How Octopus Agile pricing works
Octopus Agile is a smart electricity tariff where the unit rate changes every 30 minutes. Instead of paying one fixed unit rate all day, your electricity price follows wholesale market prices more closely.
Prices are usually published the day before, so you can check the next day’s rates in advance and plan flexible electricity use around the cheapest periods. This is what makes Agile different from tariffs like Octopus Tracker. Tracker prices change once per day, while Agile changes every half hour.
The cheapest Agile prices are often overnight or during periods of low demand. The most expensive prices are usually during the early evening peak, when demand on the grid is higher. Prices can also occasionally go very low or even negative, which is known as plunge pricing.
If you are deciding whether to join Octopus Agile, it's worth reading our full guide to Octopus Agile before switching.
Today’s Octopus Agile rates
The table above shows today’s Octopus Agile import prices in half-hourly slots. Each price is the unit rate you pay for electricity during that 30-minute period.
This means the cost of using electricity can change significantly throughout the day. Running a dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer or EV charger during a cheap slot can cost much less than running it during the evening peak.
For most households, the key thing to check is not just the average price for the day, but the difference between the cheapest and most expensive periods. Agile works best when you can move some of your usage away from expensive times and into cheaper ones.
Tomorrow’s Octopus Agile prices
Octopus usually publishes tomorrow’s Agile prices the day before they apply. Once tomorrow’s prices are available, the dashboard above will show them alongside today’s rates.
This is useful because Agile rewards planning ahead. If tomorrow has cheaper overnight rates, you may want to delay flexible usage such as laundry, dishwashing, battery charging or EV charging. If tomorrow looks expensive, it may be worth doing more today instead.
Unlike a standard fixed or variable tariff, Agile gives you a clear view of when electricity will be cheapest. The more flexible your usage is, the more useful tomorrow’s price data becomes.
Cheapest times to use electricity on Octopus Agile
The cheapest Agile periods are usually overnight, during sunny or windy periods, or when demand on the grid is low. These cheap slots can be especially useful if you have appliances that can be scheduled in advance.
Good examples include washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, immersion heaters, home batteries and EV chargers. Even moving one or two high-use appliances out of the evening peak can make a noticeable difference over time.
You do not need to move all your usage to benefit from Agile. The biggest gains usually come from avoiding the most expensive half-hour periods and using more electricity when prices are unusually low.
Most expensive Octopus Agile periods
The most expensive Agile prices usually appear during the evening peak, often when households are cooking, heating, washing and using appliances at the same time.
This is the main risk of Agile. If most of your electricity use happens during expensive peak periods and you cannot shift it, Agile may not save you money compared with a simpler tariff.
Before switching, it is worth checking the price chart above and thinking honestly about your household routine. If you regularly use a lot of electricity during peak periods, you may need to change habits to get the best from Agile.
Octopus Agile price history
The price history chart helps you see how Agile has performed over time. A single day of cheap prices can look attractive, but the longer-term pattern gives a better sense of whether Agile currently looks good value.
Agile prices can move around more than standard tariffs because they are linked more closely to wholesale electricity prices. This means there can be very cheap days, expensive days and periods where prices change quickly.
Price history is useful before switching because it helps you see whether today’s prices are normal, unusually cheap or unusually expensive. It can also help existing Agile customers decide whether to keep using the tariff or compare other Octopus options.
What is plunge pricing on Octopus Agile?
Plunge pricing is when Agile electricity prices drop very low, and in some cases become negative. Negative pricing means the unit rate falls below 0p per kWh for a short period.
This usually happens when there is more electricity available than the grid needs, often during periods of strong wind, high renewable generation or low demand.
Plunge pricing is one of the most interesting features of Agile, but it should be seen as a bonus rather than the main reason to switch. The tariff needs to make sense for your normal usage pattern, not just for the occasional very cheap half-hour slot.
Why do Agile prices vary by region?
Octopus Agile prices can vary by region because network charges differ across the UK. The country is split into electricity distribution regions, and each region has its own local network costs.
This means two households on Agile can see slightly different prices on the same day, even though they are on the same tariff. The wholesale price is a major part of the rate, but regional charges can affect the final unit price.
When using the dashboard above, choose the region that matches your electricity supply area. This gives you the most accurate Agile prices for your home.
Is Octopus Agile cheaper than the price cap?
Octopus Agile can be cheaper than a standard variable tariff, but it depends heavily on when you use electricity.
The price cap is based on typical usage and standard tariff rates. Agile is different because the rate changes every 30 minutes. That means your average cost depends on whether you use electricity during cheap periods, expensive periods, or a mix of both.
Agile is usually strongest for households that can shift usage away from the evening peak. If you use most of your electricity at expensive times and cannot change that, Agile may not be the cheapest option.
Who is Octopus Agile best for?
Octopus Agile is best suited to households that can be flexible with electricity use. It can work especially well if you have appliances that can be scheduled, a home battery, solar panels, an EV, or a general willingness to check prices and adjust usage.
It can also suit people who enjoy optimising their energy use and want a tariff that responds more directly to wholesale electricity prices.
It is less suitable if you want predictable bills, do not want to think about when you use electricity, or regularly use lots of power during the evening peak. In that case, a simpler tariff such as Octopus Tracker, Octopus Go, Intelligent Octopus Go or a fixed tariff may be easier to manage.
Should you switch to Octopus Agile?
Octopus Agile can be a good choice if you want access to half-hourly electricity prices and are willing to move some usage into cheaper periods.
Before switching, use the dashboard above to check today’s prices, tomorrow’s prices and the recent price history. Then compare that with your actual routine. The tariff is most useful when your household can avoid expensive peak periods and make use of cheaper slots.
Octopus Agile prices FAQs
What time are Octopus Agile prices updated?
Octopus Agile prices are usually published the day before they apply. Once tomorrow’s rates are available, the dashboard above will show the next day’s half-hourly prices.
How often do Octopus Agile prices change?
Octopus Agile prices change every 30 minutes. Each day is split into half-hourly pricing periods, with a different unit rate for each slot.
Are Octopus Agile prices the same everywhere?
No. Agile prices can vary by region because local network charges differ across the UK. Use the region selector above to find the correct prices for your area.
What are the cheapest times on Octopus Agile?
The cheapest times are often overnight or during periods of low demand, but they can change from day to day. Use the dashboard above to check the cheapest half-hour slots for today and tomorrow.
What are the most expensive times on Octopus Agile?
The most expensive periods are usually during the early evening peak, when national electricity demand is higher. This is why Agile works best when you can avoid using high-power appliances during peak periods.
Can Octopus Agile prices go negative?
Yes. Agile prices can occasionally go negative during plunge pricing events. This usually happens when electricity supply is high and demand is low.
Is Octopus Agile better than Octopus Tracker?
They suit different households. Agile changes every 30 minutes and can reward flexible usage. Tracker changes once per day and is simpler to follow. Agile may be better if you can shift usage into cheap periods, while Tracker may suit people who want daily wholesale-linked pricing without half-hourly planning.
Is Octopus Agile good for EV charging?
It can be, especially if you can charge during cheap overnight periods or plunge pricing events. However, if you want a more predictable cheap overnight EV rate, Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus Go may be a better fit.
Do I need a smart meter for Octopus Agile?
Yes. Agile relies on half-hourly electricity data, so you need a working smart meter that can send readings to Octopus.
Can I leave Octopus Agile if prices rise?
Yes, but you should always check Octopus’s current tariff terms before switching. Agile prices can rise and fall, so it is worth comparing your recent average rate with other available tariffs before deciding.
Where can I learn more about the Octopus Agile tariff?
This page focuses on Agile prices, half-hourly rates and price history. For a broader explanation of the tariff, including eligibility, smart meter requirements, risks and who should avoid it, read our full Octopus Agile tariff guide.