Prepaid electricity calculator: units for your rands
Type what you want to spend and see the units you will get, or type the units you need and see the cost. Results update as you type.
Your details
Units you get
185.0 kWh
- Average price per kWh
- R2.70
How we worked it out
- Amount spentR500.00
- 184.98 kWh at 270.3 c/kWhR500.00
- Units you get185.0 kWh
Eskom prepaid prices for 2026/27
| Tariff | c/kWh excl. VAT | c/kWh incl. VAT | R500 buys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom Homelight 20A | 235.04 | 270.30 | 185.0 kWh |
| Eskom Homelight 60A | 298.79 | 343.61 | 145.5 kWh |
These prices apply to Eskom direct customers from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Homelight has no fixed daily charge, so every rand goes on units.
How the calculation works
- Units for your money: rand amount × 100 ÷ price in cents per kWh. For example R500 ÷ 2.7030 = 185.0 kWh.
- Cost of units: kWh × price in cents ÷ 100.
- Block tariffs: units are priced block by block, starting from the units you have already bought this month.
If your municipality supplies your electricity
Choose "My own tariff" and enter the price per unit from your token slip or your municipality's tariff list. If the price changes after a set number of units each month, tick the two-block option. Some municipalities also take a fixed charge from your first purchase each month; that is not included here.
Frequently asked questions
How many units do I get for R100?
On Eskom Homelight 20A (270.30 c/kWh incl. VAT) R100 buys about 37.0 kWh. On Homelight 60A (343.61 c/kWh) it buys about 29.1 kWh. Municipal tariffs differ.
Why do I get fewer units later in the month?
Many municipalities use block (stepped) tariffs: the first units each month are cheaper and the price goes up once you pass a limit. Eskom's Homelight tariff has a single price, so units cost the same all month.
Who sets the price of electricity?
NERSA (the National Energy Regulator of South Africa) approves Eskom's tariffs and each municipality's electricity tariffs. Eskom's new prices start on 1 April; municipal prices usually change on 1 July.
Does the price include VAT?
Yes. The tariffs used here include 15% VAT, which is what you pay when you buy a prepaid token.