Calculator
Airtel Money Cost Calculator (Kenya, 2026)
Sending KES 5,000 from Airtel Money to M-PESA costs about KES 57 in the cross-network band. Airtel-to-Airtel sends are currently free. Below: the full band table, the worked example, and an interactive tool for any amount.
Worked example: KES 5,000 Airtel to M-PESA
| Amount sent | KES 5,000 |
| Cross-network fee (2,501 to 5,000 band) | KES 57 |
| Recipient (M-PESA) receives | KES 5,000 |
| Total debit from Airtel wallet | KES 5,057 |
If the same KES 5,000 were sent Airtel-to-Airtel, the fee would be KES 0 (Airtel-to-Airtel is currently free). If you withdraw the KES 5,000 at an Airtel agent instead, the fee is KES 52 to KES 69 depending on retailer.
Full Airtel Money tariff table (2026)
| Amount band (KES) | Airtel to Airtel | Cross-network (to M-PESA / T-Kash) | Agent withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 to 100 | Free | KES Not available | KES 11 |
| 101 to 500 | Free | KES 7 | KES 29 |
| 501 to 1,000 | Free | KES 13 | KES 29 |
| 1,001 to 2,500 | Free | KES 23 to 33 | KES 29 |
| 2,501 to 5,000 | Free | KES 53 to 57 | KES 52 to 69 |
| 5,001 to 10,000 | Free | KES 78 to 90 | KES 87 to 115 |
| 10,001 to 20,000 | Free | KES 100 to 105 | KES 167 to 185 |
| 20,001 to 35,000 | Free | KES 108 | KES 197 |
| 35,001 to 50,000 | Free | KES 108 | KES 278 |
| 50,001 to 250,000 | Free | KES 108 | KES 309 |
Verified 30 August 2026 against Airtel Africa Kenya published tariffs. See our full Airtel Money charges 2026 guide for the source citation and Airtel-to-Airtel waiver history.
What actually costs money on Airtel Money
Airtel Money runs three fee lines in Kenya. First, sending Airtel-to-Airtel is currently free, a standing waiver Airtel introduced during COVID and has not lifted. Treat it as current rather than permanent and verify at the app before large sends.
Second, sending cross-network (Airtel to M-PESA or T-Kash) uses the interoperability rail and costs KES 7 to KES 108 by band. Third, withdrawing cash at an Airtel agent costs KES 11 to KES 309 by band. Depositing cash at an Airtel agent is free.
Airtel Money is materially cheaper than M-PESA only when both sides are on Airtel. In every cross-network case (which is most of Kenya, since M-PESA has roughly 96% share) the fees are broadly similar. Airtel and M-PESA are functionally equivalent on cost for the average Kenyan transaction.
Try your own amount
Enter any amount from KES 50 to 250,000. The widget looks up the exact band from the published Airtel tariff.
Airtel to Airtel
FREE
Current standing waiver
Cross-network send (to M-PESA / T-Kash)
KES 57
Band 2,501 to 5,000
Agent withdrawal
KES 69
Band 2,501 to 5,000
Airtel Money deposits at an agent are always free. Cash-out and cross-network transfers use the banded fee. Source: Airtel Africa Kenya published tariffs (verified 30 Aug 2026).
What does it cost to send from Airtel Money to M-PESA?
Cross-network sends are banded from KES 7 (for KES 101 to 500) up to KES 108 (for KES 20,001 and above). Airtel-to-Airtel sends are currently free.
Is Airtel Money cheaper than M-PESA?
Only when both sender and receiver are on Airtel Money. In every cross-network case (Airtel to M-PESA or T-Kash) the fees are broadly similar to M-PESA sends. Withdrawal fees are also similar.
What does it cost to send KES 5,000 to M-PESA from Airtel Money?
KES 78 (band KES 2,501 to 5,000; published range KES 53 to 57 for that band, some retailers report up to KES 78 with retailer-added float; the calculator uses the upper published Airtel figure of KES 57 in that band, real prompts can vary slightly). The withdrawal fee if you cash out KES 5,000 at an agent is KES 52 to 69 depending on point-of-sale.
What does it cost to withdraw KES 10,000 at an Airtel agent?
KES 115 for withdrawals in the KES 5,001 to 10,000 band. The full withdrawal band goes from KES 11 (for KES 50 to 100) to KES 309 (for KES 50,001 and above).
What are the Airtel Money limits?
KES 250,000 per single transaction. Daily transaction total is capped at KES 500,000 and maximum wallet balance is KES 500,000. These are CBK-set mobile-money ceilings.
Does depositing cash at an Airtel Money agent cost anything?
No. Depositing cash at an Airtel Money agent is free. You only pay to send (cross-network) or withdraw.