Expert guide to reading all types of meters

Why are meter readings important?

There are two types of gas and electricity meter –traditional analogue meters and Smart meters. Smart meters send us regular meter readings automatically, so you don’t have to. But there are a few situations where you’ll still need to provide meter readings from your Smart meters - for example a family bereavement or when moving home.

If you have traditional energy meters, you’ll need to send in regular meter readings so we can calculate how much energy you’re using. It’s important that you send regular meter readings to make sure we bill you accurately and that you pay the right amount for the gas and electricity that you use at home.

Who is responsible for reading my meters?

You only need to send us meter readings for your gas and electricity if you have a traditional meter. Smart meters send regular meter readings to us automatically, so you don’t have to.

If you generate your own renewable electricity and you’re on a Smart Export Guarantee tariff, you may need to submit export meter readings from time to time.

If you’re unable to read your meter, and your family or friends can’t help, we may be able to send someone to take quarterly meter readings for you.

What type of meters do I have?

Traditional meters (non-smart)

If your meters have an analogue display or dials, you’ll have traditional, non-smart meters. With these meters you’ll need to send us regular readings so we can work out how much energy you’re using. We’ll prompt you for these readings and then send you a statement showing your latest balance. Example images below:

Types of traditional gas meter and how to read them

Digital metric meter

Write down the five numbers shown from left to right. Ignore the number(s) after the decimal point which may be shown in red. The meter reading below is 00254.

Imperial meter

Write down the four numbers shown from left to right. Ignore the number(s) shown in red. The meter reading below is 2988.

Dial meter

Read the four dials from left to right along the bottom row only – ignore any other dials and write down the number closest to each pointer. When the pointer is between two numbers, write down the lower number. For example, if the pointer is between 9 and 0 write down 9.

Each dial turns in the opposite direction to the one before it, so check which way each turns. The meter reading below is 6456.

Types of traditional electricity meter and how to read them

Single rate meter

With a single rate meter, you’ll be charged one rate for both day and night energy usage. Your reading will be on a single display Write down the five numbers shown from left to right. Ignore the last number(s) which may be shown in red. The meter reading below is 07220.

Two rate meter

With a two rate meter, you’ll be charged a different amount for your daytime and night time energy usage, and your readings will be shown across two displays. For both top and bottom rows, write down the numbers shown left to right. Ignore the last number(s) which may be shown in red. The meter readings below are 56315, 07220.

Two rate, single display meter

Some two rate meters only have one digital display and they either flash up the different rate readings in a cycle or you need to press the button to make the display cycle through the readings for each rate. In the diagram below “Rate 1” is the daytime rate, and “Rate 2” would be the night time rate.

Dial meter

Read the first five dials from left to right, ignoring the dial marked 1/10. Write down the number that the pointer has just passed - use the lower of the 2 numbers either side of the pointer.

It's important to note that the sequence of numbers on each dial can alternate from clockwise to anti-clockwise. The meter reading below is 64566.

Smart meters

Smart meters are self-reading gas and electricity meters that come with an in-home display so you can see how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence. Unlike traditional meters, they read and send meter readings to your energy supplier automatically, so you get accurate bills and only pay for the energy you use.

However, there are several situations where we will ask you to provide Smart meter readings, for example following a family bereavement or when you move home. Some first-generation smart meters are not compatible with all energy suppliers, so they can’t send readings. This is a temporary issue – we’re working to upgrade your smart meters remotely as soon as possible.

Not upgraded to smart meters yet? Book your smart meter installation

How to read smart meters

British Gas fitted gas smart meters

• The screen will probably be off. Press the red A button to wake it up.
• Once it says Credit On you can press the red A button again.
• The screen will say Meter Index. That's your meter reading.

For gas smart meters fitted by another supplier, please go here for help.

British Gas fitted electricity smart meters

If your meter has two barcodes on it as shown below – here’s how to take a meter reading:

Single rate meter

• Tap the green A button three or four times to go through the options.
• Keep scrolling through the options until the meter reading display screen shows "Rate 01 Act Imp". This shows your meter reading.
• If you go too far, keep pressing the button as it will loop back around.

Two rate meter

To display rate 1, hold in the B button for 5 seconds with the meter display backlight turned off. Press A for rate 2.

If you have a different kind of smart electricity meter, with a different display, please see here for help.

Submitting a meter reading for a prepayment meter

If you have a Pay As You Go meter, you don't need to submit a meter readings as they are sent to us each time you top-up. Learn more about prepayment meters.

Ready to send in your British Gas meter readings?

There are several ways to send us your meter readings

Online: Log in to your online account online account and select ‘Meter readings’ then follow the instructions. If you don’t have an online account you can submit meter readings here by clicking ‘Not yet online’.

On our App: Login and click the ‘Meter’ menu item, then ‘Submit another reading’. If you have smart meters, you won’t be able to submit reads on the app - please visit our meter reading page for more information.

By phone: To use our automated service, you’ll just need your customer account number and meter reads to hand.

• If your customer account number starts with an A or BGX then call 0330 054 5340.
• If your customer account number starts with 85 then call 0330 100 0056.

How often should I provide meter readings?

Once a month is fine, but in general the more often the better. The more readings we have the easier it is for us to create more accurate bills for you. We’ll also prompt you when it’s time to submit a reading to us, this is likely to be once a month.