UK Phone Number Format with Area Codes: Complete Details

UK phone number formats can look strange if you’re not used to them. Sometimes they start with a zero, sometimes there’s a +44, and the spacing seems to change depending on where you’re looking. It gets even more confusing when you see mobile numbers and landline numbers written differently.

I’ve been through this confusion myself, and that’s exactly why I decided to write this guide, to make things simple, clean, and clear. No jargon.

If you're tired of seeing different styles and not knowing which one’s right, you're about to get all the answers in one place.

What is the Standard UK Phone Number Format?

A UK phone number usually has 11 digits when written as a local number. It always starts with the digit 0, and the rest of the number follows based on the type of service, such as mobile or landline. But when you write it for international use, that starting zero is removed and replaced with +44, which is the country code for the UK.

So, in simple terms:

• Local format: 07123 456789
• International format: +44 7123 456789

Also, not all UK numbers look the same. Mobile numbers, for example, always start with 07, while landline numbers start with other codes like 01 or 02. That’s why the format can look a bit different depending on what kind of number it is.

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How Many Digits in a UK Phone Number?

Most UK geographic numbers will have 10 or 11 digits when written in their local format (with the leading 0). But if you’re including the international code (which is +44), the number can stretch up to 12 to 15 digits.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Landline numbers usually have 10 digits after the leading 0.
• Mobile numbers have 11 digits in total.
• Business or (03) non-geographic numbers also stick to 11 digits.

When you add +44, it can become up to 13 to 15 digits long.

Different Types of UK Phone Numbers

Not all UK numbers look the same, and that’s where most people get confused. Some start with 01, others with 07 or 0800. That’s why I’ve broken it down for you. Below, I go through all the different types of UK phone number formats like landlines, mobiles, freephones, and business lines, so it all makes sense.

1. UK Landline Number Format

Landline numbers are used in homes, offices, and shops. These numbers are connected to specific cities or areas. That means if someone gives you a landline number, you can usually tell what part of the UK they’re in.

Example:

If the number starts with 020, it’s from London

If it starts with 0161, that’s Manchester

If it starts with 0121, it’s from Birmingham

So the first few digits are called the area code. It tells you the location.

How they look:

Inside the UK: 020 7946 0958

Outside the UK: +44 20 7946 0958 (drop the zero and add +44)

Also Read: Best Time to Call UK

2. UK Mobile Number Format

Now let’s talk about UK mobile phone numbers. These are the local phone numbers you use on your mobile phone. Unlike landlines, they’re not connected to any one place. You can use your mobile number in London, then move to Scotland, and the number stays the same.

Every UK mobile number starts with 07 when you’re in the UK.

Example:

Inside the UK: 07400 123456

Outside the UK: +44 7400 123456

Just like landlines, you remove the starting 0 and add +44 if you're writing it for international use.

3. UK Freephone Number Format

These are phone numbers you can call without being charged. Companies and customer service centers use these numbers so people can reach out without worrying about money.

In the UK, these numbers usually start with 0800 or 0808.

Example:

Inside the UK: 0800 123 4567

Outside the UK: +44 800 123 4567 (though some might not work outside the UK)

These are common for businesses, banks, helplines, and public services. If a company wants to look professional and customer-friendly, they’ll often give you a number starting with 0800.

4. UK Premium Rate Number Format

These numbers charge more than normal calls. They’re often used for things like competitions, donation lines, adult services, or special information services.

They start with 09.

Example:

Inside the UK: 0906 987 6543

Outside the UK: +44 906 987 6543

These numbers are often used for TV show voting, support lines that charge by the minute, or exclusive services. So be careful before calling these, especially from your mobile, as UK phone numbers from abroad can cost even more.

Keep Reading: US Phone Number Format

5. "03 Numbers" – Business and Government

These numbers are used by big companies, banks, government offices, universities, and customer support teams.

They always start with 03.

Example:

Dialing from within the UK: 0345 600 4321

Outside the UK: +44 345 600 4321

03 numbers cost the same, and this number format is crucial to call as landlines, no matter if you’re on a mobile or a landline plan.

I’ve put together a table below for you to easily understand all the mobile number formats.

What is UK Country Code (+44)

+44 is the official country code for the United Kingdom. It tells the phone system that you’re trying to reach someone in the UK from another country.

You use +44 when you are dialing a UK number from outside the UK. That’s the rule, no matter what the type of phone number: mobile or landline.

For example:

• A local UK mobile number: 07400 123456
• From another country: +44 7400 123456 (drop the 0, add +44)

Here’s something most people don’t know. +44 doesn’t work when dialing directly on landline phones that don’t support international codes, like some old hotel phones or fixed-line systems.

If you can’t type the plus sign, try replacing it with 00, which also means international in many countries. This works when your calling a number from outside the country.

UK Calling Codes by Area and City

The United Kingdom is divided into four major regions: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Across these regions, there are 76 officially recognized cities, each with its own unique area codes in the UK used for landline telephone communication, and to reach someone in a specific city, you need to dial the area code first. This kind of structure helps when choosing a phone number or setting up a phone number for your business.

• England has 55 cities
• Scotland has 8 cities
• Wales has 7 cities
• Northern Ireland has 6 cities

UK area codes aren’t all the same length. In big cities or larger regions, the codes are usually short, just 3 digits, like 020 for London or 028 for Northern Ireland. Then you’ve got 4 digit codes, which are common in places like Leeds (0113) or Glasgow (0141). And in smaller towns and countryside areas, the area codes can even stretch to 5 digits, like 01647 for Moretonhampstead or 01984 for Watchet.

Below, I’ve listed all the official cities in the UK, grouped by region, along with their exact telephone area codes and the coverage area they represent. This will help you clearly understand how UK numbers are structured and which area code belongs to which city.

England - 55 Cities

Scotland - 8 Cities

Wales - 7 Cities

Northern Ireland - 6 Cities

How to Format a UK Phone Number the Right Way

If you're not sure how to write a UK phone number correctly, don’t worry. I’ve seen a lot of people get confused, and honestly, I used to mess it up too.

If you’re writing a number for someone within the UK, just start it with a zero and space it out so it’s easy to read.

For example, I’d write a London number like this: 020 7946 0958

But when calling from outside the UK or sharing your number internationally, here’s what you need to do:

Remove the first 0 and add +44, which is the UK’s country code

So now, that same number becomes: +44 20 7946 0958

Also, avoid making it look messy. Don’t add brackets, hyphens, or weird punctuation. I always stick with plain spaces, it looks cleaner, and people can read it quickly without squinting.

And this applies to mobile numbers too. Since UK mobile numbers always start with 07, you’ll want to format them the same way.

If you’re writing mobile number for someone in the UK, you should type it like this: 07700 900123

But if you’re sharing it with someone abroad, you should write: +44 7700 900123, that’s how you handle a mobile phone number from abroad.

Common Mistakes People Make with UK Numbers

There are a few slip-ups people make all the time when writing UK phone numbers. These might seem small, but they can totally mess up a call, especially if you’re dealing with mobile numbers in the UK or trying to master the UK phone number.

Leaving the zero in international format

Using symbols or fancy formatting

Guessing the area code spacing

Forgetting who’s reading it

Not double-checking the full number

Final Words

I know choosing the right phone number format can feel a bit tricky at first, especially with all the different rules for landlines, mobiles, and international calls. But once you understand the basics, how to format it, what mistakes to avoid, and how the area codes work, it all starts to make sense.

Hopefully, this guide made things easier for you. Whether you're saving a number, filling out a form, or sending your contact info abroad, now you know how to do it the right way when you dial UK phone numbers.

Thanks a lot for reading my blog.

If this helped you out, feel free to share it with someone else who might find the UK phone number format confusing too.

It could save them from a lot of unnecessary headaches!

Take care, and see you in the next post!