MPRN
What is an MPRN?
If you’ve ever switched gas supplier, set up a new lease, or had to chase a billing query, someone will have asked you for your MPRN. It’s the unique number that identifies your gas supply point. Every gas-connected site in Great Britain has one, every supplier needs it to send you a quote, and every meter exchange or new connection generates one.
On this page
The MPRN sits at the heart of UK business gas billing and switching. It’s the gas equivalent of the electricity MPAN. For a deeper walk-through with screenshots of where to find yours, see our guide to finding your business gas MPRN and the breakdown in decoding your business gas bill.
What an MPRN actually is
The MPRN, sometimes called the M Number, is the unique identifier for a gas supply point in Great Britain. Every meter that draws from the national gas network is tied to one. It’s how suppliers, gas transporters, shippers, and the central settlement systems all know which site they’re talking about.
The MPRN belongs to the supply point, not the meter. If your gas meter gets swapped, the MPRN stays the same. If you change supplier, the MPRN stays the same. If the site changes occupier under a change of tenancy, the MPRN still stays the same. It’s tied to the physical pipe connection at the property.
MPRN structure
MPRNs are between 6 and 10 digits long, depending on when the supply point was registered. Older meter points often have shorter numbers; newer connections tend to be longer.
Unlike the electricity MPAN, the MPRN is just a single line of numbers. There’s no top line with profile class or settlement metadata baked in. That information is held separately against the meter point in Xoserve‘s central system.
You might also see the term ‘M Number’ used by some suppliers. It’s the same thing. The official label is MPRN.
Where to find your MPRN
The most reliable spot is your gas bill. It’s printed near the top of the bill, usually labelled MPRN or Meter Point Reference. A more detailed walk-through is in our guide on finding your business gas MPRN number, which shows where to look on the most common UK supplier bill layouts.
If you don’t have a recent bill, you can call the M Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524 with the site postcode and address. The line is run by the gas industry centrally and any caller can request the MPRN for a site they’re connected to.
Suppliers also pull the MPRN automatically when quoting, using your address against Xoserve‘s records. Most quotes go out without the customer needing to provide it.
MPRN vs MPAN
It’s a common mix-up because the names sound similar. They refer to entirely different things.
The MPAN is the unique identifier for an electricity supply point. It’s 21 digits, sometimes 22 under the MHHS topline change rolling out from September 2025, and split into a top line and a 13-digit core.
The MPRN is the unique identifier for a gas supply point. It’s between 6 and 10 digits, all on one line.
A site with both gas and electricity will have both an MPRN and an MPAN. They’re completely separate, managed by different industry bodies, and don’t follow the same format. Confusion between the two is one of the most common reasons quotes get returned for incomplete information.
Why the MPRN matters for switching
A supplier can’t issue an accurate quote without it. The MPRN tells them which gas transporter serves the site, which Local Distribution Zone the supply sits in, and the Annual Quantity on file. All three feed the price.
If you’re rolling off a fixed rate contract into out-of-contract rates, having your MPRN ready cuts the quote-to-contract time down significantly. Without it your broker has to look it up via Xoserve, which adds time.
For switching, the MPRN is the reference your new supplier uses to register the gain. To formally take over the supply point from the previous supplier. The whole switching process keys off this number.
MPRNs on new connections
If you’re putting in a new gas supply at a site that’s never had one, the meter installation process generates the MPRN as part of the connection. The gas transporter assigns it, registers it with Xoserve, and lets your chosen supplier know.
You won’t see it until the connection is live and the first invoice arrives, but it will then stay attached to that supply point indefinitely. New connection MPRNs tend to be at the longer end of the 6 to 10 digit range, simply because the central database has run through millions of meter points over the years.
Common MPRN problems
A few things catch people out:
- Wrong AQ on file. The MPRN is correct, but the Annual Quantity attached to it hasn’t been updated to reflect actual consumption. That can push you onto a contract band that doesn’t match how much gas you actually use.
- Site has two MPRNs. Larger sites sometimes have a separate MPRN for boilers, catering, or production. Each needs its own contract.
- Lost the MPRN at change of tenancy. Outgoing occupier didn’t pass it on, incoming occupier doesn’t have a bill yet. The fix is the M Number Helpline.
- Daily-metered site treated as non-daily. If your site is on daily-metered gas, that’s a different settlement category and your MPRN record needs to reflect it. Errors here can run for months before they get caught in bill validation.
The Energy Ombudsman can step in if a dispute about an MPRN-related billing error stalls with your supplier.
Who manages the MPRN
The MPRN sits in the central gas industry database managed by Xoserve on behalf of the gas distribution networks. Suppliers, shippers, and meter operators all read from and write to that database to keep the meter point records current.
For day-to-day operational changes. Meter exchanges, capacity upgrades, settlement category updates. The request goes through your supplier or a Meter Operator (MOP), who in turn updates Xoserve’s record.
Frequently asked questions
What does MPRN stand for?
Meter Point Reference Number. It is sometimes called the M Number. It is the unique identifier for a gas supply point in Great Britain.
Where do I find my MPRN?
On your gas bill, usually labelled MPRN or Meter Point Reference near the top. You can also call the M Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524, or your supplier can look it up against the site postcode.
What is the difference between an MPRN and an MPAN?
The MPRN identifies a gas supply point. The MPAN identifies an electricity supply point. They follow different formats and are managed by different industry bodies. A site with both fuels will have both numbers.
How many digits is an MPRN?
Between 6 and 10 digits. Older meter points tend to have shorter numbers; newer connections tend to be longer. Modern MPRNs assigned to new connections are usually 9 or 10 digits.
Is the MPRN the same as the meter serial number?
No. The Meter Serial Number is stamped on the meter hardware itself. The MPRN identifies the supply point the meter sits on. Replacing the meter changes the MSN but leaves the MPRN unchanged.
Does the MPRN change if I switch supplier?
No. The MPRN stays the same. Switching supplier transfers the registration of that supply point from one supplier to another, but the MPRN itself does not change.
Does the MPRN change if my meter is replaced?
No. The MPRN is tied to the supply point, not the meter. A meter swap leaves the MPRN unchanged.
How do I get a new MPRN for a new gas connection?
The MPRN is generated by the gas transporter as part of the new connection process and registered against your address in the Xoserve central database. You will see it on your first invoice.
Who manages the MPRN database?
Xoserve manages the central gas industry database on behalf of the gas distribution networks. Suppliers, shippers and meter operators read from and write to it to keep meter point records current.
My MPRN has the wrong Annual Quantity. How do I fix it?
Contact your supplier with a recent meter read or 12 months of consumption data. They can request an AQ correction through Xoserve. The corrected AQ will be reflected on your next renewal quote.
Can a site have more than one MPRN?
Yes. Larger sites sometimes have a separate MPRN for boilers, catering, or production. Each MPRN is a separate supply point requiring its own contract.
What is the M Number Helpline?
It is a UK gas industry phone line on 0870 608 1524. Any caller can request the MPRN for a site they have access to, by providing the address and postcode.
Xoserve central data services (xoserve.com) · Ofgem (ofgem.gov.uk)