What Is The UK Phone Number Format (& Mobile Number Structure)

Last Updated on November 18, 2023 by

UK phone numbers follow a specific format:

• Country code: +44
• Area code: 2-5 digits
• Subscriber Number: 7 digits

What Is The UK Phone Number Format?

1. Introduction to the UK Phone Number Format

The United Kingdom phone number system is organized and maintained by Ofcom, an independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. The distinct structure of UK phone numbers ensures efficiency in communication.

2. Geographical Area Codes

Area codes, also known as ‘dialling codes,’ are essential parts of the UK phone number format. These dialing codes represent individual geographical areas within the UK. For landlines, the area code may contain three, four, or five digits, depending on the population density and size of the geographic location.

3. National Destination Codes

The National Destination Code (NDC) often consists of 3 or 4 digits which define the destination of the call within the network. The length of the area code and local number varies depending on whether the area has a three, four or five-figure area code.

Area Code Length	Local Number Length
3 Figures (020)	8 Figures
4 Figures (01792)	6 Figures
5 Figures (016974)	5 Figures

4. Mobile Numbers

Mobile numbers in the UK start with “07” followed by nine digits. It is worth noting that “070” is not a mobile prefix and is designed for personal or ‘follow-me’ numbers.

5. Non-Geographic Numbers

These phone numbers do not connect to a particular geographical area. They are often used by businesses and include numbers starting with “03”, “05”, “08”, and “09”.

6. Premium Rate Numbers

Premium rate numbers are non-geographic numbers that carry higher costs. These numbers typically start with “09” and are commonly used for services like competition lines or adult content lines.

7. Freephone Numbers

The prefix for Freephone numbers in the UK is “0800” or “0808”. Calls to these numbers are free for personal callers, although businesses may be charged.

8. Emergency Services Number

The general emergency number in the UK is “999”. The European emergency number, “112”, also works in the UK.

9. Directory Enquiries

Standard Directory Enquiry services in the UK can usually be reached through the “118” prefix, followed by three more digits.

How To Call A UK Phone Number?

To call a UK phone number, follow these steps:

1. Dial Exit Code:
   • If you’re dialing from outside the UK, enter the exit code of your country (e.g., 011 for the US).
2. Enter UK Country Code:
   • Dial the UK country code, which is +44.
3. Omit the Leading Zero:
   • If the UK number starts with a leading zero (0), omit it when dialing internationally.
4. Include Area Code:
   • Add the local area code after the country code. For example, London’s area code is 20.
5. Enter the Subscriber Number:
   • Dial the remaining digits of the phone number, typically 8 digits.
6. Complete the Call:
   • Press the call button. If dialing within the UK, use the full national format, including the leading zero in the area code.

Example for calling a London number: +44 20 XXXX XXXX (from outside the UK) or 020 XXXX XXXX (within the UK).

FAQ

How Many Digits Are In A UK Phone Number?

UK phone numbers are usually 8 digits long, but there are some exceptions

The UK phone number is a country code + area code + local number. For example, the number 0845 123 4567 would be a landline in Northamptonshire.

A mobile or international call from the UK to the US would look like 001+000+999-9000.

How Do You Call A +44 Number?

The +44 prefix is the international dialing code for the United Kingdom, but it is also used to call other countries.

You can also use the prefix to call a mobile phone number in many countries.

The +44 prefix is usually preceded by 0, but sometimes it may precede a country code (for example if you are calling from India).

How Can I Find Someone’s Phone Number UK?

Finding someone’s phone number in the UK is a lot more difficult than you might think. You can make your search easier by using a reverse phone number search engine like FindIt.

So, if you need to find the phone number of an individual, or even just want to find out who owns a particular number, simply enter their name or email address into this website.

After finding your results, you can get in touch with them via email or call them on their landline directly from within the website!

Can UK Mobile Numbers Have 12 Digits?

In the UK, the mobile numbers are capped at 12 digits.

However, some people may still find it difficult to remember numbers with 12 digits. This is why many people use the 0000 format as an easy way to remember their phone number.

Many people are asking whether having 12-digit mobile phone numbers is really necessary and if this new change will really help people in any meaningful way.

A lot of research has been conducted on the topic and it seems that there is no clear evidence that shows that having longer UK mobile numbers would make any difference to how well they can remember their phone number.

Why Is There A 0 In Front Of Phone Number?

The 0 in front of phone numbers is not a mistake.

When the telephone system was first introduced, phone numbers were seven digits. However, the last two digits became unnecessary with the advent of 7-digit dialing. So, if you have an old 7-digit number that ends in a 0, it’s not a mistake – it’s just how the system worked back then.

Do You Dial 0 When Calling The UK?

Some people say that it is not necessary to dial the international exit code at the beginning of a call when calling from the UK to another country. This is because in most countries, they will automatically dial 00 when calling from the United Kingdom.

The UK is one of the few countries that require you to dial 0 as it’s their country code and this is done in order to prevent confusion and errors.

List Of 5 Top Telecom Companies In UK

The top 5 telecom companies in UK are: BT Group Plc, Orange, Vodafone Group Plc, O2, and EE.

1. BT Group Plc:

2. Vodafone Group Plc

3. Orange

4. O2

5. EE

The telecoms market in the UK is varied and crowded with companies that have a range of specialties.

One of the largest telecommunications providers in Britain is BT Group, which provides services to around 29 million customers worldwide. As one of the first companies to provide telephone services, BT has been at the forefront of communications since 1882 and now offers broadband, TV, mobile and video conferencing as well as directory enquiries.

Another telecommunications company is Virgin Media which offers mobile, TV, broadband internet and phone service through its stable of over 3 million customers worldwide. The company also runs 24 hour customer support through its website for consumers who need help with any service or product they purchase with Virgin Media.

Telecom providers range from very large multinational corporations like Vodafone to small-scale startups with limited capital such as Gigaclear in UK.

References:

https://www.dialpad.com/uk/blog/uk-phone-number-format/
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-format-for-mobile-numbers-in-the-UK