Congestion Charge Calculator

Estimate London Congestion Charge costs for one vehicle, a small fleet or repeated visits, with editable 2026 rates, registered discounts, optional ULEZ, parking and penalty lines.

Trip And Charge Details

Charged driving Chargeable days Count each day a vehicle drives inside the zone during charging hours.days Vehicles Use more than one for a fleet, family visit or delivery plan.vehicles

Payment rate Payment timing TfL lists different rates for payment on the day and payment within three days. Custom daily charge Edit if TfL changes the rate or your case uses another published charge.£

Adjustments and comparison Registered discount Only enter a discount if the vehicle or account is registered and accepted by TfL.% ULEZ or other daily driving charge Optional extra per vehicle per day. Enter zero if not relevant or already paid another way.£ Parking per vehicle per day Optional. Include car park, pay-by-phone parking or workplace parking.£ Alternative travel cost Optional comparison for rail, Tube, bus, taxi, cycle hire or a delivery service.£

Penalty check Penalty notices to model Leave at zero for a normal planned payment. This is for missed-payment what-if checks.PCNs Penalty amount per notice TfL currently lists GBP 180, reduced to GBP 90 if paid in the discount period. Edit to match the notice.£

Estimated Cost

Total estimated payment–Enter the number of chargeable days and vehicles.

This calculator is a planning tool. Use TfL to check the zone, charging hours, vehicle status, discounts and payment record before relying on a result.

What This Calculator Covers

The London Congestion Charge is a daily charge for driving inside the central London charging zone during chargeable times. This page helps you turn a planned visit into a cost estimate before you decide whether to drive, use public transport, book a courier, arrange a delivery slot or move the appointment outside charging hours.

The calculator separates the main charge from optional extra lines. The Congestion Charge line uses the payment rate selected in the tool. ULEZ, parking, alternative travel and penalty lines are separate because they follow different rules. A compliant vehicle may still owe the Congestion Charge. A vehicle with a Congestion Charge discount may still have a ULEZ cost if it does not meet the emissions standard. Treat each scheme as its own check.

2026 Charge Method

Charge events = chargeable days x vehiclesGross Congestion Charge = charge events x selected daily rateRegistered discount = gross charge x discount percentageDriving extras = charge events x (ULEZ or other daily charge + parking)Total estimate = gross charge - discount + driving extras + modelled penalties

From 2 January 2026, TfL lists the daily Congestion Charge as GBP 18 if paid on the day, or GBP 21 if paid within three days. The tool keeps both as editable rates because official charges, payment windows and discount rules can change. If you are using the calculator for payroll, expenses, delivery pricing or a client quote, check the official TfL page on the day you prepare the final figure.

Payment Timing Matters

A simple day trip and a late payment do not cost the same. The result panel shows the selected timing rate so the difference is visible. If the charge is not paid by the TfL deadline, a Penalty Charge Notice may be issued to the registered keeper. The penalty field is not included by default because planned trips should normally be paid correctly, but it is useful when comparing the cost of missed administration across several vehicles.

Drivers using Auto Pay should still review statements and vehicle lists. A vehicle that is not on the account, a plate entered incorrectly or a hire car not added in time can create a different outcome. Keep registration numbers, dates and payment receipts together when claiming expenses.

Common Planning Cases

Hospital Or Appointment Visit

Model the charging day, parking and any patient reimbursement separately. Eligible NHS patient reimbursements have their own rules, so check the hospital and TfL guidance before travel.

Contractor Job

Use the number of vans and days, then add parking. If several workers can share one vehicle or deliver materials outside the zone, the total may change sharply.

Regular Commute

Five charged days per week quickly becomes a large monthly figure. Compare it with season tickets, contactless caps, cycling, park-and-ride or flexible working where those options are realistic.

Discount And Exemption Checks

Check	Why it matters	What to do
Registered residents or other approved discounts	A discount normally has to be accepted by TfL before it can be used.	Enter the percentage only after checking the TfL account or confirmation.
Cleaner vehicle discount	Eligibility can depend on vehicle type, registration and scheme dates.	Check TfL’s current discount page rather than relying on a past rule.
Blue Badge and disabled tax class	Some concessions require registration and may apply to one scheme but not another.	Check both Congestion Charge and ULEZ pages.
Hire, lease or company vehicles	The registered keeper may receive notices, but the driver or employer may carry the cost.	Keep booking dates, receipts and vehicle registration records.
Christmas and bank holiday rules	Charging days and hours can differ from normal weekdays.	Check the TfL charging calendar before travel.

Reading The Result

The total shows a planning cost, not a receipt. The first line is the Congestion Charge after any entered discount. The next lines show optional daily extras and penalties. If the alternative travel cost is entered, the result states whether driving is above or below that comparison. That comparison is only a money check; it does not value time, reliability, luggage, accessibility, multiple passengers or business needs.

When the calculator is used for expenses, save the final TfL receipt. When it is used for delivery pricing, state whether the charge is included, charged at cost or treated as a separate disbursement. Clear wording prevents arguments later, especially where the job crosses midnight or uses several vehicles.

When Not To Rely On A Rough Estimate

You are close to a charging boundary and have not checked the address on TfL’s map.
You are unsure whether the vehicle meets ULEZ standards.
You plan to claim a discount, exemption or reimbursement but have not registered.
You have received a PCN and need the exact legal amount and dates from the notice.
You are pricing a contract where a wrong figure would be costly.

FAQs

Does this include ULEZ?

Only if you enter a ULEZ or other daily driving charge in the optional field. The Congestion Charge and ULEZ are separate checks.

Is the Congestion Charge paid per trip?

No. It is a daily charge for driving in the zone during charging hours, so several trips on the same chargeable day for the same vehicle are usually one daily charge.

Can I use this for several vehicles?

Yes. Enter the number of vehicles and chargeable days. The calculator multiplies them into charge events and then applies the selected rate.

Why is there a penalty field?

It is for missed-payment what-if checks and fleet administration reviews. Leave it at zero for a planned paid visit.

Does a discount apply automatically?

Not necessarily. Many discounts and exemptions require registration, approval or a specific vehicle status. Check TfL before entering a discount.

Sources

Transport for London. (2026). Congestion Charge payments. TfL. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge/paying-the-congestion-charge
Transport for London. (2026). Congestion Charge zone. TfL. https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/congestion-charge
Transport for London. (2026). Discounts and exemptions for Congestion Charge and Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels charge. TfL. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/discounts-and-exemptions
Transport for London. (2026). Penalties and enforcement. TfL. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge/penalties-and-enforcement