Indian Phone Number Format and Landline Calling Codes List

Every Indian phone number follows a simple format, but many people still get confused seeing +91, 0, or just 10 digits. India has over 1.2 billion telephone connections, (mobile + landline) as of May 31, 2025. You might have seen numbers written in different ways and wondered what’s right and what’s not.

That’s exactly why I wrote this for you. You’ll see how the Indian phone number format actually works, what each version means, and when to use which one. Everything written in this blog is explained with examples, so you can understand it quickly and use the right format every time from India or any other country.

What Is the Indian Mobile Number Format?

An Indian mobile number has 10 digits and usually starts with 9, 8, 7, or 6. When calling from outside India, you add the +91 country code in front, like +91 XXXXX XXXXX. Inside India, many people just dial the number directly, or use a 0 before it when calling from landlines – 0XXXXX XXXXX. The first few digits show the operator circle or region, and the rest identify the user.

This format is standard across all networks and helps ensure smooth calling, saving, and contact sharing, locally or internationally.

So, all three are valid forms:

• XXXXXXXXXX (just the number)
• 0XXXXXXXXXX (used for local landline calls)
• +91 XXXXXXXXXX (used internationally or when saving)

They all lead to the same mobile number, only the format changes based on how and from where you are calling.

How Many Digits Are in an Indian Phone Number?

Every mobile number in India has exactly 10 digits. These numbers never start with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The first digit is always 9, 8, 7, or 6, followed by nine more digits.

So a valid Indian mobile number will look like this:

9876543210, 8123456789, or 7012345678

If you see something with more or fewer digits, or if it starts with any other digit, it’s not a valid mobile number in India.

Types of Indian Mobile Numbers

Indian mobile numbers don’t just follow one fixed mobile number format, they appear in a few different ways depending on how you use them. Some start with just the 10 digits, some begin with a 0, and some are saved with +91 at the front. All three are common in India, and each one has its own purpose.

Whether you're calling from inside India or from another country, or even if you're saving a number to WhatsApp or filling out a form online, the format you use actually matters.

And across all of these formats, the mobile number itself stays the same. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Jio, Airtel, Vi, or BSNL number, every Indian mobile operator follows the same structure underneath. The only thing that changes is how the number is written or dialed.

Let’s break down all three types clearly.

1. Basic 10-Digit Mobile Number Format

All Indian mobile numbers are exactly 10 digits and start with 9, 8, 7, or 6. You’ll see this format used for most daily tasks, like local calls, texting, or signing up on Indian apps.

Example: 9876543210, 8123456789

This format is mostly used for:

• Mobile-to-mobile calls within India
• Texting within India
• Sharing numbers with someone nearby
• Registering on Indian apps that don’t need the country code

This is the number you'll see printed on recharge coupons, posters, store boards, and shared between people who are living in India.

Keep in mind: There's no need to add 0 or +91 when you're already inside the country using a mobile. This format works smoothly for all Indian telecom providers like Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL.

More on This Topic: How to check Call History of Any Number Online

2. Indian Mobile Numbers With 0 Prefix

Now this is a format you’ll come across, especially if someone is calling from a landline phone or a different telecom circle within India. It simply adds a 0 in front of the 10-digit mobile number.

Examples:

09876543210

07012345678

Why is the 0 used?

Because that’s how STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialing) works inside India. When you call a mobile number from a landline or from one state to another, you often need to add 0 before the number. It tells the telephone network that this is a non-local call.

It’s also common in office PBX phone systems or older setups. For example, if you call someone from your office landline in Delhi to a mobile number in Mumbai, you dial 0 + mobile number.

However, keep this in mind:

• This 0 is only needed while dialing
• You don’t use it when saving a number in your phone
• You don’t use it in international calls

It’s only a temporary part of the number, not part of the number itself

3. Indian Mobile Numbers With India Country Code +91

This is the international Indian mobile number format. You’ll see this format everywhere online, like on WhatsApp, when someone gives their number in an email signature, when saving contacts, and in almost every case involving international access.

Examples:

+91 9876543210

+91 8123456789

Here’s when and why this format is used:

• When you're saving an Indian mobile number to your mobile phone (recommended default format)
• When you're outside India and calling someone back home
• When you're using apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Truecaller
• When you need to register or verify your number on websites that ask for country codes

This is also the format you should use when saving contacts, even if you're in India. It makes sure your phone apps can recognize and sync the number correctly. It avoids confusion when you travel or switch SIMs.

Even if you’re calling from the US, UK, UAE, Canada, Australia, or any other country, if you’re dialing a number in India, you start with +91 followed by the 10-digit number.

So it looks like this:

+91 9876543210

Also, this is the only version that works properly in contact syncing, number verification, and international texting.

Related Reading: Best Time to Call India

Indian Landline Dialing Codes with All States List

Calling a landline number in India is not the same as dialing a mobile. Every city or region in India has its own landline dialing code, also known as an STD code. These codes are 2 to 4 digits long and must be added before the actual landline number.

If you're trying to reach a landline in India, understanding how the format works is important. One small mistake in the code, and your call won’t go through.

Let’s understand the structure first.

How Indian Landline Numbers Are Formatted

Every landline number in India is made up of two parts:

• STD Code (2 to 4 digits): This identifies the city or region
• Subscriber Number (6 to 8 digits): This is the actual landline number

When combined, the full landline number becomes 10 digits in most cases.

Here’s how the format looks:

STD Code + Landline Number

For example:

• Delhi telephone code: 011-23456789
• Mumbai telephone code: 022-12345678
• Bangalore telephone code: 080-45678901

You might notice the STD codes vary in length. That’s because bigger cities like Delhi or Mumbai have shorter STD codes (like 011 or 022), while smaller towns may have longer codes like 0445 or 0821.

Indian States, Cities, and Their Landline Area Codes

I’ve collected the most-used STD codes for different Indian states and cities. These are the codes you’ll use when dialing any landline in these locations. The list below gives you a clear reference so you can dial correctly every time.

Suggested Post: US Phone Number Format

How to Dial an Indian Landline Number from Outside India (International Calling Format)

If you're calling an Indian landline from another country, it's not the same as calling within India. You’ll need to follow a specific international dialing format, which includes three key parts:

1. Exit Code (International Dial-Out Code of Your Country)

Every country has its own exit code, this is the code you dial first to make an international call out of your country.

Here are some examples:

• From the USA/Canada – Dial 011
• From the UK – Dial 00
• From Australia – Dial 0011
• From UAE – Dial 00
• From Germany – Dial 00
• From Singapore – Dial 001 or 008

2. India Country Code +91

After the exit code, you need to dial India's country code, which is always +91

This lets the system know you're calling a number inside India.

3. Indian STD Code (Without the Leading 0) + Landline Number

Now comes the actual Indian landline number, but here's the important part:

You must remove the 0 from the beginning of the STD code

Then add the landline number after that

Here’s the correct format:

Exit Code + 91 + STD Code + Landline Number

Keep Reading: UK Phone Number Format

Toll-Free Number Format in India

Toll-free numbers in India are special telephone numbers that allow callers to reach businesses, services, or support lines without being charged. In simple terms, you don’t pay anything when you dial a toll-free number, the receiver (company or service provider) pays for the call.

These numbers are most commonly used for customer service, helplines, banks, telecom operators, e-commerce sites, complaint support, and even government services.

Now let’s break down how toll-free numbers in India actually look and how to identify them:

Indian Toll-Free Number Formats

There are mainly two formats that toll-free numbers follow in India:

• 1800 XXX XXXX (most common)
• 1860 XXX XXXX (shared-cost toll numbers)

Let me explain both clearly:

1800 Numbers (Completely Toll-Free)

• Begin with 1800
• 10 digits total after the country code
• The caller is not charged
• Widely used by companies like banks, telecoms, and government support lines

Example:

• 1800 425 0001 (SBI Customer Care)
• 1800 202 6161 (Jio Support)

1860 Numbers (Local Rate Numbers)

• Begin with 1860
• Not exactly toll-free for everyone
• The caller may be charged local call rates
• Often used by customer support teams

Example:

• 1860 123 3333 (HDFC Bank)
• 1860 500 5000 (Amazon India)

So, if you’re calling a business and see a number starting with 1800, it’s 100% free. But if it starts with 1860, just know you might get a small deduction if you’re not on an unlimited plan.

How to Dial Toll-Free Numbers in India

If you're in India:

Simply dial the 1800 or 1860 number directly – no prefix or STD code needed.

If you're outside India, unfortunately:

Most Indian toll-free numbers do not work internationally.

You may need to call their international support number instead or use the company’s website for alternate options.

Smart Dial Hacks

• Always check STD code before calling to avoid wrong regions.
• For business calls, consider 1860 numbers to save on cost.

Final Words on Indian Phone Number Format

Indian phone number format can look tricky at first: mobile numbers, landlines, area codes, toll-free formats… There's a lot going on. But once you’ve seen how it all fits together, it starts making sense.

This blog covered everything step by step: how mobile numbers are structured, how to read landline numbers with the right area codes, how toll-free numbers are formatted, and what matters when dialing from different places. It’s all about understanding the format so you don’t get stuck or dial the wrong number.

Also, if you’re planning to call someone in India from other countries, I’ve written a separate blog that shows you exactly how to do it. I’ve added the links, you can check them out.

Thanks for reading this blog.

Have a good day.