Ofgem price cap April 2026 unit rates by region
See how the April 2026 Ofgem price cap (the default tariff cap) is set up in Great Britain, why rates differ by region, and how to check what you’re likely to pay on your meter and payment method.
- Understand regional differences (electricity distribution & gas network areas)
- Compare direct debit vs prepayment vs standard credit (where relevant)
- Use realistic examples to estimate monthly costs from unit rates + standing charges
Applies to Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales). Northern Ireland has a different energy market and is not covered by Ofgem’s cap.
Fast answer: what are the April 2026 Ofgem price cap unit rates by region?
Ofgem sets a maximum for default tariff prices (often called the “price cap”) for each region in Great Britain. It is made up of:
- Electricity unit rate (pence per kWh) + electricity standing charge (pence per day)
- Gas unit rate (pence per kWh) + gas standing charge (pence per day)
Important: April 2026 cap figures are published by Ofgem close to the period start. This guide explains how regional unit rates work and how to interpret them. For the exact rates in your region, use Ofgem’s published tables once available and cross-check your bill’s “tariff information label”.
Key takeaways (UK-specific)
Region matters
Your cap rates depend on your electricity distribution region and gas network area, which are linked to your postcode.
Payment method can change the cap
Ofgem publishes separate cap levels for direct debit, prepayment (incl. smart prepay) and standard credit in many cases.
It’s not a promise of a “typical bill”
Your cost depends on how many kWh you use. The cap limits unit rates and standing charges, not your total spend.
Estimate what the cap could mean for your home (with examples)
If you know your region, payment method and your home’s usage (kWh), you can estimate an annual or monthly cost:
Electricity estimate (per year)
(electricity unit rate × annual kWh) + (electricity standing charge × 365)
Gas estimate (per year)
(gas unit rate × annual kWh) + (gas standing charge × 365)
Scenario 1: small flat, electric-only (illustrative)
Assumptions (example numbers to show the method):
- Annual electricity use: 1,800 kWh
- No gas supply
- Illustrative electricity unit rate: 26.00p/kWh
- Illustrative electricity standing charge: 55.00p/day
Estimated annual electricity cost = (1,800 × £0.26) + (365 × £0.55) = £468 + £200.75 = £668.75/year (~£55.73/month).
This is illustrative only. Plug in your region’s April 2026 unit rate/standing charge once Ofgem publishes them, plus your actual usage (from bills or your in-home display).
Scenario 2: 3-bed house, gas + electricity (illustrative)
Assumptions (example numbers to show the method):
- Annual electricity use: 3,100 kWh
- Annual gas use: 12,000 kWh
- Illustrative electricity unit rate: 27.50p/kWh; standing charge: 60.00p/day
- Illustrative gas unit rate: 6.90p/kWh; standing charge: 31.00p/day
Electricity = (3,100 × £0.275) + (365 × £0.60) = £852.50 + £219.00 = £1,071.50/year
Gas = (12,000 × £0.069) + (365 × £0.31) = £828.00 + £113.15 = £941.15/year
Total (illustrative) ≈ £2,012.65/year (~£167.72/month).
If you’re on an Economy 7 or other multi-rate meter, you’ll have separate day/night rates (and the calculation changes). See the FAQs below.
Quick reality checks before you compare
- Standing charges can be a large share for low-usage homes.
- Regional rates aren’t “better” or “worse” choices—your postcode determines them.
- The cap applies to default tariffs. Fixed deals can be above or below it.
Compare tariffs (whole of market)
Tell us a few details and we’ll show available deals for your home. It’s designed to be quick, with clear next steps.
Tip: Have a recent bill handy. The “Tariff Information Label” shows your current unit rate(s), standing charge, and payment method—useful for a like-for-like comparison.
Regional unit rates: what changes and what stays the same
Under the price cap, your region affects the maximum allowed charges because network costs vary across Great Britain. What you can do: check your region, then compare your current tariff against alternatives.
Looking for the exact April 2026 figures? Ofgem publishes a table of unit rates and standing charges by region for each payment method. Use Ofgem’s official release for the most accurate numbers. Source: Ofgem energy price cap.
How to read the regional table (template)
| Region (example) | Payment method | Elec unit (p/kWh) | Elec standing (p/day) | Gas unit (p/kWh) | Gas standing (p/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your region | Direct debit | Published by Ofgem | Published by Ofgem | Published by Ofgem | Published by Ofgem |
| Your region | Prepayment | Published by Ofgem | Published by Ofgem | Published by Ofgem | Published by Ofgem |
| Your region | Standard credit | Published by Ofgem | Published by Ofgem | Published by Ofgem | Published by Ofgem |
Note: Ofgem’s published tables may separate single-rate and multi-rate electricity (e.g., Economy 7). Always match the table to your meter type.
Decision checklist: who this guide helps most
This will suit you if…
- You’re on a standard variable or other default tariff and want to sense-check rates
- You’ve moved home and need to understand why your rates differ from your previous address
- You want to compare fixed deals against a known reference point (the cap)
- You’re unsure how standing charges affect low usage
This may not be enough on its own if…
- You have Economy 7 / multi-rate electricity (you’ll need day/night rates)
- You’re on heat network supplies (separate regulation and pricing structures)
- You’re in Northern Ireland (different market and regulators)
- You’re comparing tariffs with complex features (bundles, rewards, tracker products) — check full terms
Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls (so you don’t compare the wrong thing)
1) “Typical bill” confusion
The cap is not a fixed annual bill. If you use more energy, you pay more. Use your kWh from bills to estimate.
2) Standing charges can dominate
Low-usage homes can see a big share of costs from standing charges. Compare both unit rates and standing charges.
3) Meter type mismatches
Single-rate vs Economy 7 vs smart time-of-use tariffs change the calculation. Match comparisons to your meter setup.
4) Payment method differences
Direct debit, prepayment and standard credit may have different capped levels. Make sure you’re looking at the right column.
5) Fixed tariffs and exit fees
Fixed deals can include exit fees. Check before switching away, especially if you’re mid-contract.
6) Not all homes are covered
The cap covers standard domestic default tariffs in Great Britain. Some specialist arrangements are priced differently.
If you’re struggling to pay, you may be entitled to support from your supplier or independent guidance. See: Citizens Advice energy guidance and GOV.UK help with heating.
FAQs
- Does the Ofgem price cap apply to fixed tariffs?
- No. The cap applies to default tariffs (including standard variable tariffs) in Great Britain. Fixed tariffs are priced by suppliers and can be above or below the capped default tariff levels. Always check unit rates, standing charges and any exit fees.
- Why are unit rates different by region?
- A major driver is network costs, which vary between electricity distribution areas and gas transport regions. Ofgem sets region-specific caps so default tariff charges reflect these differences.
- Is April 2026 the same as the “spring price cap”?
- Yes—April to June is typically the spring cap period. Ofgem updates the cap periodically and publishes new unit rates/standing charges for each period.
- How do I find my Ofgem region?
- In practice, it’s linked to your postcode and your electricity network area. Your bill may show the region implicitly via your standing charge and tariff label. If you’re using Ofgem’s tables, match your supplier’s stated region or use the region mapping guidance Ofgem provides alongside the cap publication.
- Do smart meters change the price cap unit rates?
- Not by themselves. Smart meters can support different tariff types (including time-of-use), but the cap relates to default tariffs and is published by region and payment method. If you’re on a smart prepay tariff, make sure you’re looking at the prepayment cap figures.
- How do Economy 7 (day/night) rates work under the cap?
- Economy 7 usually has two electricity unit rates (day and night) plus a standing charge. Ofgem may publish separate cap values for multi-rate meters. To estimate your cost, you’ll need your split of day vs night kWh (from your meter readings or bill).
- If I’m on prepayment, will my rates be the same as direct debit?
- Not necessarily. Ofgem publishes cap levels by payment method and they can differ. Check the column for prepayment (including smart prepay if shown) for your region.
- Can my supplier charge above the cap?
- On a default tariff covered by the cap, suppliers must keep unit rates and standing charges at or below the cap levels for your region and payment method (subject to the cap rules). For fixed tariffs or specialist products, the cap may not apply in the same way—read the tariff terms and ask the supplier if unsure.
- Does the price cap apply in Northern Ireland?
- No. Northern Ireland has a different energy market and regulatory framework, so Ofgem’s Great Britain price cap does not apply.
Trust, methodology and sources
Page ownership
- Written by: EnergyPlus Editorial Team
- Reviewed by: Energy Specialist
- Last updated: February 2026
How we assess “unit rates by region”
We focus on how Ofgem publishes the cap: regional unit rates and standing charges by payment method and (where shown) meter type. We explain how to calculate estimated costs from kWh usage and flag where comparisons commonly go wrong.
Assumptions and limitations (read this if you’re using the examples)
- Examples are illustrative and use sample p/kWh and p/day figures to demonstrate the calculation method, not to claim April 2026 rates.
- We assume single-rate electricity unless stated otherwise. Economy 7/time-of-use requires separate rates and usage splits.
- Actual bills can differ due to VAT, billing periods (not exactly 30 days), and how suppliers present charges.
- The cap is for default tariffs in Great Britain; not all arrangements (e.g. some heat networks) map neatly onto the cap tables.
Primary sources we use (UK)
- Ofgem: Energy price cap (cap levels, methodology and regional tables)
- Citizens Advice: Energy supply and tariffs (consumer rights and support)
- GOV.UK: Energy collections (official policy and programmes)
Editorial promise: We avoid savings claims we can’t prove. Where we show numbers, we label them as estimates and explain the assumptions so you can swap in your own figures.
Ready to compare what you could pay in April 2026?
Use your postcode and details to view available domestic tariffs. You’ll see unit rates, standing charges and key terms—so you can decide with confidence.
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