How to Find TESCO Reference Number — Where is it on Your Bill?
Quick Answer: The TESCO reference number is a 14-digit number on the top-right of your bill labeled "Ref. No." — directly above the barcode. It contains only digits, no letters.
If you're trying to check your Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO) electricity bill online — whether you live in Bajaur, Kurram, Khyber, Mohmand, Orakzai, North Waziristan, or South Waziristan — you need a 14-digit reference number to retrieve it. Without this number, no online bill checker (including ours) can locate your account. The good news is that once you find your reference number on any previous bill, it stays the same forever — so you only need to find it once. This guide shows you exactly where on the bill to look, what the number looks like, and what to do if you've lost all your previous bills.
Where Exactly is the TESCO Reference Number?
On every TESCO electricity bill, look at the top section of the page. On the right side, you will find a bold number labeled "Ref. No." or "Reference No." — this is your 14-digit reference number. It is always printed directly above or next to the barcode on the bill, in the same position across all TESCO billing cycles.
// TESCO Bill — Top Right Section
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ TESCO Electricity Bill │
│ Consumer: [Your Name] │
│ District: Bajaur │
│ ┌──────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Ref. No: 01234567890123 │ │ ← Here!
│ │ Customer ID: 1234567890 │ │
│ └──────────────────────────┘ │
│ [████████ BARCODE ████████] │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
The reference number is printed in bold, larger font than surrounding text so it stands out. On older TESCO bills (pre-2020), it may appear slightly lower — between the address and the meter details — but always on the right side, labeled the same way.
What Does the TESCO Reference Number Look Like?
- Always exactly 14 digits — never more, never less
- Only numbers — no letters (A, B, C) or dashes
- Example:
01234567890123 - Printed in bold near the top-right of your bill
- Labeled "Ref. No." or "Reference No."
- Stays the same every month (only changes if WAPDA reassigns your meter to a different feeder)
- Always begins with a digit between 0 and 5 (TESCO uses prefix 0–5 for tribal-area connections)
Can't Find Your TESCO Reference Number?
If you've lost your previous bills or can't locate the reference number, here are the steps to recover it:
1. Check any old bill
Your reference number never changes. Any previous TESCO bill — even one from 3 years ago — will have the same reference number. Ask a family member, neighbor, or landlord if they have an old bill.
2. Use your Customer ID instead
The 10-digit TESCO Customer ID also works on our bill checker. Click the "Customer ID" tab on pakistanbill.online/tesco-bill/ and enter your 10-digit ID. The Customer ID is printed right below the reference number on every bill.
3. Call TESCO helpline 111-111-117
Provide your CNIC number and address. The customer service representative can retrieve your reference number after verifying your identity. Have your CNIC ready.
4. Visit your nearest TESCO circle office
Bring your CNIC and proof of residence (utility bill in your name, tenancy agreement). The circle office can issue a duplicate bill printout with your reference number on it.
TESCO Reference Number vs Customer ID
TESCO bills show two different identifiers for each consumer. Understanding the difference helps avoid confusion:
| Feature | Reference Number | Customer ID |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 14 digits | 10 digits |
| Position on bill | Top-right (above barcode) | Top-right (below reference) |
| Changes over time? | Only if feeder reassigned | Never |
| Used for | Online bill check, payment | Account identification, complaints |
| Works on our checker? | Yes (default tab) | Yes (Customer ID tab) |
| Accepted at banks? | Yes | No — banks need reference |
Common Mistakes When Entering the Reference Number
- Missing leading zero: When copy-pasting, the first "0" often gets cut off. Always count the digits — must be exactly 14.
- Entering the Customer ID by mistake: Customer ID is 10 digits and won't work in the reference number field. Use the Customer ID tab instead.
- Confusing meter number with reference number: Meter number is printed separately on the bill, usually near the bottom, and starts with letters like "TES-". Reference number is digits-only.
- Entering dashes or spaces: The system rejects special characters. Enter 14 digits without any separators.
- Using the previous month's reference: The reference number stays the same every month, so this isn't actually a mistake — but don't use a reference number from a different consumer (each has a unique number).