The parts of a typical bill
Layouts differ from one utility to the next, but nearly every residential bill carries the same blocks. Here is what to look for and where you usually find it.
| Part of the bill | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Account and service address | Which meter and which home the bill covers. Check it if you have moved or have more than one account. |
| Billing period | The start and end dates, often 28 to 33 days. A longer period means more days of use and a higher total. |
| Meter readings | The previous and current readings. The difference, times any meter multiplier, is the kWh you used. An E or an A beside a reading usually means estimated or actual. |
| Usage in kWh | The amount of electricity you used in the period. This is the most important number on the bill. |
| Rate or tariff name | The price plan you are on, such as a standard residential rate, a time-of-use rate or a low-income rate. |
| Supply or generation charge | The cost of the electricity itself. |
| Delivery charges | The cost of moving power over poles and wires to your home. May appear as distribution, transmission or delivery. |
| Customer or service charge | A fixed monthly amount for being connected, whatever you use. |
| Riders and adjustments | Smaller line items for fuel costs, energy efficiency programs, storm costs and similar items. They change over time. |
| Taxes and fees | State and local taxes, franchise fees and surcharges. |
| Total due and due date | What you owe, and the date after which late fees or disconnection rules can start. |
How to find your real price per kWh
The rate quoted on a plan or a supplier ad is rarely the price you pay. Fixed charges, delivery and taxes all sit on top. To see the full cost of each unit of electricity:
- Take the total due.
- Take the kWh used in the same billing period.
- Divide the total by the kWh, then multiply by 100 to get cents per kWh.
Here is a worked example with made-up numbers. A bill totals $168.40 for 950 kWh. Dividing gives $0.1773 a kWh, or 17.7 cents. That is close to the 2025 US average of 17.23 cents, so the price is in the normal range. If the same $168.40 covered only 600 kWh, the price would be 28.1 cents, because the fixed charge and delivery would be a bigger share of each unit.
Compare your result with your state on the electricity rates by state page. The state figure is also an all-in price, because it is total residential revenue divided by total kWh sold.
Supply and delivery are different things
On many bills the total splits into two halves. Supply is the cost of generating or buying the electricity. Delivery is the cost of the lines, poles, meters and crews that bring it to you and keep it working.
In most of the country one utility handles both and you cannot change either. In a group of states with retail choice, you can pick a different company for supply while the local utility keeps delivering and keeps sending the bill. If your bill shows two company names, that is why. Your state page says whether choice is available.
Estimated reads and what to do about them
A utility sometimes cannot read a meter and prints an estimate based on past use. The next real reading corrects it, so an estimate that was too low is followed by a bill that catches up. If you see an estimate on two bills in a row, send the utility a photo of your meter and ask for a corrected bill. Homes with smart meters rarely get estimates.
Quick check for a surprise
What to do with what you find
- If your usage is high for your home, see why a bill is high and how to lower it.
- If your price is high, ask your utility whether a cheaper rate plan fits your habits. Time-of-use plans and budget billing are the common options.
- To see whether your bill is normal for your state and home, use the bill checker.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What does kWh used mean on my bill?
It is the amount of electricity you used during the billing period, in kilowatt-hours. One kWh is the energy a 1,000 watt device uses in one hour.
Why is my bill different when I used the same amount?
The billing period may be longer, the price may have changed, a rider may have moved, or the previous bill may have been estimated. Compare kWh, days and price per kWh with last year to find which one changed.
What is the difference between supply and delivery?
Supply is the cost of the electricity itself. Delivery is the cost of the wires, poles and crews that bring it to your home. In many places one utility charges both. Where retail choice exists, a separate supplier can sell you the supply.
How do I read my meter?
Digital meters show the total kWh on a screen that cycles through several displays. Older dial meters show five dials that you read from left to right. Take the reading at the same time each month if you want to track use yourself.