The invention relates to a photoelectric direct-reading meter which comprises: a single digit print wheel, an infrared transmitting tube, an infrared receiving tube, an object (C) which is located on print wheel side, in an irregular shape and shares a same axis with the print wheel. The infrared transmitting tube emits infrared rays and the infrared receiving tube receives the infrared rays reflected by the C. When the distance between the infrared transmitting tube and the C, and the distance between the infrared receiving tube and the C are large, the infrared rays reflected by the C and received by the infrared receiving tube are weak. As the distance between the infrared transmitting tube and the C, and the distance between the infrared receiving tube and the C are shortened, the infrared rays reflected by the C and received by the infrared receiving tube are become stronger. The stronger the light intensity received by the infrared receiving tube is, the smaller the on-resistance is and the greater the current is. When the print wheel is rotated from digit 0 to digit 9, the the distance between the infrared transmitting tube and the C, and the distance between the infrared receiving tube and the C are become shorter, and conduction current of the infrared receiving tube is become greater and greater so that detected voltage of SIGNAL is become higher and higher. An amplitude range is determined according to a size of level amplitude. And then, position of the infrared receiving tube can be determined so that an accurate digit of the print wheel can be obtained.