Octopus Tariff Comparison (UK)
If you’ve ever looked at an Octopus tariff page and thought “I have no idea what this means for my bill,” you’re not alone. Tariffs typically quote two main numbers: the unit rate (pence per kWh) and the standing charge (pence per day). Your total annual cost depends on both, plus your usage. That’s why comparing tariffs properly isn’t just about finding the lowest unit rate.
In the UK, electricity pricing is also region-specific. The same product name can have different regional tariff codes depending on your grid supply point (GSP) area. In practice, that means your postcode matters when you’re comparing real costs. A comparison that ignores region can be directionally useful, but it may not reflect what you’ll actually pay.
What you should compare
- Unit rate (p/kWh): what you pay for each kWh you consume.
- Standing charge (p/day): a fixed daily cost, even if you use no electricity.
- Your usage profile: the same tariff can be “best” for one household and not for another.
A simple way to estimate annual cost
A practical estimate uses a straightforward formula:
This won’t capture every nuance (like time-of-use rates or export credits), but it’s a strong baseline for comparing typical domestic electricity tariffs using published rates.
Compare tariffs using live Octopus rates
The fastest way to get clarity is to calculate your estimated annual cost using your postcode and monthly kWh. Our calculator fetches live Octopus unit rates and standing charges via the official API, then compares multiple tariffs side-by-side.
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