Sri Lanka Electricity Bill Calculator (CEB)
Estimate your Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) domestic electricity bill by entering the number of units (kWh) consumed this month. The calculator uses a tiered tariff structure where lower slabs attract lower rates. Rates shown are configured by the site administrator — always check the "Rates last updated" date and verify the current tariff at ceb.lk.
⚠️ These are placeholder rates. The site administrator must enter current CEB domestic tariff rates via Admin Settings. Always verify at ceb.lk before relying on results.
How It Works
CEB uses a tiered (block) tariff for domestic consumers. The key principle is that moving to a higher slab does NOT back-apply a higher rate to earlier units — each slab rate applies only to units consumed within that slab band.
How tiered billing works:
For each slab tier, you pay the slab rate only on the units that fall within that tier. Units above the slab boundary fall into the next (higher-rate) tier.
Example with placeholder rates (verify at ceb.lk):
Assume slabs: 0–30 units at LKR 2.50/unit, 31–60 units at LKR 5.00/unit, 61–90 units at LKR 7.50/unit, above 90 at LKR 15.00/unit. Fixed charge: LKR 30 per month.
If you use 75 units:
- First 30 units × LKR 2.50 = LKR 75.00
- Next 30 units (31–60) × LKR 5.00 = LKR 150.00
- Remaining 15 units (61–75) × LKR 7.50 = LKR 112.50
- Fixed charge = LKR 30.00
- Total = LKR 367.50
How to read your meter:
Your CEB meter shows cumulative kWh. Subtract last month's reading from this month's reading to get units consumed. One unit = one kilowatt-hour (kWh) = running a 100W bulb for 10 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the tiered billing work?
CEB charges different rates for different bands of consumption. The first band (e.g., 0–30 units) has the lowest rate, and each subsequent band has a higher rate. Crucially, only the units within a band are charged at that band's rate — it is not like a tax bracket where a higher tier applies to all units.
What is a fixed charge?
The fixed charge (also called service charge or customer charge) is a flat monthly fee you pay regardless of how many units you consume. It covers grid connection and meter maintenance costs. The applicable fixed charge may depend on your consumption slab.
How do I read my electricity meter?
For a digital meter, read the kWh display directly. For a dial meter, read each dial from left to right. Your monthly consumption = this month's reading minus last month's reading. Your CEB bill shows both readings and the calculated units.
Is there a difference for single phase and three phase connections?
CEB has different tariff categories for single-phase domestic (up to certain load) and three-phase connections. This calculator is designed for standard domestic single-phase consumers. Three-phase or industrial connections may have different tariff structures.
How can I reduce my electricity bill?
Keeping consumption within lower slab boundaries has a large impact because the rate increases significantly at each tier. Use energy-efficient LEDs, inverter air conditioners, and 5-star rated appliances. Running high-consumption appliances (water heater, iron) during off-peak hours can also help manage overall load.