The fastest way to pay PG&E is through their online account portal
You can pay your PG&E bill online by logging into your account at pge.com, selecting the payment option, and entering your payment method. The process takes about five minutes. Payments made before 8 p.m. Pacific time on your due date are posted the same day; payments after that time post the next business day.
You do not need to create a new account if you already have one. If you have never logged in before, you will need your PG&E account number (found on your bill) and either your service address or the phone number associated with your account.
PG&E accepts payments by debit card, credit card, and electronic bank transfer (ACH). There is no fee for ACH payments. Credit and debit card payments carry a fee that varies depending on which card processor you use — typically between 1.5% and 2.5% of the payment amount.
Key Takeaways
- Log in at pge.com with your account number and either your service address or phone number to reach the payment screen.
- ACH (bank transfer) payments have no fee, while credit and debit card payments charge a percentage fee set by the payment processor.
- Payments submitted before 8 p.m. Pacific time post the same day; after 8 p.m. they post the next business day.
- If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page — PG&E will send a reset link to your email or phone.
- You can set up automatic recurring payments so your bill is paid on the same date each month without logging in.
Creating a PG&E online account for the first time
If you have never logged into your PG&E account online, go to pge.com and click "Log In" in the top right corner. Then click "Create Account" or "Register Now" (the exact wording changes occasionally). You will be asked for your account number, which appears on your paper bill or in any email PG&E has sent you.
PG&E will ask you to verify your identity using either your service address or the phone number on file. Once verified, you create a username and password. Your username can be anything you choose; your password must be at least 8 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character (like ! or #).
After you create your account, you can log in immediately and see your current bill, payment history, and usage data. You do not have to wait for an email confirmation.
Logging in when you already have an account
Go to pge.com and click "Log In" in the top right. Enter your username and password. If you have set up two-factor authentication (which PG&E recommends), you will receive a code by text or email and must enter it to complete login.
If you do not remember your username, click "Forgot Username" and enter your account number or service address. PG&E will display your username or send it to your email. If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot Password" and follow the same process — you will receive a link to reset it.
If you cannot remember either your username or password and do not have access to the email or phone number on file, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. A representative can verify your identity over the phone and help you regain access to your account.
Paying your bill once you are logged in
After logging in, look for a button labeled "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment" — it is usually near the top of the page or in the main menu. Click it, and you will see your current bill amount and due date.
Enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full amount due, a partial amount, or more than the amount due (the overpayment becomes a credit on your next bill). Then select your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account (ACH).
If you choose a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. If you choose ACH, enter your bank routing number and account number. PG&E will show you the fee (if any) before you confirm. Review the payment date — you can choose to pay today or schedule the payment for a future date up to 30 days out.
Click "Confirm" or "Submit Payment." You will see a confirmation number on screen and receive an email receipt. Keep the confirmation number in case you need to reference the payment later.
Setting up automatic payments so you do not have to log in each month
Automatic payments remove the step of logging in and paying manually each month. Log into your account, go to "Billing & Payment," and look for "Autopay" or "Automatic Payment." Click to set it up.
Choose your payment method (ACH has no fee; cards have a fee). Choose the date each month when you want the payment to be taken — most people choose the due date or a few days before. PG&E will deduct the full amount due each month automatically.
You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time by logging back in and adjusting your autopay settings. You will still receive a bill each month so you can verify the amount before it is charged.
What to do if your payment does not go through
If your payment is declined, log back into your account and check your payment history. You will see the status of the payment — whether it failed, is pending, or succeeded. If it failed, the reason usually appears (for example, "Card expired" or "Insufficient funds").
Try the payment again with corrected information. If you used a debit or credit card, make sure the card number, expiration date, and CVV are correct. If you used a bank account, verify that your routing number and account number are correct and that your account has sufficient funds.
If the payment fails a second time, try a different payment method. If you continue to have trouble, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. Do not wait until after your due date to resolve this — late payments can result in a late fee or service disconnection notice.
Paying by phone or mail if you prefer not to use the website
You can pay by phone by calling 1-800-743-5000. A representative will take your payment information over the phone. Phone payments are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Credit and debit card payments over the phone carry the same fees as online payments.
You can also mail a check or money order to the address shown on your bill. Write your account number on the check. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach PG&E and post to your account, so send them well before your due date to avoid a late payment.
In-person payments at a local PG&E office or authorized payment location are also an option in some areas. Check pge.com for payment locations near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have an email address to create an account?
You can create an account using a phone number instead of an email. During account creation, choose the phone number option when PG&E asks how you want to receive communications. You will receive a text message with a verification code instead of an email.
Can I pay someone else's PG&E bill using their account number?
Yes. You do not need to log into their account. Go to pge.com, click "Pay Without Logging In," and enter the account number you want to pay. You can then pay that bill using your own payment method. The payment will post to that account.
Is it safe to enter my bank account information on the PG&E website?
PG&E uses encryption to protect your banking information. ACH payments (bank transfers) are processed through a secure third-party payment processor. Your bank account information is not stored on the PG&E website after the payment is complete — it is deleted after processing.
What happens if I pay more than my bill amount?
The overpayment becomes a credit on your account and is applied to your next bill. You can request a refund of the credit by calling 1-800-743-5000, though PG&E may take 4 to 6 weeks to process it.
Can I schedule a payment for a date after my due date?
Yes, but you will incur a late fee if the payment posts after your due date. It is better to schedule the payment for on or before the due date. If you have already missed the due date, pay as soon as possible to minimize additional late fees.