How to Read Your Electric Meter

There are several types of electric meters. The most common are digital and dial.

Download the 'Reading Your Electric Meter' brochurePDF

I Have a Dial Meter...
The hands or arrows on each dial turn like clocks. Some of the hands on the dials turn clockwise while the others turn counterclockwise. Each clock dial has the digits 0 through 9.
When you read a dial meter, remember:
  • Read the dials right to left.
  • If the hand/arrow is between two numbers always record the lower number.
  • If the arrow points between 9 and 0, always record the reading as 9.
  • The dial to the right will determine when the dial to the left advances to the next number.

Dial Meter

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I Have a Digital Meter...
 Simply read the meter and submit the numbers you see. Here’s an example of a digital meter: This reading would be 4546.
Digital Meter

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I Have Off-Peak Pricing...
If you participate in LIPA’s Off Peak Pricing, you have a special type of meter that must be read by a LIPA Meter Reader. Digital off-peak meters have one set of dials and a display reading. The dials indicate total cumulative energy use. The display reading shows cumulative energy use during different times of the day.

Help Our Meter Readers Serve You Better
We work hard to read your meter before we send a statement to you. Your next scheduled meter reading is shown on every statement you receive. Learn more about your electric meter with LIPA's electric meter facts!

Last Updated: 11/17/2009