Send to M‑Pesa (P2P) fees range from KES 0 to KES 108 depending on the amount band. Transfers of KES 1–100 to registered users are free.
M-Pesa Charges Calculator
Calculate exact M-Pesa transaction fees for Kenya (2025). Includes Send Money, Withdraw, PayBill, Buy Goods (Till), and Fuliza.
2025 Rates
Last verified: Today
Send Money Calculator
Calculate charges for sending money from one M-Pesa account to another
M‑Pesa Tariff Tables
Switch tabs to see full published charges for each transaction type. Excise duty, where applicable, is applied to fees.
Send to M‑Pesa (P2P)
| Amount (KES) | Fee (KES) |
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Send to other networks
| Amount (KES) | Fee (KES) |
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Agent withdrawals
| Amount (KES) | Fee (KES) |
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ATM withdrawals
| Amount (KES) | Fee (KES) |
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PayBill — Mgao tariff
| Band (KES) | Business | Customer | Total |
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PayBill — Business tariff (customer pays)
| Band (KES) | Business | Customer | Total |
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PayBill — Customer tariff (business pays)
| Band (KES) | Business | Customer | Total |
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Buy Goods (Till)
Pochi la Biashara
Uses the same sending bands as “Send to M‑Pesa”. Charges follow the standard P2P tariff.
How This M-Pesa Calculator Works
Understanding the step-by-step process of calculating M-Pesa transaction fees in Kenya
Step 1: Select Transaction Type
Choose from Send Money (P2P), Withdraw (Agent or ATM), PayBill, Buy Goods (Till), or Fuliza Loan. Each transaction type has different fee structures and tariff bands. The calculator uses official Safaricom rates for 2025 to ensure accuracy.
Step 2: Enter Transaction Amount
Input the amount you want to send or withdraw in Kenya Shillings (KES). The calculator automatically identifies which tariff band your amount falls into. Different bands have different fees—small amounts may be free while larger amounts incur higher charges.
Step 3: Calculate Fees and Excise
Click "Calculate Charges" to see the base M-Pesa fee for your transaction. The calculator then applies Kenya's 20% excise duty on the fee amount (not on the principal), but only for transactions that have a base fee. FREE transactions (like Send Money KES 1-100 or Buy Goods) have no excise duty. The total charge is the sum of the base fee plus excise duty.
Step 4: Review Complete Breakdown
See the full cost breakdown including transaction amount, base fee, excise duty, total charges, and the effective rate (charges as a percentage of amount). For PayBill transactions, you'll also see a detailed breakdown of who pays what (customer vs business). You can print a receipt or share the calculation. The tariff band used is also displayed for transparency.
Understanding Your M-Pesa Results
What each fee component means and how to interpret your M-Pesa charges
Base Fee
The base fee is Safaricom's charge for processing your M-Pesa transaction. This varies by transaction type and amount band. For example, sending KES 1-100 to a registered M-Pesa user is free, while sending KES 70,001-150,000 costs KES 108 base fee.
Excise Duty (20%)
Kenya applies 20% excise duty on M-Pesa transaction fees. This is calculated on the base fee only, not on the amount you're sending or withdrawing. For example, if the base fee is KES 50, excise duty is KES 10 (20% of 50), making total charges KES 60.
Total Charges
The sum of base fee plus excise duty. This is the total amount deducted from your M-Pesa wallet for the transaction. When sending money, the recipient gets the full amount you specify—charges are deducted from your balance separately.
Effective Rate
Total charges expressed as a percentage of your transaction amount. This helps you understand the true cost. For example, KES 60 charges on a KES 5,000 transaction is a 1.2% effective rate. Smaller transactions typically have higher effective rates.
Tariff Band
M-Pesa uses tiered pricing where your amount determines which fee band applies. The calculator shows which band your transaction falls into (e.g., "5,001-10,000"). Understanding bands helps you optimize transaction sizes to minimize costs.
Transaction Limits
M-Pesa has limits: maximum wallet balance of KES 500,000, per-transaction limit of KES 250,000, and daily limit of KES 500,000. The calculator alerts you if your amount exceeds these limits. Registered users have higher limits than unregistered.
When to Use This M-Pesa Calculator
Common situations where knowing exact M-Pesa charges helps you make better financial decisions
1 Planning Large Transfers
Before sending large amounts, calculate the exact charges to budget accurately. For example, sending KES 100,000 costs KES 108 + excise, so you need KES 100,130 total in your wallet. Knowing this prevents failed transactions due to insufficient balance.
2 Comparing Withdrawal Options
Agent withdrawals and ATM withdrawals have different fee structures. Use the calculator to compare costs for your specific amount. ATM withdrawals are often cheaper for larger amounts, while agent withdrawals may be better for smaller sums.
3 Business Payment Planning
When paying suppliers via PayBill or Till, calculate charges in advance to ensure accurate invoicing and budgeting. Till payments are typically free for customers, while PayBill may have charges depending on the merchant's tariff structure.
4 Optimizing Transaction Sizes
By understanding tariff bands, you can optimize transaction amounts to minimize fees. For example, sending KES 70,000 costs the same as KES 150,000 (both in the same band), so consolidating transfers can save money on multiple transactions.
5 Budgeting Monthly Costs
Calculate your typical monthly M-Pesa usage costs by adding up charges for regular transactions. This helps you budget accurately and identify opportunities to reduce costs, such as withdrawing larger amounts less frequently.
6 Verifying Charges
Use the calculator to verify charges on your M-Pesa statement. If you see unexpected fees, calculate what they should be based on official rates. This helps you identify errors and ensures you're being charged correctly by Safaricom.
Official Data Sources
Our M-Pesa calculations use official 2026 Safaricom tariffs and Kenya Revenue Authority excise duty rates
- Safaricom M-Pesa Tariffs — Official M-Pesa transaction charges for Send Money, Withdraw, PayBill, Buy Goods (Till), and other services. Updated regularly by Safaricom to reflect current pricing for 2026.
- Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) — Administers excise duty on financial services in Kenya. The 20% excise duty on M-Pesa transaction fees is mandated by the Excise Duty Act, 2015 and applies to eligible mobile money transactions.
- Excise Duty Act, 2015 — Kenyan legislation establishing excise duty on fees charged for money transfer services by cellular phone service providers. The 20% rate applies to the fee amount, not the principal transferred.
- Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) — Regulates mobile money services in Kenya including M-Pesa. Sets consumer protection standards and transaction limits to ensure safe and fair mobile money operations.
- Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) — Oversees mobile money regulations and ensures financial stability. Publishes guidelines on mobile money services, transaction limits, and consumer rights for M-Pesa and other platforms.
- Last Verified: . We verify our M-Pesa tariffs against official Safaricom publications and KRA excise duty regulations. All rates and calculations are current for 2025.
M‑Pesa — FAQs
Key questions about 2025 M‑Pesa charges, excise duty and limits in Kenya.
Agent withdrawal fees range from KES 11 to KES 309, while ATM withdrawals range from KES 35 to KES 203 depending on the band.
Kenya applies 20% excise duty on M‑Pesa transaction fees, but only when there's a base fee. FREE transactions (Send Money KES 1‑100, Buy Goods, receiving money) have no excise duty. Excise is calculated as 20% of the base fee amount only, not on the principal.
Depositing money into your M‑Pesa wallet is free on the M‑Pesa side. However, your bank may charge its own fee if you deposit from a bank account.
For most merchants, customer payments via Buy Goods (Till) are free; the business pays a small percentage fee. Some categories, like petrol stations, may have different arrangements.
PayBill has three tariff types: Business Bouquet (customer pays all fees), Mgao Tariff (shared costs between customer and business), and Customer Bouquet (business pays all fees). The calculator shows exactly who pays what for each transaction. Excise duty applies to the customer's portion only.
Yes. Sending to other mobile networks generally costs more than P2P M‑Pesa sends, especially in mid and higher bands, as reflected in the “Send to other networks” tariff table.
Standard limits include a maximum wallet balance of KES 500,000, a per‑transaction limit of KES 250,000 and a daily limit of KES 500,000, subject to Safaricom's latest policy.
Fuliza charges a 1% access fee on the loan amount plus daily maintenance fees. For loans ≤ KES 1,000, you get a 3-day waiver on daily maintenance fees. For larger loans, the daily fee is KES 5 for 30 days. Excise duty applies to maintenance fees only.
You cannot send money to your own M-Pesa number. However, you can withdraw to your bank account or use M-Pesa to bank services. Alternatively, register a second M-Pesa line to transfer between accounts.
Contact Safaricom customer care immediately via 234 or visit an M-Pesa shop. If the recipient hasn't withdrawn the money, Safaricom may reverse the transaction. However, if funds are already withdrawn, you'll need to contact the recipient directly or pursue legal action.
Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to reduce cumulative agent fees. Use Till payments instead of PayBill when possible (Till is free for customers). Consolidate small transfers into one larger transaction to stay in lower tariff bands. Send KES 1-100 to registered users for free.
M-Pesa to bank transfers are typically free on the M-Pesa side, but your bank may charge receiving fees. Check with your specific bank for their charges. Some banks offer free M-Pesa deposits while others charge KES 25-50 per transaction.
Yes, but with limitations. Unregistered users can receive money and withdraw it at an agent using their ID and the transaction code. However, they cannot store money in a wallet, send money, or access other M-Pesa services. Registration is free and recommended.
Most M-Pesa transactions are instant, completing within seconds. Bank transfers may take 1-2 business days. If a transaction fails, funds are automatically reversed to your wallet within minutes. Check your M-Pesa statement to confirm transaction status.
PayBill is for paying bills and services (utilities, subscriptions) and may have customer charges depending on the merchant's tariff. Buy Goods (Till) is for purchasing products from merchants and is typically free for customers—the merchant pays the fee. Always check before paying.
Yes. If you believe you've been charged incorrectly, contact Safaricom customer care with your transaction details. Use this calculator to verify what the correct charges should be based on official tariffs. Keep your M-Pesa statement as evidence when disputing charges.