stayed under 200 units. That is the heart of managing bijli ka bill in Karachi: usage decides which slab you land in, and the slab decides the rate.
Extra Charges on Your Bill
The per unit rate is only part of the story. These extra lines are added to almost every K-Electric bill.
Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA): This reflects the actual fuel cost of generating power. It changes every month and can be positive or negative. In 2026 it has sat around a few rupees per unit, but it swings, so check the current figure on your bill.
Quarterly Tariff Adjustment (QTA): NEPRA reviews costs every quarter and can add or subtract a small per-unit amount for a set period. This appears as a separate line.
Electricity Duty: A provincial charge, usually a small percentage of the energy cost.
GST (General Sales Tax): Charged at 18% on the energy and fixed charges. This is often the single biggest add-on.
TV Licence Fee: A flat fee (commonly Rs 35 for home users) collected on behalf of PTV.
Meter Rent: A small monthly rent where it applies.
Together these can add 25% or more on top of the base energy cost, which is why the effective price you pay per unit is higher than the slab rate alone.
Why Did My K-Electric Bill Increase This Month?
If your k electric unit rate today feels higher than last month, one of these is usually the reason.
You crossed a slab boundary. Going from 199 to 210 units can push you into non-protected rates on all your units, not just the extra ones. The jump is large.
Fuel cost adjustment rose. When global fuel prices climb, the FCA line goes up, and it applies to every unit you used.
Quarterly adjustment kicked in. A new QTA can add a few rupees per unit for a few months.
Summer AC load. More units in June to September naturally push you into a higher slab. This is the most common cause in Karachi.
Peak-hour usage. If you are on a time-of-use meter, running heavy appliances in the evening peak costs more per unit.
If the jump looks wrong, compare your units to the same month last year first. If units are similar but the amount is much higher, the cause is usually the fuel adjustment or a slab change, not a meter fault. You can review the breakdown any time when you check your K-Electric bill online.
Peak and Off-Peak Timings (Time of Use)
Many K-Electric homes with higher usage are on a Time of Use (TOU) meter. This meter charges a higher rate during evening peak hours and a lower rate the rest of the day.
Typical peak hours are around 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM from April to October, and about 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM from November to March. During peak, the rate can be near Rs 42 per unit for non-protected users, while off-peak sits closer to Rs 30 per unit. Confirm your own peak window and the current TOU rates on your bill, since both the timings and the rates can shift.
The lesson is simple. Run heavy loads like the washing machine, iron, and water pump outside the evening peak. You will use the same units but pay the lower off-peak rate on them.
How to Lower Your K-Electric Bill
You cannot change the tariff, but you can change how many units you use and when. Here are practical steps that work in Karachi homes.
- Watch the 200-unit line. If you are close, small savings can keep you in the protected slab and cut your rate by more than half. This one move beats all the others.
- Shift heavy loads off-peak. Iron clothes, run the washing machine, and fill the water tank before the evening peak window.
- Set the AC to 26°C. Every degree lower adds noticeable units. At 26°C with a fan, most rooms stay comfortable.
- Service your AC and clean filters. A dirty filter makes the unit run longer for the same cooling.
- Switch to LED and inverter appliances. Inverter ACs and fridges draw far fewer units for the same output.
- Cut standby waste. Fully switch off TVs, chargers, and the water dispenser when not in use.
- Consider solar net metering. If your bills are high year-round, rooftop solar with K-Electric net metering can offset a large share of your daytime units. It is a bigger investment, but it pays back over time.
Small habits add up over a month. Even keeping usage 20 to 30 units lower can be the difference between two slabs and a real drop in bijli ki qeemat for your home.
FAQs
What is the K-Electric per unit price in 2026?
For home users it ranges from about Rs 3.95 per unit on the lowest lifeline slab to roughly Rs 47 per unit on the highest slab. Protected users under 200 units pay around Rs 10.54 to Rs 13.01. Fuel adjustment and taxes are added on top, so confirm your exact rate on your latest bill.
What is the difference between protected and non-protected consumers?
Protected consumers have stayed under 200 units a month for the past six months and get much lower rates. Non-protected consumers use more than that and pay higher per-unit rates. Crossing 200 units can move you to non-protected status for six months.
How is 1 unit bijli price different from what I actually pay?
One unit is one kilowatt-hour. The slab rate is the base price, but your real cost per unit is higher because fuel cost adjustment, electricity duty, and 18% GST are added. That is why the bill total works out above the simple units times slab rate.
Why is my summer K-Electric bill so much higher?
Air conditioners add many units, which can push you into a higher slab and even out of protected status. On top of that, summer fuel adjustments can be higher. Both effects together can make a July or August bill much larger than a winter one.
Does K-Electric charge peak and off-peak rates?
Yes, if you are on a Time of Use meter. Evening peak hours cost more per unit than the rest of the day. Running heavy appliances outside the roughly 6:00 to 10:30 PM peak window lowers what you pay for those units.
Where can I check my exact K-Electric rate and bill?
Your bill lists the exact slab, fuel adjustment, and taxes for the month. You can view and download it any time when you check your K-Electric bill online, which is the most reliable source for your current rate.