Introduction
Understanding the UK phone number format is crucial for businesses expanding into the UK market, individuals connecting with contacts in the UK, and anyone needing to make calls to or within the United Kingdom. Incorrectly formatted phone numbers can lead to failed calls, communication breakdowns, and lost opportunities.
This comprehensive guide provides a detailed breakdown of UK phone number components, dialing instructions, common formatting conventions, and best practices to ensure successful communication. My Country Mobile offers reliable international calling solutions, and understanding the UK numbering system is the first step to leveraging those services effectively.
Components of a UK Phone Number
UK phone numbers are comprised of several key parts, each with its own specific function and format. These include the country code, area code (also known as the National Destination Code or NDC), and the local number.
Country Code (+44)
The country code for the United Kingdom is +44. This code is essential when dialing a UK number from outside the UK. It signifies that the call is being routed to the UK’s telecommunications network. Crucially, the +44 replaces the leading ‘0’ that is used when dialing within the UK.
Area Codes (National Destination Code – NDC)
Area codes, or National Destination Codes (NDCs), identify the geographic region or type of service associated with the phone number. UK area codes vary in length, ranging from two to five digits. The length of the area code determines the length of the local number.
Two-Digit Area Codes: These typically cover large cities or wide areas. Examples include:
- 020: London
- 023: Southampton and Portsmouth
- 024: Coventry
- 028: Northern Ireland
- 029: Cardiff
Three-Digit Area Codes: These cover a wider range of areas, including
smaller cities and towns. Examples include:
- 0113: Leeds
- 0114: Sheffield
- 0116: Leicester
- 0117: Bristol
- 0118: Reading
- 0121: Birmingham
- 0131: Edinburgh
- 0141: Glasgow
- 0151: Liverpool
- 0161: Manchester
- + 2 others.
Four-Digit Area Codes: These are more common in smaller towns and rural
areas. Examples include:
- 01204: Bolton
- 01429: Hartlepool
- 01524: Lancaster
- 01684: Malvern
- 01750: Selkirk
- 01808: Tomatin
- + 567 others.
Five-Digit Area Codes: These are less common and often associated with
very rural areas. Examples include:
- 013873: Langholm
- 015394: Hawkshead
- 016977: Brampton (4 & 5 fig.)
- 019467: Gosforth
- + 8 others.
It’s important to note that the length of the area code plus the local number nearly always totals ten digits (excluding the initial ‘0’ or the +44). However, there are some numbers within a small number (around forty) of the 01 area codes, along with some of the numbers within the non-geographic 0800 prefix, which are one digit shorter.
| Area Code | Region/City | Local Number Length | Example (National Format) | Example (International Format) |
| 016977 | Brampton | 4 digits | 016977 2987 | +44 16977 2987 |
| 01298 | Buxton | 5 digits | 01298 84987 | +44 1298 84987 |
| 017687 | Keswick | 5 digits | 017687 55788 | +44 17687 55788 |
| 01750 | Selkirk | 6 digits | 01750 444555 | +44 1750 444555 |
| 0121 | Birmingham | 7 digits | 0121 234 5678 | +44 121 234 5678 |
| 0161 | Manchester | 7 digits | 0161 999 8888 | +44 161 999 8888 |
| 0131 | Edinburgh | 7 digits | 0131 229 1234 | +44 131 229 1234 |
| 0117 | Bristol | 7 digits | 0117 922 4000 | +44 117 922 4000 |
| 020 | London | 8 digits | 020 7946 0000 | +44 20 7946 0000 |
Local Number
The local number is the unique identifier for a specific subscriber line within the area code. The length of the local number depends on the length of the area code. For example:
- London (020) has 8-digit local numbers (e.g., 020 7946 0000).
- Manchester (0161) has 7-digit local numbers (e.g., 0161 999 8888).
- Reading (0118) has 7-digit local numbers (e.g. 0118 946 0000).
- Rugby (01788) has 6-digit local numbers (e.g. 01788 557799).
- Buxton (01298) has both 6-digit and 5-digit local numbers (e.g. 01298 554433 and 01298 84123).
- Langholm (013873) has 5-digit local numbers (e.g. 013873 77533).
- Brampton (016977) has both 5-digit and 4-digit local numbers (e.g. 016977 56789 and 016977 3987).
Mobile Numbers
UK mobile phone numbers always begin with ’07’. When dialing internationally, the ‘0’ is replaced with ‘+44’. A typical UK mobile number looks like this:
- National: 07700 900000
- International: +44 7700 900000
The 07 range has three main purposes. Mobile numbers start 071 to 075, 07624, and 077 to 079. Personal Numbers start 070. Numbers starting 076 (except 07624) are used for pagers.
Non-Geographic Numbers
The UK also uses several non-geographic number ranges for specific purposes:
- 03 Numbers: These are UK-wide numbers often used by charities, public sector organizations, and government departments. Calls to 03 numbers are charged at the same rate as calls to geographic (01 and 02) numbers.
- 0800 and 0808 Numbers: These are freephone numbers, meaning the caller pays nothing.
- 0845 and 0870 Numbers: These are business-rate numbers, and the cost of the call can vary.
- 09 Numbers: These are premium-rate numbers, and the cost of the call can be significantly higher. They are often used for competitions, voting lines, and adult content services. It’s crucial to be aware of the potential charges before calling 0845, 0870, or 09 numbers.
Special Service Numbers
There are also few important service number which are important to remember:
- 111 (NHS non-emergency) *101 (police non-emergency)
- 999/112 (emergency services).
- 105 power cuts and blackouts reporting
- 116xxx helplines of social importance
- 119 NHS COVID helpline
- 159 reporting bank scams and fraud.
| Number Type | Prefix(es) | Description | Example (National) | Example (International) |
| Geographic (Landline) | 01, 02 | Numbers tied to a specific geographic area. | 020 7946 0000 | +44 20 7946 0000 |
| Mobile | 07 | Numbers for mobile phones. | 07700 900000 | +44 7700 900000 |
| UK-Wide (03) | 03 | Calls charged at the same rate as geographic numbers. Used by charities, public sector, and businesses. | 0300 123 4567 | +44 300 123 4567 |
| Freephone | 0800, 0808 | Free for the caller to dial. | 0800 111 2222 | +44 800 111 2222 |
| Business Rate | 0845, 0870 | Cost of the call can vary; check with your provider. | 0845 123 4567 | +44 845 123 4567 |
| Premium Rate | 09 | High call charges; often used for competitions, voting, and adult content. | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Special Number | 111,101,999,112 | Number for the special Services. | 111 | 111 |
How to Dial a UK Phone Number
The dialing process depends on whether you are calling from within the UK or from another country.
Dialing Within the UK
When calling from within the UK, you dial the area code (including the leading ‘0’) followed by the local number.
- Example (London): 020 7946 0000
- Example (Mobile): 07700 900000
Dialing from Outside the UK
When calling from outside the UK, you must use the +44 country code and drop the leading ‘0’.
- Example (London): +44 20 7946 0000
- Example (Mobile): +44 7700 900000
Step-by-Step Instructions (International):
- Dial the international access code for your country (e.g., 011 from the US and Canada, 00 from most of Europe).
- Dial the UK country code: 44
- Dial the area code (without the leading ‘0’).
- Dial the local number.
| Country | Exit Code | UK Country Code | Example (London Number) |
| United States | 011 | 44 | 011 44 20 7946 0000 |
| Canada | 011 | 44 | 011 44 20 7946 0000 |
| Australia | 0011 | 44 | 0011 44 20 7946 0000 |
| Most of Europe | 00 | 44 | 00 44 20 7946 0000 |
Formatting Conventions and Best Practices
Properly formatting UK phone numbers improves readability and reduces the risk of dialing errors.
National Formatting
Within the UK, it’s common to use spaces to separate the area code and the local number. For example:
- 020 7946 0000
- 0161 999 8888
- 07700 900000
International Formatting
For international display, use the plus sign (+) followed by the country code, and then spaces to separate the number groups. For example:
- +44 20 7946 0000
- +44 161 999 8888
- +44 7700 900000
Avoid using parentheses or hyphens, as these can cause confusion with some phone systems.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Keeping the ‘0’ when dialing internationally: This is the most common mistake. Remember to drop the leading ‘0’ when using the +44 country code.
- Incorrect Spacing: Using inconsistent or no spacing makes the number harder to read and can lead to errors.
- Confusing Area Codes: Double-check the area code to ensure you are calling the correct location.
- Forgetting the Country Code: When dialing internationally, the +44 country code is essential.
Common Scenarios and Problems
Scenario 1: You’re a US-based business trying to call a London office.
- Problem: You dial 020 7946 0000, but the call doesn’t connect.
- Solution: You need to dial 011 (US exit code) + 44 (UK country code) + 20 (London area code without the ‘0’) + 7946 0000. The correct number to dial is 011 44 20 7946 0000.
Scenario 2: You receive a call from a UK mobile number, and you want to call back later.
- Problem: You’re unsure how to save the number in your phone for international use.
- Solution: Save the number with the +44 prefix, replacing the leading ‘0’. For example, if the number displayed as 07700 900000, save it as +44 7700 900000.
Scenario 3: You need to provide your UK mobile number to an international contact.
- Problem: To provide a correct number.
- Solution: Always use the international Format +44
Secure Your UK Phone Number
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FAQ: UK Phone Numbers
Yes, but this typically applies to older and rarer formats for some 01 or 0800 numbers. The vast majority of UK phone numbers have ten digits after the leading 0 trunk code or +44 country code.
+44 replaces the leading ‘0’ of any UK phone number, whether it’s a landline or a mobile (including those starting with 07).
Yes, but this typically applies to older and rarer formats for some 01 or 0800 numbers. The vast majority of UK phone numbers have ten digits after the leading 0 trunk code or +44 country code.
Dial 011 (the US exit code), then 44 (the UK country code), then the area code (without the leading ‘0’), and finally the local number.
0800 and 0808 numbers are freephone numbers in the UK. The caller pays nothing to dial these numbers.
London is just 020. The following digit (3, 7 or 8) is part of the 8-digit local number, not part of the area code.
No. While numbers starting 071 to 075, 07624, and 077 to 079 are mobile numbers, numbers starting 070 are Personal Numbers (call-forwarding services), and numbers starting 076 are for Pagers. Mobile numbers used in Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man are often charged at a different rate than other mobile numbers. You should check the number you’re calling, just in case.
