How to Pay Your PG&E Bill Online, by Mail, or by Phone

How to pay your PG&E bill

You can pay your Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) bill through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The fastest way is online through your PG&E account — you can set it up in minutes and the payment posts within one to two business days. If you prefer not to use a computer, you can call PG&E's automated phone line or mail a check to their payment address.

PG&E is the utility company that serves most of Northern and Central California. Your bill arrives monthly and shows your gas and electric usage, charges, and due date. You do not need to wait for a paper bill to pay — you can pay anytime once you have your account number, which appears on your bill or in your online account.

Key Takeaways

• The PG&E website and mobile app let you pay when ready without waiting on hold, and you can set up automatic payments so you never miss a due date.
• Paying by phone through PG&E's automated system takes about five minutes and does not require speaking to a representative.
• Mailing a check works but takes longer — mail it at least one week before the due date so it arrives on time.
• PG&E has payment centers in many communities where you can pay in person with cash, check, or debit card.
• If you are behind on your bill, PG&E offers payment plans that spread the amount over several months.

Paying online through the PG&E website or app

Go to pge.com and sign in to your account, or read the PG&E mobile app from your phone's app store. If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one by entering your account number (found on your bill) and your service address. Once you are logged in, look for "Pay My Bill" or a similar button on the home page.

Enter the amount you want to pay — you can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or a different sum. Choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account (electronic funds transfer). If you use a bank account, the payment is free. Credit and debit card payments usually have a small fee, typically around $1 to $3 depending on the amount. Review the details and confirm the payment. The money will leave your account within one to two business days, though the system shows it as processed when ready.

The PG&E app works the same way and is useful if you want to pay on your phone without opening a web browser. Both the website and app also show your current balance, usage history, and due date, so you can check your account anytime.

Setting up automatic payments

If you want to stop thinking about your bill each month, you can set up automatic payments through your PG&E account. Log in to pge.com, go to "Billing & Payment," and select "Automatic Payment" or "Autopay." Choose whether you want to pay the full balance or a set amount each month, and pick the date the payment should go out — usually around the due date.

Automatic payments draw from your bank account (no fee) or credit card (small fee). You can change or cancel the automatic payment anytime through your account, so you are not locked in. If your bill varies month to month because of seasonal heating or cooling, you can still use autopay — it will charge whatever the balance is on the date you choose.

Paying by phone

Call PG&E's automated payment line at 1-800-743-5000. You will need your account number and a debit card or bank account information. The system will walk you through the steps: enter your account number, confirm your service address, choose the amount to pay, and select your payment method. The call takes about five minutes and you do not have to speak to anyone.

If you prefer to speak with a representative, you can stay on the line after the automated system finishes, though wait times vary. Representatives can also help if you have questions about your bill or need to set up a payment plan.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order for the amount due and mail it to the address shown on your bill. Include your account number on the check so PG&E can match the payment to your account. Mail your payment at least one week before the due date to give it time to arrive — mail can take several days depending on where you live.

Do not send cash by mail. If you are paying from outside California, allow extra time for delivery. You can also pay in person at a PG&E payment center if you prefer to hand over a check or pay with cash.

Paying in person at a PG&E payment center

PG&E has payment centers in many communities throughout Northern and Central California. You can pay with cash, check, or debit card. Find the nearest center by visiting pge.com and searching "payment centers," or call 1-800-743-5000 to ask for locations near you. Hours vary by location, so check before you go.

Paying in person is useful if you do not have a bank account or prefer to use cash. The payment is processed when ready, though it may take one to two business days to show in your account online.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount

If your bill is larger than you can pay right now, contact PG&E before the due date. You can set up a payment plan that spreads the amount over several months. Call 1-800-743-5000 and ask about payment plans, or log into your account online and look for "Payment Arrangements" or similar language.

PG&E also has programs for customers with low income that may lower your bill or help with past-due amounts. These programs have different names and rules depending on where you live in PG&E's service area. Calling 1-800-743-5000 and asking about bill information programs is the fastest way to find out what might be available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my PG&E bill online?

Paying from your bank account through the website or app is free. Credit card and debit card payments have a small fee, usually $1 to $3. Paying by phone, mail, or in person at a payment center is also free.

How long does it take for my payment to show up?

Online and phone payments show as processed right away, but the money may take one to two business days to actually leave your account. Mail and in-person payments also take one to two business days to appear in your account online, plus the time it takes mail to arrive if you are mailing a check.

Can I pay someone else's PG&E bill?

Yes. You can pay online or by phone if you have the account number and service address. You do not need to be the account holder. If you want to set up automatic payments for someone else's account, you will need their account number and online login information, or you can call PG&E to ask about third-party payment options.

What happens if I miss the due date?

PG&E will charge a late fee, usually around 1.5% of the overdue amount. If your bill stays unpaid for about 30 days, PG&E may shut off your service. You can still pay anytime to avoid or stop a shutoff — call 1-800-743-5000 if you are behind and need to discuss options.

Can I pay my bill at a grocery store or convenience store?

Some grocery stores and convenience stores accept bill payments through third-party services, but this is not an official PG&E payment method. Check with your local store to see if they offer bill pay. The safest and fastest way to pay is through pge.com, by phone, by mail, or at an official PG&E payment center.