Cap in force 1 October to 31 December 2026
UK Energy Price Cap: Current Rates and Cap History
From 1 October to 31 December 2026 the cap is £1,935 a year on the like-for-like usage basis used across this page, or £1,723 on Ofgem's current typical-use definition. It replaced the July to September 2026 cap of £1,862, or £1,663 on Ofgem's definition. The cap history chart below shows each period on a consistent basis.
Cap Oct to Dec 2026 (Ofgem measure: £1,723)
£1,935 / year
Change from July to September 2026
+£73 / year
Next announcement due
25 November 2026
Quick answer
- From 1 October to 31 December 2026 the cap is £1,935 a year on the like-for-like basis, or £1,723 on Ofgem's current typical-use measure.
- That is a 3.9% rise on the July to September 2026 cap of £1,862, or £1,663 on Ofgem's measure. Ofgem states the change as 4%, or £60 a year, on its own measure.
- If you pay a variable tariff, compare a fixed deal using your own usage.
- Ofgem publishes the January to March 2027 cap on 25 November 2026. Cornwall Insight's forecast of 26 August 2026 puts it at £2,107 like-for-like, or £1,872 on Ofgem's measure.
Source note
Source: Ofgem's October-December price-cap announcement · Cornwall Insight's final October forecast. Ofgem confirmed the October to December 2026 cap on 26 August at £1,935 a year on the like-for-like consumption basis, or £1,723 on its current typical-use definition. Gas bills rise about 8% while homes with no gas see under 1%. The figure already includes the VAT cut on electricity, which Ofgem says would otherwise have added around £45. Your own bill depends on your actual kWh usage.
Trend view
Energy price cap history: every cap level since 2021, charted
This chart plots every confirmed Ofgem cap level since 2021 on one consistent consumption basis, so each quarter is comparable with the last. The October 2026 cap is now confirmed and included. Forecast values, when any are published, are marked separately from confirmed ones.
Range
Forecast view
Confirmed cap (Ofgem)
Latest forecast (Cornwall Insight)
Selected point
Jan-Mar 2027 (forecast)
£2,107.43
Cornwall Insight • source date 26 Aug 2026
Forecast cap (Cornwall Insight)
£2,107.43
Published 26 Aug 2026
Ofgem announcement window
25 Nov 2026
Ofgem publishes the January-March 2027 cap on this date.
Cap period starts
1 Jan 2027
New cap rates for default tariffs apply from this date.
Renewal window
1 Nov 2026
If your fixed deal ends this winter, compare options 30 to 60 days before renewal.
Use range, pan, and zoom controls to inspect previous cap periods. Confirmed values are marked separately from forecasts.
Next cap: Cornwall Insight's forecast of 26 August 2026 puts January to March 2027 at £2,107 a year on the like-for-like basis plotted above, or £1,872 on Ofgem's current measure. Ofgem publishes the confirmed cap on 25 November 2026. Read our January 2027 forecast.
View every confirmed price cap as a table
Figures use the previous typical-consumption basis for comparison. The 2022-23 cap level was not necessarily the amount households paid because the Energy Price Guarantee also applied. The October to December 2026 figure applies from 1 October to 31 December 2026.
| Cap period | Typical annual cost | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Oct-Dec 2021 | £1,277 | Ofgem |
| Jan-Mar 2022 | £1,277 | Ofgem |
| Apr-Jun 2022 | £1,971 | Ofgem |
| Jul-Sep 2022 | £1,971 | Ofgem |
| Oct-Dec 2022 | £3,549 | Ofgem |
| Jan-Mar 2023 | £4,279 | Ofgem |
| Apr-Jun 2023 | £3,280 | Ofgem |
| Jul-Sep 2023 | £2,074 | Ofgem |
| Oct-Dec 2023 | £1,834 | Ofgem |
| Jan-Mar 2024 | £1,928 | Ofgem |
| Apr-Jun 2024 | £1,690 | Ofgem |
| Jul-Sep 2024 | £1,568 | Ofgem |
| Oct-Dec 2024 | £1,717 | Ofgem |
| Jan-Mar 2025 | £1,738 | Ofgem |
| Apr-Jun 2025 | £1,849 | Ofgem |
| Jul-Sep 2025 | £1,720 | Ofgem |
| Oct-Dec 2025 | £1,755 | Ofgem |
| Jan-Mar 2026 | £1,758 | Ofgem |
| Apr-Jun 2026 | £1,641 | Ofgem |
| Jul-Sep 2026 (equivalent consumption) | £1,862 | Ofgem |
| Oct-Dec 2026 (equivalent consumption) | £1,935 | Ofgem |
What should you do now?
Your next step depends on your tariff status. Pick the path that matches your bill today.
You are on a standard variable tariff (SVT)
Your rates follow the cap, which resets on 1 October 2026 and again on 1 January 2027. Compare against a fixed deal on your own usage if certainty matters to you this winter.
You are fixed, but your deal ends soon
If your fixed term ends in the next three months, line up your next tariff before you roll onto a capped variable rate.
You are fixed with exit fees
Do not switch blindly. Compare exit fees against projected savings on your real kWh usage before moving early.
Want a structured answer instead of a rule of thumb?
Answer three questions about your tariff, renewal timing and payment method, and get a clear stay-or-switch steer with the reasoning shown.
Key dates to act on
26 August 2026
October cap confirmed
Ofgem published the confirmed cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026: £1,935 like-for-like, or £1,723 on its current typical-use measure.
1 October 2026
New cap period starts
Default-tariff unit rates and standing charges reset. VAT on domestic electricity drops to 0% the same day.
25 November 2026
Next cap announcement
Ofgem's timetable sets this date to publish the cap for January to March 2027, typically the most expensive quarter of the year.
1 January 2027
Next cap period starts
Default-tariff rates move to the January to March 2027 cap. If a fixed deal ends around then, line up your next tariff first.
What this can mean for different households
Illustrative impact of the confirmed 3.9% like-for-like increase applied to your annual energy spend. The real split is uneven: gas rises about 8% while electricity stays broadly flat, so a gas-heated home sees more than this and an all-electric home sees far less.
| Household profile | Baseline spend | Annual change | Monthly change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower-use household | Around £1,350/year before October | +£53/year | +£4/month |
| Typical household | £1,862/year before October | +£73/year | +£6/month |
| Higher-use household | Around £2,450/year before October | +£96/year | +£8/month |
These are directional examples, not personal quotes. Your actual bill depends on your tariff, meter type, region, standing charge, and real kWh usage.
Your bill, not the average
Check your own tariff against the cap
The cap limits unit rates and standing charges, and every annual figure on this page is for a typical household. Upload a recent bill in the Taupia app: it reads your real unit rates and standing charges, shows whether you are on a default tariff, and compares live deals on your own usage. Taupia adds no premium to your provider bill, and nothing changes unless you approve it.
What the October 2026 cap means for you
The price cap is a limit on unit rates and standing charges for default tariffs, not a cap on your final bill total. Your usage, region, payment method and meter type still shape what you actually pay.
From 1 October 2026 the typical annual figure is £1,935, up from £1,862 for July to September, on the like-for-like consumption measure used across this page. On Ofgem's current typical-use measure the same rates come to £1,723, up from £1,663. Ofgem describes that as a 4% rise worth £60 a year.
The change primarily matters if you are on a standard variable tariff, sometimes called a default tariff. If you are on an active fixed tariff, this cap change does not alter the unit rates in your fixed contract, though the VAT cut on electricity from 1 October applies whatever tariff you are on.
Should you compare tariffs or stay on the cap?
For variable-tariff customers, comparing is sensible when you want a clearer view of your winter costs, your household budget is tight, or a fixed deal is due to end soon. A forecast alone is not a reason to switch without checking the deal against your own use.
Start with the figures on your bill: annual gas and electricity use in kWh, current tariff, payment method, contract end date and any exit fee. Taupia can read those details and compare live options without asking you to guess from a national average.
Ofgem says a household energy switch should take up to five working days once you have chosen a supplier and provided the necessary information. You can also ask for a later switch date.
If you are fixed with an exit fee, compare that cost with any realistic saving before moving early. If you rent or share a home, first check that you are the named account holder or responsible for paying the supplier directly.
Why you will see two price-cap figures
In July 2026, Ofgem updated its Typical Domestic Consumption Values to reflect lower typical household energy use. That is why the July to September 2026 cap appears as £1,663 under the new typical-use definition and £1,862 under the previous one.
Ofgem publishes both for October: £1,723 under the current definition and £1,935 under the previous one, which it describes as the figure "if calculated against the old TDCV rate". They describe the same rates with different assumed annual usage.
Neither figure is a promise of what you personally will pay. The cap controls tariff rates rather than placing a ceiling on your household's total annual spend.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current UK energy price cap?
From 1 October to 31 December 2026, the cap is £1,935 a year on the previous typical-consumption basis, or £1,723 on Ofgem's current usage basis. Ofgem confirmed it on 26 August 2026. It replaced the July to September 2026 cap of £1,862, or £1,663. Both figures in each pair describe the same unit rates applied to different assumed usage. Your actual bill can be higher or lower.
Where can I see a graph of the energy price cap over time?
The interactive chart on this page plots every price cap period since 2021, including the current confirmed level and the latest announced change. It is updated on every Ofgem announcement day, so the history and the newest figure stay on one page.
How much did the October 2026 energy price cap rise?
Ofgem confirmed a 4% rise on 26 August 2026, worth about £60 a year on its own typical-use measure, taking the cap from £1,663 to £1,723. On the previous consumption measure the move is £1,862 to £1,935, a rise of £73 or 3.9%. Most of the increase is gas: gas bills rise about 8%, while households with no gas see less than 1%.
When is the next energy price cap announcement?
Ofgem's timetable sets 25 November 2026 as the date it publishes the cap for 1 January to 31 March 2027. The October to December 2026 rates apply from 1 October to 31 December 2026, and default tariffs move to the new cap on 1 January 2027.
Should I switch energy supplier because of the October cap?
Not automatically. If you are on a variable tariff, compare any fixed offer with your actual energy use, payment method and contract terms rather than with a national headline. Note that the cap figures are national averages and your regional rates differ. If you are already fixed, check your end date and exit fee first. Ofgem says a household switch should take up to five working days once the new supplier has the information it needs.
What is the forecast for the January 2027 energy price cap?
Cornwall Insight's forecast of 26 August 2026 puts the cap for 1 January to 31 March 2027 at £2,107 a year on the like-for-like basis, or £1,872 on Ofgem's current typical-use measure. Against the October to December 2026 cap that is a rise of £172 (8.9%) on the like-for-like basis and a rise of £149 (8.7%) on Ofgem's measure. It is a forecast, not a confirmed cap: Ofgem publishes the confirmed figure on 25 November 2026.
For a plain-English breakdown of the confirmed October figures, see our October 2026 price cap breakdown. For full frequently asked questions about switching, see our energy switching Q&A. Moving into a new home puts you on the existing supplier's deemed tariff, which the cap covers. See how the price cap applies when you move in.
Upload your energy bill
Taupia reads your usage, tariff and contract dates, then compares live options against your household profile rather than a generic price-cap headline.