An MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number) is the unique identifier assigned to every gas supply point in Great Britain. Think of it as the postcode for your gas meter: it identifies the specific meter at your address on the national gas network, regardless of which supplier provides the gas.

Every business gas meter has one. It does not change when you switch supplier, renegotiate a contract, or the property changes hands. Unlike your account number, which belongs to your supplier, your MPRN belongs to the meter point itself.

Where to Find Your MPRN Number

Your MPRN appears in several places:

On your gas bill or invoice – usually labelled “MPRN”, “Meter Point Reference Number”, or “Gas Supply Number”

On your gas meter – printed on a sticker on the meter body itself

In your current supplier’s welcome letter or online account

If you cannot find it on your bill or meter, your gas distribution network operator can look it up using your address. Your current supplier, or a prospective new supplier, can also retrieve it via Xoserve, the central data services provider for Great Britain’s gas market.

What Does an MPRN Number Look Like?

An MPRN is a string of up to 10 digits. For example: 2558490504. It may appear with or without the “MPR:” prefix on bills and meters, but the number itself is purely numerical.

If your MPRN begins with 74 or 75, your site is connected to an Independent Gas Transporter (IGT) network rather than the main National Grid distribution network. IGT networks are typically found on private industrial estates and business parks.

Supply via an IGT can carry different charges, and not all suppliers quote for IGT-supplied sites – worth confirming before going to market for a new contract.

MPRN vs MPAN: What Is the Difference?

An MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is the electricity equivalent of an MPRN. Every business electricity meter has a unique 21-digit MPAN, just as every gas meter has an MPRN. If you are switching or comparing both electricity and gas, you will need both numbers. Our guide to what an MPAN number is covers the electricity side in more detail.

Why You Need Your MPRN

Your MPRN is required whenever you:

> Switch business gas supplier – the new supplier registers the supply using your MPRN

> Request a business gas quote – suppliers use your MPRN to pull your consumption history via Xoserve

> Set up a new contract at new premises – confirms the correct meter is being contracted

> Report a gas emergency or meter fault to your distribution network

How Catalyst Can Help

If you are unable to locate your MPRN or are unsure what it means for your energy procurement, Catalyst can look it up and guide you through the switching process. As an independent energy consultant, we manage gas procurement for UK businesses across all meter types, including IGT-supplied sites.

Get in touch with Catalyst to review your business gas contract