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How to find your MPRN number

Ever wondered what the string of numbers on your gas bill means? That’s your MPRN—Meter Point Reference Number. This unique identifier ensures accurate billing, efficient gas management, and smooth supplier switches.

Knowing your MPRN is essential for quick emergency responses and hassle-free service. Read on to discover why your MPRN matters and how to find it.

What is an MPRN?

An MPRN, or Meter Point Reference Number, is a unique number assigned to the business gas connection at a property in the UK. It helps to identify the specific gas meter, ensuring accurate billing and management of gas services.

Each MPRN is unique to a property’s gas meter, and no two properties will share the same MPRN.

Why is the MPRN important?

The Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) ensures accurate gas billing and facilitates smooth supplier switches. Here are a few other key factors:

Accurate billing: The MPRN ensures accurate billing by linking each meter to a unique identifier, allowing energy suppliers to record and bill individual businesses for their gas consumption.
Efficient supplier switching: The MPRN facilitates smooth transitions when businesses switch gas suppliers, ensuring accurate meter identification and error-free service transfers.
Operational efficiency: MPRNs are essential for gas distributors and business gas suppliers to efficiently manage the gas network, track gas supply locations, monitor consumption patterns, and handle distribution logistics.
Emergency services: In emergencies such as gas leaks, the MPRN allows emergency responders to quickly locate the meter and address issues promptly, enhancing safety.

What does an MPRN look like?

The MPRN is a 6-11 digit number. It does not contain any letters or special characters.

The structure is straightforward: a sequence of numbers, such as:

MPRN

The number does not contain geographical or personal information—it is a unique identifier for the gas supply at a specific location.

How to find your MPRN without a gas bill

Your MPRN is easily found on the first or second page of your business gas bill. Unlike the meter serial number displayed on the physical gas meter box, the MPRN is strictly a billing document feature, essential for administrative purposes.

However, if you don’t have your bill to hand, here’s how to find it without the bill:

Meter Point Administration Service: For a more direct approach, you can contact the Meter Point Administration Service, which operates the central data service Xoserve in Britain. They can provide details of your MPRN based on your address.
Previous tenants or landlords: If you’re renting and do not have access to past bills, you can ask the landlord or previous tenants if they have records, as the MPRN never changes.
Contact your gas supplier: If you know your current gas supplier, you can contact their customer service for assistance. After verifying your identity, they can provide you with the MPRN.
Contact the local distribution company: Your local gas distribution network operator can also help you identify your MPRN. Please provide them with some details about your address and identity.
Online account services: Many business energy suppliers offer online account management. If you have an online account with your gas supplier, you can log in and view your MPRN on your account dashboard or in the details of your service agreement.
Meter inspection: The MPRN is sometimes physically printed on the business gas meter or attached to a sticker. You can check the meter, usually outside the building or in a utility area like a basement or garage.

Is the meter number the same as MPRN?

The Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) and the meter number serve distinct purposes in the gas supply system.

While the meter number identifies the physical gas meter at a property, which is useful for maintenance and hardware tracking, the MPRN is a unique administrative code essential for overseeing the gas supply at each property.

These identifiers ensure that gas management’s physical and logistical aspects are handled efficiently and accurately.