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How to Top Up Three Pay As You Go

Three is one of the four UK mobile network operators (MNOs), and topping up its Pay As You Go SIMs takes only a few minutes whichever method you choose.

Three PAYG Min top-up £10 Updated May 2026

Three is one of the four UK mobile network operators (MNOs), and topping up its Pay As You Go SIMs takes only a few minutes whichever method you choose. As an MNO, Three runs its own masts, transmitters and core network, which means PAYG customers get the same coverage and 5G access as the network's contract customers. Three has historically been the most generous of the MNOs on data, often including unlimited data in its bundles at price points where rival networks cap allowances at 50 or 100GB. That generosity carries through to its PAYG add-ons too. There are five ways to top up: online at three.co.uk, through the My3 app, with a top-up voucher bought from a UK retailer, in person at a Three store or PayPoint shop, or by enabling auto top-up so credit is added on a regular schedule.

Once you have credit, you can either pay per minute, text and MB at standard PAYG rates, or buy one of Three's PAYG add-ons - 30-day bundles of data, calls and texts that work out far cheaper if you use your phone at all regularly. Add-ons include 5G access on supported phones at no extra cost, plus EU roaming within fair use limits on the higher tiers. Credit on Three PAYG lasts 6 months from your last top-up, so a small top-up twice a year keeps the SIM and number active.

Three is best known for its SIM-only contracts that include unlimited data on long-term plans for a very low monthly price, so if you find yourself topping up the same amount every month, switching to a contract often saves a meaningful amount versus PAYG. You can keep your existing number when switching by getting a free PAC code from Three first. This guide covers every top-up method, current add-on pricing, voucher locations and the most common questions Three PAYG users have.

How to top up Three

There are five ways to add credit to a Three PAYG SIM. Pick whichever suits you - they all credit your number within a minute.

1

Top up Three online

The simplest way to top up Three is at three.co.uk/topup. Enter the Three mobile number you want to top up, choose an amount between £10 and £50, and pay by debit or credit card. Credit is normally applied within a minute and you do not need to log in to top someone else up. If you have a My3 account, signing in lets you save card details, view your top-up history and select a PAYG add-on in the same flow. Online top-up accepts Visa, Mastercard and Maestro. There is no fee, and you can top up your own number or any other Three PAYG number from the same page.

Visit Three top-up page

2

Top up via the My3 app

My3 is Three's mobile app and the easiest way to manage a PAYG SIM day to day. Download My3 from the App Store or Google Play, sign in with your Three mobile number, and tap Top Up on the home screen. You can pay with a saved card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, with credit applied immediately. The app also shows how much data, calls and texts are left in your current add-on, when it expires, and lets you choose a different add-on for next month. You can switch on auto top-up and view your usage history from the same screens.

3

Three top-up voucher

Three top-up vouchers are sold at thousands of UK shops and let you add credit without using a bank card. Vouchers are available in £10, £15, £20, £30 and £50 amounts, with some retailers also stocking £5 vouchers. To redeem, dial 444 free from your Three phone and enter the voucher code, or visit three.co.uk/topup and enter the code online. You can also redeem in the My3 app under Top Up. Vouchers are useful if you do not have a debit card, want to give credit as a gift, or need to top up a phone that is not yours - the code is on the receipt and just needs to be entered in the same way as a bank-card top-up.

£5 £10 £15 £20 £30 £50
4

Top up in store

Most major UK supermarkets, petrol stations and convenience shops stock Three top-ups, either as printed vouchers or as electronic top-ups loaded directly to your number at the till. Tell the cashier the Three mobile number and the amount, pay in cash or card, and credit appears on the SIM almost immediately. Three high street stores can also process top-ups in person and help you choose an add-on. This method is ideal if you prefer cash or do not have internet access at home.

5

Auto top-up

Auto top-up adds a fixed amount of credit to your Three PAYG number on a schedule, paid from a saved debit or credit card. You can set it to top up the same amount every month or to top up automatically when your balance drops below a threshold. Set it up in the My3 app or your online account under Top Up settings. You can pause, change or cancel auto top-up at any time. This is useful if you keep buying the same add-on each month or use your phone mainly for emergencies and want to avoid the SIM expiring.

Where to buy Three top-up vouchers

Three top-up vouchers are sold at most major UK retailers. Look for them at the till, the customer service desk, or any PayPoint counter.

Post Office Tesco Sainsbury's ASDA Co-op Morrisons WHSmith PayPoint shops Three stores Cash machines (selected)

Three PAYG bundles

A snapshot of the most common 30-day bundles. Always check Three's website for the latest pricing before topping up.

Bundle Price Data
PAYG Add-on £10 £10 4GB
PAYG Add-on £15 £15 12GB
PAYG Add-on £20 £20 30GB
PAYG Add-on £25 £25 100GB
PAYG Unlimited Add-on £35 Unlimited

Bundle pricing and allowances are indicative and may change. See the Three website for the most current details.

Topping up Three every month?

Three is famous for its low-cost SIM-only plans, particularly long-term unlimited-data deals that often beat what you can get on PAYG. If you buy a £15 or £20 add-on every month, a SIM-only contract usually saves a few pounds for the same data and minutes.

See SIM-only deals Compare Three plans

Three PAYG top-up FAQs

How long does my Three PAYG credit last?
Three PAYG credit and your SIM stay active as long as you top up at least once every 6 months. Any top-up or chargeable activity resets the clock. If you do not top up within 180 days, Three may disconnect the SIM and eventually recycle the number, so a small top-up twice a year keeps the account live.
Can I top up someone else's Three PAYG SIM?
Yes. On three.co.uk/topup or in the My3 app, enter the Three mobile number you want to top up rather than your own. The credit is applied directly to that number and you do not need to be logged in. You can also buy a voucher in any shop and pass on the code so they can redeem it themselves.
What is the minimum top-up amount on Three?
The minimum top-up online or in the My3 app is £10. Some retailers and PayPoint shops sell £5 vouchers, which can be redeemed by dialling 444 free from your Three phone.
How do I check my Three PAYG balance?
Dial 444 from your Three phone for an automated balance update at no charge. The My3 app shows your balance, current add-on allowance and expiry date on the home screen. You can also text BALANCE to 444 free of charge.
Will my Three PAYG add-on auto-renew?
Yes, PAYG add-ons are set to auto-renew each 30-day cycle by default if you have enough credit on the account when the add-on expires. If renewal fails because of low credit, your account just falls back to standard PAYG rates until you top up again. You can switch off auto-renew in the My3 app or by dialling 444 and following the prompts.
Can I get 5G on a Three PAYG SIM?
Yes, 5G is included on most Three PAYG add-ons at no extra cost where 5G coverage is available, provided you have a 5G-capable phone. Three has built one of the largest 5G networks in the UK and offers 5G to PAYG users on the same terms as contract customers.