Skip to main content
Menu

How do I read my electricity meter?

There are four kinds of electric meter: digital, electronic, dial and smart meters. Here's an introduction of how to read them all, alternatively go to our help centre for more detail and illustrations.

Digital meter

Write down all the numbers from left to right, ignoring any numbers in red or in a red surround.

If your tariff includes cheaper off-peak electricity, your meter may have two or more rows of figures. If it does, write down all the numbers from left to right in each row, ignoring any numbers in red or in a red surround.

Electronic meter

Some electronic meters have a cycle display button that you need to press to take readings. Others automatically scroll through the different displays. If your tariff includes cheaper off-peak electricity, your meter may have two or more rows of figures. If it does, write down all the numbers from left to right in each row, ignoring any numbers in red or in a red surround.

Dial meter

Each dial turns in the opposite direction to the one before it. Before you read your dial meter, check the direction of your dials. All dials revolve from 0 to 9, then to 0 again. Read the dials from left to right, but don’t read the last dial.

Having trouble reading your dial meter? Submit a photo meter reading through the app.

Smart meter

You don't need to read your smart meter, unless we have asked you for one, as it sends us your readings automatically. If your meter has an 'in-home display' you can use it to see how much energy you're using, in real time. The figure you see might differ from the one on your bill, because it includes VAT and standing charge (which is always shown).