How do I read an analog electric meter?

Analog or dial meters were developed in Britain and brought over for use in the U.S. in 1894 by the legendary and infamous Samuel L. Insull. They record electric usage by moving dials that are interlinked. This is why dials alternate between those that spin clockwise and counterclockwise. Each dial advances 1 point when the point on the one to its right completes a full cycle. The dials are arranged from right to left as 1s, 10s, 100s, 1,000s and 10,000s.

It's also why analog meters are read from right to left. So, to read the measurement above correctly, you have to start with the far right.

Dial 1 This is the 1s dial (it moves clockwise). It must complete 10 cycles to move the pointer to its left by 1. Since this one is only halfway between the 1 and 2, you write down "1". Always go with the lower number because the dial must complete a full cycle.

Dial 2 This is the 10s dial (it moves counter-clockwise). Since it is closer to 5 (and the 1s dial is showing "1", you write down "5".

Dial 3 The 100s dial (clockwise again). Since this one is also closer to 5, you record "5".

Dial 4 The 1,000s dial (counter-clockwise). This one is just about to complete a full cycle -- but hasn't yet. For that reason, you write down "9".

Dial 5 The 10,000s dial (clockwise). This dial is just about to be on top of the 8 -- but it's not there yet. It has to wait for Dial 4 to get to hit 0. So, even though this pointer is closer to 8, you still write down "7".

The correct reading is 79,551 kWh.

How Do I Read a Digital Electric Meter?

Digital meters directly measure your usage and display that number on a liquid crystal display.

For example, the meter above shows 57,991 kWh has been used since the meter was installed.