What Is an MPAN and MPRN Number?
The complete guide for UK business owners - find, decode and use these two numbers to cut your energy bills by up to 45%.
If you have ever tried to switch your business energy supplier and been asked for your MPAN or MPRN number, you already know the frustration. You dig through old bills, call your landlord, or give up - and that indecision costs your business money every single month.
This guide exists to fix that. Written exclusively for UK business owners, it explains exactly what these numbers are, where to find them, and how to use them to secure a genuinely competitive energy tariff.
At Lloyd Energy, we handle this for hundreds of businesses every year. Our Premium Consultants eliminate the complexity so you can focus on running your business, not decoding 21-digit codes.
The Saving Opportunity
Businesses switching energy supplier through Lloyd Energy save up to 45% on their bills. The only thing standing between you and that saving is two reference numbers - and this guide will help you find them in minutes.
What Is an MPAN Number? (Electricity)
MPAN stands for Meter Point Administration Number. You may also see it called a Supply Number or 'S Number'. It is a 21-digit reference code assigned permanently to the electricity supply point at your property - not to your meter, and not to you as a customer.
Think of the MPAN as the postcode for your building's electrical connection. It belongs to the wires and cables running into your premises, not the box on the wall.
Key Facts About Your MPAN
- It is unique to your property's electricity connection point, not to you as a customer.
- It stays the same even if you switch energy supplier dozens of times.
- It changes only if you move to different premises.
- It is displayed as a 21-digit grid starting with the letter 'S' on your electricity bill.
- It is not the same as your Meter Serial Number (MSN), which identifies the physical box on your wall.
Lloyd Energy Expert Tip
Never look at the physical meter box for your MPAN. The number printed on the meter is the Meter Serial Number (MSN) - a completely different code. Your MPAN is always found on your energy bill.
What Is an MPRN Number? (Gas)
MPRN stands for Meter Point Reference Number. Sometimes called the 'M Number', it performs the same role as the MPAN but for your gas supply. It permanently identifies the gas supply point at your property. Ready to compare your business gas tariff? Visit our business gas comparison page to see live 2026 prices.
Key Facts About Your MPRN
- It is between 6 and 10 digits long - far simpler in appearance than the MPAN.
- It is tied to your gas pipes and connection infrastructure, not to your supplier or contract.
- It appears on your gas bill as a standalone number, labelled 'Meter Point Reference Number' or 'MPRN'.
- Like the MPAN, it persists through supplier switches but changes if you move premises.
Important for Businesses:
Dual fuel tariffs combining gas and electricity into one contract are exclusively for domestic (residential) customers. Your gas and electricity contracts must be managed separately - even if you use the same supplier for both. Lloyd Energy handles both negotiations simultaneously on your behalf.
MPAN vs. MPRN vs. Meter Serial Number - What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most common points of confusion. These three numbers look similar on a bill but serve completely different purposes. Mixing them up is one of the most common reasons a supplier switch gets delayed.
| Feature | MPAN | MPRN | Meter Serial No. (MSN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it identifies | Electricity supply point | Gas supply point | Physical meter device |
| Changes when? | You move premises | You move premises | Meter is replaced or upgraded |
| Found where? | On your bill (grid format) | On your bill (plain number) | On the meter itself + bill |
| Format | 21 digits starting with 'S' | 6–10 digits | Mix of letters & numbers |
| Needed to switch? | ✓ Yes - electricity | ✓ Yes - gas | Not usually required |
Practical Rule
Use your MPAN and MPRN when getting quotes or switching suppliers. Use your Meter Serial Number only when a meter engineer visits your site for installation, testing, or replacement.
Where to Find Your MPAN and MPRN Numbers
Most guides simply say "check your bill." That is correct - but it is not always possible, particularly if you have just moved into new premises or your previous supplier has closed.
Option 1 - Your Most Recent Energy Bill (Fastest Route)
- Electricity bill: Look for a box labelled 'Supply Number', 'MPAN', or 'S Number'. It appears as a grid of digits, typically starting with a large 'S'.
- Gas bill: Look for 'Meter Point Reference Number' or 'MPRN'. It will be a shorter standalone number of 6 to 10 digits.
- Both are found in the 'Supply Details', 'Meter Details', or 'Details of Charges' section.
Option 2 - Your Smart Meter In-Home Display
If your business has a smart meter, navigate to the 'Meter Information' or 'Technical Details' menu on the in-home display. Look for a 'Supply' or 'Meter Point' section. Note: this is not available on all models.
Option 3 - Contact Your Current Supplier
Your current supplier is legally obligated to provide your MPAN and MPRN on request. Have your account number ready. They cannot refuse this request.
Option 4 - Your Landlord or Building Management
If you have just moved into new commercial premises, your landlord, letting agent, or building management company will hold the supply reference numbers for the property.
Option 5 - The Lloyd Energy Concierge Solution
No bill? No problem. Call our team with just your postcode and business name. Our consultants have access to the national supply database and can locate your MPAN and MPRN on your behalf - for free, with no obligation. This is the Lloyd Energy difference: we do the detective work so you don't have to.
📞 0800 208 8301
Decoding Your MPAN: The Business Owner's Energy Code
Unlike the MPRN, your MPAN contains coded information about how you are charged for electricity. Understanding this code can reveal whether you are on the right tariff - or quietly being overcharged.
Your MPAN is split into two rows on your bill. The top row contains your tariff profile. The bottom row identifies your supply location.
The Profile Class - The Most Critical Code for Your Business
The first two digits of your MPAN top row tell suppliers how your business uses electricity. They directly affect the tariff rates you are offered. This is the single most important element of your MPAN.
Meter Time Switch Code (Next 3 Digits)
- Indicates whether you are on a single-rate tariff or a multi-rate tariff such as Economy 7 or Time of Use.
- Businesses that operate across off-peak hours may be overpaying if they are on a single-rate code.
Line Loss Factor Class (Final 3 Digits of Top Row)
- Relates to the efficiency of the electricity network in your area and estimated energy lost during distribution to your property.
- Properties in more remote areas or on older infrastructure typically have a higher loss factor, which affects your unit rate.
The Bottom Row - Your Supply Location
- Distributor ID (first 2 digits): Identifies your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO). Examples: Eastern England (10), London (12), Yorkshire (23).
- Unique Identifier (13 digits): Pinpoints your individual meter connection point within the DNO's network.
Why These Numbers Matter for Your Business
Beyond administrative codes, your MPAN and MPRN are strategic tools. Here is why understanding them leads to smarter energy decisions:
| Business Situation | Why MPAN/MPRN Matters | Risk of Getting It Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Switching supplier | Confirms the exact supply point being transferred | Erroneous transfer - wrong building switched |
| Getting accurate quotes | Allows correct Profile Class tariff matching | Quoted rates that don't reflect real usage |
| Multi-site management | Each site has its own unique code for portfolio contracts | Fragmented billing, missed volume discounts |
| New commercial fit-out | New MPAN/MPRN needed before meter installation | Delays to opening schedule |
| Billing dispute resolution | Confirms correct supply point is being billed | Paying for another building's consumption |
Once you have your numbers ready, use our business electricity comparison tool to find your best available tariff today.
Frequently Asked Questions About MPAN and MPRN Numbers
No. Your MPAN and MPRN are permanently attached to the physical supply infrastructure at your property - the cables and pipes. When you switch supplier, you are only changing the company that manages your billing and contract. The numbers stay exactly the same.
Absolutely not. When you change business energy supplier, there is zero interruption to your gas or electricity. The infrastructure - pipes and cables - remain unchanged. You will simply receive your next bill from a different company, usually at a significantly lower rate.
Yes. Contact Lloyd Energy on 0800 208 8301 with your new postcode and business name. Our consultants can access the national supply database to retrieve your MPAN and MPRN, enabling us to generate accurate quotes immediately - even before your first bill arrives.
No. Installing a smart meter replaces the physical meter box - which changes your Meter Serial Number (MSN) - but your MPAN remains completely unchanged. The MPAN belongs to the supply infrastructure, not the physical device.
Yes. Each physical location has its own unique MPAN and MPRN. Lloyd Energy specialises in multi-site contracts, where we use all of your supply reference numbers to negotiate a consolidated deal - saving significant administration time and often achieving better rates through volume negotiation.
Dual fuel tariffs combining gas and electricity into one contract are exclusively available for domestic (residential) customers. Businesses must manage gas and electricity contracts separately. However, Lloyd Energy can handle both negotiations simultaneously and, where you use the same supplier for both, can often negotiate preferential rates.
