Safaricom M-Pesa Transaction Fees for 500 KES
Ksh 7 on Ksh 500 works out to 1.4% of what you are sending.
Ksh 500 is the kind of amount you send to a household worker, split a bill with, or pay a small delivery fee. You need Ksh 507 in your wallet to complete the transfer.
Need to withdraw Ksh 500?
The recipient will pay Ksh 11 to withdraw this cash at an agent.
Most people only think about the sending fee. But the person receiving Ksh 500 will pay Ksh 11 to withdraw the cash at an agent. Access the full withdrawal tariff below.
M-PESA sending charges — full table (2025)
These are Safaricom's current rates for sending to registered M-PESA users and Buy Goods tills. The highlighted row is where Ksh 500 falls.
| Amount (Ksh) | Sending Charge | Total Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 100 | Free | Same as amount |
| 101 - 500 | Ksh 7 | Amount + Ksh 7 |
| 501 - 1,000 | Ksh 13 | Amount + Ksh 13 |
| 1,001 - 1,500 | Ksh 23 | Amount + Ksh 23 |
| 1,501 - 2,500 | Ksh 33 | Amount + Ksh 33 |
| 2,501 - 3,500 | Ksh 53 | Amount + Ksh 53 |
| 3,501 - 5,000 | Ksh 57 | Amount + Ksh 57 |
| 5,001 - 7,500 | Ksh 78 | Amount + Ksh 78 |
| 7,501 - 10,000 | Ksh 90 | Amount + Ksh 90 |
| 10,001 - 15,000 | Ksh 100 | Amount + Ksh 100 |
| 15,001 - 20,000 | Ksh 105 | Amount + Ksh 105 |
| 20,001 - 250,000 | Ksh 108 | Amount + Ksh 108 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to send 500 via M-PESA?
Sending Ksh 500 costs Ksh 7. You need at least Ksh 507 in your wallet. The fee is 1.4% of the transfer value.
What does the recipient pay to withdraw Ksh 500?
Withdrawing Ksh 500 at an M-PESA agent costs Ksh 11. They receive the full amount you sent; the withdrawal fee is deducted separately from their balance if they cash out.
Can I pay less than Ksh 7 to send around Ksh 500?
Ksh 500 is the absolute top of this charge band. Send Ksh 1 more — Ksh 501 — and the fee jumps by Ksh 6 to Ksh 13.
Is it cheaper to send to a bank account?
Yes. M-PESA to Bank transfers (Send to Bank) are currently free — Ksh 0 charge. However, bank transfers can take longer to reflect and may carry bank-side receiving fees.
Does it cost more to send to Airtel or T-Kash?
No. Since 2025, Safaricom charges the same rate regardless of the recipient's network. For 500 KES, the fee remains 7 KES whether you send to Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom.