Page last updated on 24th April 2026
How can I read a gas smart meter?
Your gas smart meter will send your meter readings directly to your energy supplier, making manual readings a thing of the past. But if you need to you can still take readings yourself using your smart meter and accompanying in-home display.
AM I LOOKING AT A SMART METER OR A SMART METER DISPLAY?
Before we begin, we need to make sure you’re looking at the right device. When you get your smart meter installed you can choose to accept an accompanying in-home display (IHD), also known as the smart meter display.
Why take a manual smart meter reading?
Smart meters automatically send meter readings to your energy supplier. This means you’ll no longer need to take a meter reading. And you can expect accurate, not estimated bills.
But there are instances where manual meter readings could help you:
- You want to personally track your energy use alongside your in-home display.
- If you change the settings on your smart meter so it no longer sends your meter readings automatically.
- You’ve just switched supplier (you normally need to send just the first meter reading)
- Or you may need to take a meter reading if you have switched supplier and have a SMETS1 meter.
How to take a meter reading if you have a smart meter
To take a meter reading with a smart meter depends on which smart meter your looking at:
How to read your electric smart meter
Click on the link below to find out how to read your electric smart meter.
How to read your gas smart meter
Getting a reading from your smart electricity meter will depend on what your smart meter looks like.
Click on the link below if your meter has:
- A and B buttons under the screen
- 3 square red buttons
- a circle button and 2 arrow buttons
- a keypad
- orange and blue arrow buttons
- 2 white buttons to the right of the screen
- a button to the left and right of the screen
If you're having trouble finding your readings on your gas smart meter. The meter reading will normally be shown as a number followed by ‘m3’. You may need to speak to your energy supplier if it is difficult to find your meter reading. They will provide advice tailored to your type of in-home display.
Energy suppliers provide different smart meters, which means yours may look different to your friends’ or neighbours’. For specific advice on using your smart meter to take a meter reading, contact your energy supplier.
Gas smart meters with ‘A’ and ‘B’ buttons under the screen
- press the A button
- press the A button again until you see ‘METER INDEX’ and numbers followed by ‘M3’
- write down the number from left to right, this is your gas meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point
Gas smart meters with 3 square red buttons
- press the left button - it might say ‘A’
- write down the number from left to right, this is your gas meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point.
Gas smart meters with a circle button and 2 arrow buttons
- press the middle circle button
- write down the number from left to right, this is your gas meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point
Gas smart meters with a keypad
- press 9 - you’ll see ‘VOLUME’ on the screen
- wait until it changes - you’ll see numbers followed by ‘M3’
- write down the number from left to right, this is your gas meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point
Gas smart meters with orange and blue arrow buttons
- press the orange button
- write down the number from left to right, this is your gas meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point.
Gas smart meters with 2 white buttons to the right of the screen
- press the right button - it might be labelled 'OK' or have an arrow on it
- write down the number from left to right, this is your gas meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point.
Gas smart meters with a button to the left and right of the screen
- press either of the buttons on your meter
- wait until you see ‘01’ with numbers followed by ‘M3’ 3. write down the number from left to right, this is your gas meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point.
How can I get a smart meter if I don’t have one?
Many homes in Britain can upgrade to a smart meter right now. But where you live, the type of home you live in and the age and type of your existing meter may mean that your energy supplier will take a little longer to install yours.
Your supplier will be in touch when your smart meter is ready to be installed. If you would like to enquire about getting one now, please click the link below:
FAQs
Can I get a smart meter for free?
There is no additional cost for installation of your smart meter. At the point of installation you may be offered an in-home display that shows your spending in near real-time for no additional cost. You won’t have an extra charge on your bill because you choose to have a smart meter. The costs will be spread across everyone’s bills, just like the cost of running and maintaining today’s traditional meters are.
Do I need one smart meter for gas and another for electricity?
Yes, if you're a dual-fuel customer, both meters will need to be replaced. Your supplier will aim to install both meters on the same visit to make things as easy as possible. You will only need one in-home display to view both your gas and electricity usage. If your gas and electricity accounts are with different suppliers, you will have two separate smart meter installations - one from each of your suppliers.
If your home’s gas and electricity are supplied by different suppliers, we suggest having your electric smart meter installed before your gas smart meter. We have a lot more information about smart meters and the installation process on our installation process page.