What are MPRN Numbers?

What is an MPRN?

An MPRN stands for Meter Point Reference Number. It is a unique 6 to 10-digit number that identifies your specific gas supply point on the national gas network in Great Britain. It contains digits only^[1]

Every property connected to the mains gas network has an MPRN. The number is permanently tied to the physical location of the pipes at your property. It does not belong to you as a customer, and it does not belong to the physical gas meter sitting in your cupboard or on your outside wall. If you move house, you leave the MPRN behind. If you get a new gas meter installed, the MPRN stays exactly the same.

Ofgem, the independent energy regulator for Great Britain, requires all licensed gas suppliers and Meter Asset Managers to use the MPRN system. This tracks every gas supply point across the country. By using a single, unchanging number for your property, suppliers can make sure they are billing the correct address for the exact amount of gas used.

The gas network is a complex system of underground pipes. The MPRN identifies the supply meter point in industry records; it does not itself mark a physical boundary at the property. Because it clearly marks this physical spot, energy companies can quickly find your property on the national database without any confusion over similar addresses or flat numbers.

How to find your MPRN

You will usually only need to find your MPRN when you decide to switch your gas supplier, when you move into a new property, or if your supplier is struggling to match your address on their system. Finding it is usually a quick process.

The easiest place to look is on a recent gas bill. It does not matter if you receive paper bills in the post or download digital copies from your online account. The number is usually printed on the first or second page. You should look for a heading that says "Meter Point Reference Number", "Supply Point Number", or sometimes just the letter "M". Underneath or next to this, you will see the 6 to 10-digit number.

If you have just moved into a new home and do not have a bill yet, you have other options. You can use the free "Find My Supplier" online tool, which is managed by the Meter Point Administration Service. This tool searches the national database using your postcode and house number.

If you prefer to speak to someone, you can call the UK Meter Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524. However, you should be aware that calls to this number cost around 7p a minute, plus your phone company’s standard access charge. Citizens Advice can also help you find your MPRN if you know your full address and postcode.

Why energy suppliers need your MPRN

The main reason suppliers ask for your MPRN is to ensure accurate billing and smooth switching. The national database allows energy companies to match the correct gas usage to the correct property. In most standard house moves or switches, the supplier will find your MPRN automatically on the national database using your address.

However, automatic address matching does not always work. This is a very common problem in split flats, converted houses, or newly built estates where the post office address formats might vary slightly. For example, if you live in "Flat A, 12 High Street", the database might list it as "Ground Floor Flat, 12 High Street". If the supplier guesses and picks the wrong one, they might take over the gas supply for your neighbour instead.

Providing your exact MPRN cuts through this confusion. It tells the new supplier exactly which pipe feeds your home. This prevents crossed meters, stops you from paying for someone else’s gas, and ensures your switch goes through without delays.

Having your MPRN to hand can help you complete an application without delays if a supplier needs to resolve an address mismatch.

The difference between your MPRN, MPAN, and MSN

The energy industry uses several different numbers to track your supply, and it is easy to mix them up. The three most common numbers you will see on your bills or meters are the MPRN, the MPAN, and the MSN. Each serves a completely different purpose.

Your MPRN tracks your gas supply point. Your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) tracks your electricity supply point. Your MSN (Meter Serial Number) tracks the physical piece of equipment sitting in your home.

Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) is an electricity-market programme. It does not change gas MPRNs, and its migration and new settlement timetable extend into 2027.

Independent Gas Transporters (IGTs)

When you find your MPRN on your bill, take a look at the first two digits. If your number begins with 74, 75, 76 or 77, it means your home is supplied by an Independent Gas Transporter (IGT).^[1]

Most homes in Great Britain are connected directly to the main national gas network, which is run by large regional operators like Cadent or Wales & West Utilities. However, in some newer housing developments or rural areas, a private company built the local pipes that connect the estate to the main network. This private company is the IGT.

You can still switch suppliers freely if you have an IGT connection. The switching process works exactly the same way. However, it is worth comparing a few different quotes, as some suppliers absorb the extra IGT costs themselves, while others pass them on to you in the form of higher daily rates.

What if you do not have an MPRN?

If your property does not have an MPRN, it means it is not currently connected to the mains gas network. This is common for brand-new builds, rural properties that rely on oil or heat pumps, or older homes that have only ever used electricity.

To get an MPRN, you need to apply for a new gas connection through your local Gas Distribution Network (GDN). The GDN will check if there is a gas main nearby. If there is, they will give you a quote to lay the pipes from the street to your property. Once you accept the quote and the work is scheduled, the network will generate a brand-new MPRN for your address.

Getting a new gas connection is not free. For a standard domestic connection, typical costs range from roughly £2,000 to £4,000. However, depending on your local network and how much digging is required, quotes can start at around £3,912. For business connections, the costs are much higher, ranging from £1,500 to over £50,000 depending on the distance from the main and the complexity of the groundwork.

Once the GDN gives you your new MPRN, you can then contact an energy supplier. You will give the supplier the MPRN, and they will arrange to come out and install the physical gas meter. You cannot have a meter installed until the MPRN has been created.

Government schemes and the Green Gas Levy

Your MPRN does more than just track your bills. The government and Ofgem use it to manage national energy schemes, apply environmental levies, and check eligibility for financial support.

A key example is the Green Gas Levy, which funds support for biomethane injected into the gas grid. It is a levy obligation on licensed fossil-fuel gas suppliers, calculated using the number of meter points they serve.

A property can have more than one gas supply and therefore more than one MPRN, but suppliers—not households—are responsible for the levy. Contact your supplier or network operator before arranging changes to an unused supply.

The Energy Bills Discount Scheme was a temporary scheme for non-domestic customers and closed on 31 March 2024. Requirements for current energy-efficiency grants vary by scheme, so check the relevant administrator’s guidance.

What to do if you suspect your MPRN is wrong

Sometimes, the MPRN listed on your gas bill might be wrong. This usually happens in blocks of flats where the meters are all kept in a single communal cupboard. If the supplier links your flat to your neighbour’s MPRN, you will end up paying for their gas usage, and they will pay for yours. This is known as a crossed meter.

If you look at your bills and the amount of gas you are being charged for seems completely out of line with what you actually use, a crossed meter might be the cause. If the meter continues to move after all your gas appliances are turned off, contact your supplier. Do not turn off the emergency control valve as a diagnostic test; use it only in an emergency or if you are advised to do so.

If you suspect this has happened, you should contact your current gas supplier immediately. You will need to explain that you think your MPRN is linked to the wrong address. The supplier will send an engineer to trace the pipes and perform a "live/dead check". Once they confirm which pipe feeds which flat, they will update the national database to ensure your account is linked to the correct MPRN going forward.