The phone number to pay your PG&E bill is 1-800-743-5000

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) operates a phone payment line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you call 1-800-743-5000, an automated system will walk you through entering your account number and payment amount. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. The system confirms your payment before you hang up, and you receive a confirmation number you should write down.

This phone line is free to use — PG&E does not charge a fee for paying by phone. The payment posts to your account the same business day if you call before 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a weekday. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-743-5000 anytime to pay by phone; the automated system works 24/7 with no fee.
  • Have your account number and payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account) ready before you call.
  • The system gives you a confirmation number when ready — save this in case you need to verify the payment later.
  • Payments made before 5 p.m. Pacific Time on weekdays post the same day; weekend and evening payments post the next business day.
  • If you prefer to speak with a representative instead of using the automated system, you can stay on the line after the menu prompts.

What information you need before calling

Gather these details before you dial so the call moves quickly. You will need your PG&E account number, which appears on your bill in the upper right corner. If you do not have a bill in front of you, you can look up your account number on the PG&E website by signing into your account, or you can provide your service address instead and the system will find your account.

You will also need the payment method you want to use. If paying with a debit or credit card, have the card number, expiration date, and three-digit security code ready. If paying from a bank account, have your routing number and account number available — these appear on the bottom left of your checks, or you can ask your bank for them.

How the automated payment system works

When you call 1-800-743-5000, the system asks you to enter your account number using your phone keypad. It then tells you your current balance and asks how much you want to pay. You can pay the full amount due, a partial amount, or an amount toward a past-due balance.

Next, the system asks you to choose your payment method and enter the relevant details. For cards, you type in the number and expiration date. For bank accounts, you enter your routing and account numbers. The system confirms all the information back to you before processing the payment. Once you confirm, the payment is submitted and you receive a confirmation number — write this down or take a photo of your phone screen.

The entire process usually takes three to five minutes. If at any point you want to speak with a person instead of continuing with the automated system, you can press 0 or say "representative" and a PG&E customer service agent will pick up.

When payments post and what to expect

Payments made by phone post to your account according to the time you call. If you call between 12:01 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a Monday through Friday, your payment posts that same day. If you call after 5 p.m. or on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, your payment posts the next business day.

After your payment posts, it reduces your account balance. If you were past due, the payment stops late fees from accruing further, though any late fees already charged remain on your account unless PG&E removes them separately. You can check whether your payment has posted by calling the same number again, logging into your PG&E online account, or waiting for your next bill.

Paying by phone versus other methods

Paying by phone works well if you need to pay quickly and do not want to set up an online account or mail a check. There is no fee, it is available around the clock, and you get a confirmation number when ready. The downside is that you cannot schedule a future payment through the automated system — you can only pay for what is due now.

If you want to set up automatic payments or pay a bill that is not due yet, the PG&E website or mobile app are better options. If you prefer not to enter payment information over the phone, you can mail a check to the address on your bill, pay in person at a PG&E payment center, or use a third-party payment service like Western Union or MoneyGram (though these charge fees). The phone line remains the fastest free option if you need to pay today.

If you have trouble with your phone payment

If the automated system does not recognize your account number, try entering your service address instead — the system can look up your account that way. If the system rejects your payment method, the card or bank account may have been flagged for fraud protection, or there may be insufficient funds. Call your bank or card issuer to check, then try the payment again.

If you receive a confirmation number but the payment does not appear on your account within two business days, call 1-800-743-5000 again and speak with a representative. Have your confirmation number ready. They can verify whether the payment was processed and, if there was an error, help you resubmit or investigate what happened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's PG&E bill using this phone number?

Yes, if you know their account number. The system does not verify who is calling, only that the account number is valid. However, if you are not the account holder, you may want to confirm with them first that they want you to make the payment.

What if I do not have a debit card or credit card?

You can pay from a bank account directly using your routing and account numbers. You do not need a card. If you do not have a bank account, you can mail a check, pay in person at a PG&E payment center, or use a third-party payment service.

Is there a limit to how much I can pay by phone?

PG&E does not publish a specific limit for phone payments. If the system rejects an unusually large amount, try paying in two separate transactions, or contact a representative at 1-800-743-5000 to pay a very large balance.

Do I need to create an online account to pay by phone?

No. The phone payment system is separate from the online account system. You can pay by phone without ever creating an online account, as long as you have your account number or service address.

What happens if I pay more than I owe?

The overpayment stays on your account as a credit and reduces your next bill. You can also request a refund by contacting PG&E, though the credit is usually more convenient if you expect another bill soon.