ZESCO units chart for 2026 - here is exactly how many prepaid electricity units you get for K50, K100, K200, K500, and K1,000 at the current residential block tariff (Band 1 K0.42, Band 2 K1.19, Band 3 K2.89, Band 4 K4.12 per unit). The chart below assumes a first purchase of the month, starting from the cheapest band. Use our ZESCO calculator to check any amount or any starting point.
Units you get at common amounts
Amount Spent | Total Units | Band Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
K42 | 100 units | All in Band 1 (K0.42/unit) |
K50 | 119 units | 100 at K0.42 + 19 at K1.19 |
K100 | 148.7 units | 100 at K0.42 + 48.7 at K1.19 |
K161 | 200 units | 100 at K0.42 + 100 at K1.19 |
K200 | 213.5 units | 100 at K0.42 + 100 at K1.19 + 13.5 at K2.89 |
K500 | 317.4 units | 100 at K0.42 + 100 at K1.19 + 117.4 at K2.89 |
K739 | 400 units | 100 at K0.42 + 100 at K1.19 + 200 at K2.89 |
K1,000 | 463.3 units | 100 at K0.42 + 100 at K1.19 + 200 at K2.89 + 63.3 at K4.12 |
Maximising your units per Kwacha
K42 is the amount needed to fill the first (cheapest) band entirely - 100 units at K0.42 each. If your household uses less than 100 units per month, you are paying the lowest possible rate for every unit.
Typical low-consumption households (lights, phone charging, small TV) use around 50-100 units per month, meaning they can stay entirely within this lifeline band.
Why K500 buys less than you expect
If electricity were K0.42 per unit across the board, K500 would buy 1,190 units. But because of the block tariff, K500 only buys about 317 units. The first 200 units are relatively cheap (K161 total), but the remaining K339 only buys 117 more units at the third band rate of K2.89/unit.
If it is not your first purchase of the month
The tables above assume you are starting fresh at the beginning of the month. If you have already bought electricity this month, your new purchase continues from wherever your consumption left off.
For example, if you already bought 150 units earlier in the month and now buy K100 more:
You have already used 150 units (100 at Band 1 + 50 at Band 2)
Your next 50 units are still in Band 2 at K1.19 = K59.50
The remaining K40.50 buys 14 units at Band 3 (K2.89)
Total: 64 units for K100 (instead of 148.7 if it were your first purchase)
This is why you get fewer units later in the month - your cumulative consumption has pushed you into the more expensive bands.
Frequently asked questions
Why is electricity more expensive at the end of the month?
It is not actually more expensive at the end of the month in calendar terms. It feels more expensive because your cumulative consumption has pushed you into higher tariff bands. The bands reset on the 1st, so your first purchase of a new month always starts at the cheapest rate.
Can I check which tariff band I am currently in?
ZESCO does not provide a direct way to check your current band online. However, you can estimate it by adding up all the units you have purchased this month. If the total is under 100, you are in Band 1. Between 100-200, Band 2. Between 200-400, Band 3. Above 400, Band 4.
For a full explanation of how the tariff system works, see our guide to ZESCO electricity calculation. For the complete rate table, see ZESCO tariff bands for 2026.