Page last updated on 17th August 2026
How do you read a smart meter?
Your smart meter usually sends readings to your energy supplier automatically, but there may still be times when you need to take a manual reading yourself. This guide explains how to do that, with step-by-step instructions for electricity and gas smart meters. You might need a manual reading when switching supplier, checking your usage, or resolving an issue with your account. The steps depend on the type of smart meter installed in your home, so it helps to identify your meter first.
What's on this page?
What’s the difference between a smart meter and an in-home display?
Before taking a reading, it’s important to know which device you’re looking at.
Your smart meter is usually attached to a wall or in a cupboard near your electricity supply. Your in-home display (IHD) is a separate portable screen that shows live energy usage and estimated costs.
If you want to know how to get smart meter reading information for billing or supplier updates, you’ll normally need to use the meter itself rather than the display unit.
Unlike the in-home display, the smart meter stores the official reading used for your account.
When would a manual smart meter reading be needed?
Smart meters are designed to send readings automatically to your supplier. However, there are still situations where taking your own reading can help.
You may need a manual reading if:
You are switching supplier
Your meter temporarily loses connection
You want to monitor your energy use more closely
You have changed your meter settings
You may need to take a meter reading if you have switched supplier and have a SMETS1 meter.
Knowing how to take a manual reading can help you avoid estimated bills, check your usage, and resolve account issues more quickly.
You may also be asked to provide a reading if your supplier needs to confirm recent usage.
How do you take a reading from a smart meter?
If you’re wondering how to get a meter reading from a smart meter, the exact steps depend on the type of meter you have, but the same basic principles apply across most models.
Use the guidance below to take a reading safely and accurately for different meter types. Before you start, when taking a reading:
Write down the numbers from left to right
Ignore any zeros at the beginning
Ignore any numbers after the decimal point
Look for numbers followed by “kWh” on electricity meters
The way you take a reading depends on whether you are checking your gas or electricity smart meter:
How to read your gas smart meter
Need to take a gas smart meter reading? Follow our step-by-step guide to reading your gas smart meter.
How do you read your electricity smart meter?
The exact process can vary depending on the buttons and screen layout on your meter. Follow the instructions below that best match your model.
Click on the link below if your meter has:
A green 'A' button to the right of the screen & a white 'B' button below it
2 buttons to the right of the screen and one says 'reconnect'
A green 'A' button & grey 'B' button to the right of the screen
For your electricity meter readings, you’ll have to look for the number followed by ‘kWh’ which stands for kilowatt hours.
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.
Smart meters with a keypad
Press 9
Wait until you see ‘IMP KWH’
You’ll then see numbers followed by ‘KWH’
Write down the numbers from left to right, this is your meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point
This is your electric smart meter reading.
Smart electricity meters with ‘A’ and ‘B’ buttons under the screen
Press the A button and wait a few seconds
Press the A button again until you see ‘TOTAL ACT IMPORT’ and numbers followed by ‘KWH
Write down the number from left to right, this is your meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point
For a smart meter with A and B buttons, the numbers shown after “TOTAL ACT IMPORT” and followed by “KWH” are your electricity reading.
Smart electricity meters with a green ‘A’ button to the right of the screen and a white ‘B’ button below it
Press the white B button to light up the screen
Wait until the screen says ‘meter boost’ – then press 'A' to select 'no'
You should see your meter reading followed by ‘KWH’
Write down the numbers from left to right, this is your meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point.
Smart electricity meters with 3 buttons to the right of the screen
Press the middle button
Write down the number below ‘IMP’ from left to right, this is your meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point.
Smart electricity meters with 1 orange button and 2 blue buttons
Press the orange button
Write down the number from left to right, this is your electric meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point.
Smart electricity meters with 2 white buttons to the right of the screen
Your meter should automatically change between screens, so wait for the screen that shows numbers followed by KWH. Contact your energy supplier if your smart meter is not automatically changing between screens.
Write down the numbers from left to right, this is your meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point.
Smart electricity meters with 2 buttons to the right of the screen and one says ‘reconnect’
Press the ‘display’ or ‘display select’ button
Press the ‘display’ or ‘display select’ button again until you see numbers followed by KWH
Write down the number from left to right, this is your meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point.
Smart electricity meters with a green ‘A’ button and grey ‘B’ button to the right of the screen
Look at the screen - you don’t need to press any buttons
Write down the number next to ‘KWH’ from left to right, this is your meter reading
Remember to ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point.
Why might your smart meter reading not look right
Why is my smart meter not sending readings?
Sometimes smart meters temporarily lose communication with suppliers due to signal or connectivity issues.
In these situations:
Your bills may temporarily become estimated
You may need to submit manual readings
Your in-home display may stop updating correctly
Why does my smart meter show multiple readings?
Some electricity smart meters show separate readings for:
Day and night tariffs
Economy 7 pricing
Peak and off-peak electricity usage
Always provide the reading requested by your supplier.
Can I still submit readings manually?
Yes. Even with a smart meter installed, you can still provide readings manually if requested by your supplier.
What else should you know about smart meter readings?
Where can I find my meter serial number?
Your meter serial number (MSN) is usually printed on the front of the meter and helps identify your specific device.
How often should I check my smart meter?
Even though smart meters send readings automatically, checking your meter occasionally can help you monitor energy usage and spot unusual changes.
How do you read a smart meter?
Most smart meters require you to press a button to cycle through screens until the reading appears beside “kWh”. The exact steps depend on your meter model.
It can also be useful to know how to check your reading manually if your supplier asks you to confirm recent usage.
FAQs
How can I get a smart meter if I don’t have one?
Most homes in Great Britain can now upgrade to a smart meter. Availability depends on your location, existing meter type, and supplier rollout schedules.
Installing a smart meter can help you track energy use more accurately and remove the need for regular manual readings.
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:
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.
Will I still receive estimated bills?
Smart meters are designed to send automatic readings, helping suppliers issue more accurate bills based on actual usage.
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.
Do smart meters still work during a power cut?
Your electricity smart meter may stop displaying information during a power cut, but your supplier will still retain previous readings.