How to Read Your Gas and Electricity Meter
Regular meter readings are the best defence against estimated bills. They mean you pay for what you use, and they give you a clear picture of how your usage changes through the year. Here is how to read the most common types of meter.
Why readings matter
If your supplier does not have a recent reading it will estimate your usage, which can leave you overpaying or facing a large catch-up bill. Even if you have a smart meter, it is good practice to check that the figures on your account match your meter occasionally.
Digital electricity meters
A digital meter shows a row of digits on a screen. Write down all the digits from left to right and ignore any that are in red or after a decimal point. Some meters cycle through several screens, so you may need to press a button to see the total consumption in kWh.
Economy 7 and two-rate meters
If you are on a tariff with cheaper night-time rates, your meter has two registers. They are often labelled Low and Normal, or 1 and 2, or Night and Day. You must give your supplier both readings. See our guide to Economy 7 and time-of-use tariffs for how these tariffs work.
Dial meters
Older meters have a row of dials. Read them from left to right, writing down the number each pointer has most recently passed. If a pointer lies between two numbers, record the lower one. Some dials run clockwise and some anticlockwise, so check the direction. If a pointer is close to a number, look at the dial to its right: if that dial has passed zero, the number on the left is the higher one, otherwise it is the lower one.
Gas meters
Most modern gas meters are digital and show the reading in cubic metres. Record the digits before the decimal point, ignoring any red digits. Older imperial meters show cubic feet and the supplier needs to know which type you have. Your bill and the meter itself will show the units.
Prepayment meters
If you pay as you go, you still have a meter that records usage. Reading it helps you check that you are being charged correctly and helps your supplier when you switch tariff or move home.
When to take readings
- At the same time each month, such as the first of the month, so you can compare usage.
- When you move in or out of a property.
- When you switch supplier or tariff.
- When prices change, so that old and new rates apply to the right usage.
Keep a record
Take a photo of each meter with the date visible, and send the reading through your online account or app. Recording your readings in a simple spreadsheet shows seasonal patterns and helps you spot unusual jumps that might mean a fault or a change in habits. If you have a smart meter, it should send readings automatically, as explained in our smart meter guide.