The UK’s Highest-Circulation Print Newspaper

Fans describe it as: “Free”, “Interesting”, “Helps me keep in touch” and “In touch with ordinary people”.

Type	Freesheet
Format	Tabloid
Founded	1999
Ownership	dmg:media, a Daily Mail and General Trust plc company
Editor	Ted Young
Political Alignment	Centrist
Readership	2,301,000 Daily Print
Circulation	1,326,213 (March 2020) 313,248 (During Covid-19 Restrictions)
Cover Price	Free
Website	https://metro.co.uk

2.3

million average print readership

57%

are ABC1 readers

23

minutes average reading time

53%

between 18-44

Affluence & Income

Metro reaches one of the largest urban, commuter and young-professional audiences in the UK.
Strong AB and C1 representation, with many readers earning above the national average income.
High disposable income among younger professionals living in major cities (especially London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds).

Professional Influence

A significant proportion of Metro readers work in professional, managerial, tech, creative and service-sector roles.
Strong engagement from graduate-level workers and early-career professionals.
Readers influence household and peer purchasing decisions, especially across lifestyle, retail, tech and travel.

Finance & Investment

Metro readers are more likely to use mobile-first banking, online financial tools, and app-based investment platforms.
They index strongly for switching behaviour — broadband, insurance, mobile networks and utilities.
Readers are highly responsive to cost-saving content, digital finance products and flexible financial services.

Home & Property

Many Metro readers live in urban rented accommodation or shared ownership schemes, making them strong prospects for homeware, interiors, furniture, electronics and renter-friendly home solutions.
High spend on lifestyle-driven upgrades such as smart home tech, decor and appliances.
Readers over-index for planning first-time property purchases.

Health & Wellbeing

Metro readers are active, fitness-conscious and heavy consumers of wellness content.
Above-average engagement with gym memberships, sportswear, running, cycling and healthy eating.
Strong interest in mental wellbeing, self-improvement and health information.

Lifestyle & Culture

High interest in events, festivals, entertainment, film, TV, music and dining out.
Younger demographic strongly drives spending on fashion, beauty, grooming and fast-moving lifestyle categories.
Metro readers travel frequently, especially for city breaks, short-haul holidays and experience-led trips.

Technology & Consumer Behaviour

Metro readers are early adopters of smartphones, apps, streaming services, gaming, and smart home devices.
They are digitally driven, research-focused and responsive to online offers and competitions.
Strong engagement with consumer tech, gadgets, wearable devices and subscription services.

Media Habits

Metro is the UK’s most widely distributed free newspaper, with strong daily reach among commuters.
High penetration in transport hubs, workplaces, city centres and universities.
Metro’s digital audience is highly mobile-first, with strong social and app-based engagement.
Readers regularly consume lifestyle, entertainment, money, travel and culture content.

Sources: PAMCo – Publishers Audience Measurement Company (UK) Kantar TGI – Target Group Index (UK) / YouGov Profiles (UK) / ABC – Audit Bureau of Circulation (UK) / DMG Media – Commercial Audience Reports & Media Packs (Metro UK)