UK phone numbers explained
Every UK phone number tells a story: the first few digits show what kind of number it is, roughly what it costs to call and – for landlines – where it was issued. Here’s how to read one, and which numbers scammers like to hide behind.
How to read a UK number
Most UK numbers are 11 digits long, starting with 0. For a landline, the first part is the area code and the rest is the local number.
| Format | Example | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 3-digit area code + 8 | 020 7946 0018 | London and other 02 areas |
| 4-digit area code + 7 | 0161 496 0732 | Large cities such as Manchester |
| 5-digit area code + 6 | 01388 602620 | Most towns and rural areas |
| 5-digit prefix + 6 | 07700 900123 | Mobiles and most non-geographic numbers |
What the first digits mean
From free 0800 numbers to premium-rate 09 lines – what each type is for, what it costs and what to watch out for.
Geographic numbers
- What it is
- Ordinary landline numbers tied to a place. The area code tells you which dialling area the number was issued for – 0161 is Manchester, 020 is London, 01388 is Bishop Auckland.
- Cost to call
- Charged as a normal UK call and usually included in landline and mobile allowances.
- Watch out
- A local-looking number feels familiar, which is exactly why scammers spoof them. A local area code is not proof the caller is local.
UK-wide 03 numbers
- What it is
- Non-geographic numbers used by public bodies, charities and businesses that want one number for the whole country. 030 is used by public sector and not-for-profit organisations.
- Cost to call
- Never cost more than calling an 01 or 02 number, and count towards inclusive minutes.
- Watch out
- Banks and government departments often use 03 numbers, so scammers spoof them. If a caller asks for security details, hang up and call the number on your card or statement.
Corporate and VoIP numbers
- What it is
- 055 numbers are used for corporate networks; 056 numbers are location-independent numbers often used by internet (VoIP) phone services.
- Cost to call
- Costs vary by provider – check your tariff.
- Watch out
- Because they are not tied to a place, these numbers say little about where a caller really is.
Mobile numbers
- What it is
- Numbers issued to mobile networks in blocks. The first few digits show which network the block was originally allocated to – but people can keep their number when they switch network.
- Cost to call
- Charged as a mobile call; usually included in allowances.
- Watch out
- The original network tells you nothing about who owns a particular mobile today.
070 personal numbers
- What it is
- Personal "follow-me" numbers that forward to another phone. They look like mobile numbers but are not.
- Cost to call
- Since October 2019 Ofcom has capped what providers can charge to connect these calls, so most tariffs now treat them like mobile calls – but check yours.
- Watch out
- 070 numbers have a long history of misuse in scams because they look like mobiles and hide the real destination.
076 pagers (and 07624 Isle of Man mobiles)
- What it is
- 076 numbers were set aside for radiopaging services. The exception is 07624, used for mobiles on the Isle of Man.
- Cost to call
- Calls to paging numbers can be charged differently from mobiles.
- Watch out
- An unexpected call from a 076 number is unusual – be cautious about calling one back.
Freephone numbers
- What it is
- Numbers paid for by the organisation you are calling.
- Cost to call
- Free to call from UK landlines and mobiles since July 2015.
- Watch out
- Freephone numbers are easy to spoof on caller ID. A genuine 0800 number calling you is not proof the caller is genuine.
Service-charge numbers
- What it is
- Numbers where part of the call price goes to the organisation you call – often used for helplines and booking lines.
- Cost to call
- Two parts: an access charge set by your phone company, plus a service charge set by the organisation.
- Watch out
- A missed call asking you to ring back an 084, 087 or 09 number may be designed to earn money from your call.
Premium-rate numbers
- What it is
- Numbers for paid services such as competitions, voting lines and entertainment.
- Cost to call
- The most expensive numbers to call – costs can be high per minute or per call.
- Watch out
- Be very wary of any message asking you to call an 09 number back.
Directory enquiries
- What it is
- Six-digit 118 numbers connect you to directory enquiry services.
- Cost to call
- Often expensive, and some services charge extra to connect you onward.
- Watch out
- Look numbers up yourself – including here – rather than paying for a connection.
The UK’s main area codes
Big cities have short codes so there are more digits left for local numbers. See every UK area code →
How mobile numbers are allocated
Ofcom hands mobile numbers to networks in large blocks rather than one at a time. So the first five or six digits of a mobile number show which network that block was originally given to.
But since you can keep your number when you switch network, the original network is only a starting point – it can’t tell you who the person is or which network they use today.
What range statuses mean
On each number we check, we show how Ofcom lists the range it belongs to. Here’s what each status means.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Allocated | Ofcom has given the range to a communications provider, which can issue numbers from it to customers. |
| Free | Not allocated to anyone. Calls should not genuinely come from a number in a free range. |
| Reserved | Held back for a particular provider or purpose, but not yet in use. |
| Quarantined | Recently given back or withdrawn, and rested for a while before Ofcom re-allocates it. |
| Protected | Kept aside and not available for normal allocation. An unexpected call showing a number in a protected range deserves extra caution. |
Numbers worth knowing
| Number | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| 999 / 112 | Emergency services – police, fire, ambulance and coastguard. |
| 101 | Police non-emergency line. |
| 111 | NHS non-urgent medical help. |
| 105 | Power cuts – connects you to your local electricity network operator. |
| 159 | Connects you to your bank’s genuine fraud team if you think a call was a scam (most major UK banks). |
| 7726 | Forward scam texts here, free – it spells SPAM on a keypad. |
Frequently asked questions
Who decides UK phone numbers?
Ofcom manages the UK numbering plan. It allocates numbers in blocks to phone companies, which then issue individual numbers to their customers.
Can I tell which network a mobile number is on?
Only which network the block was originally allocated to. People can keep their number when they switch network, so the original network may no longer be the one in use.
What is the difference between 01, 02 and 03 numbers?
01 and 02 numbers are geographic – tied to an area. 03 numbers are UK-wide and not tied to a place, but cost the same to call as 01 and 02 numbers.
Are 0800 numbers free from mobiles?
Yes. Since July 2015, calls to 0800 and 0808 numbers have been free from UK mobiles and landlines.
Why do 070 numbers look like mobile numbers?
070 numbers are personal numbers that forward to another phone. They start 07 like mobiles, which is one reason they have been used in scams.
Can a scammer fake the number that shows on my phone?
Yes. Caller ID spoofing lets callers show a number that isn’t theirs, including real bank and government numbers. If a call asks for money or security details, hang up and call back on a number you trust.
Why do TV programmes use numbers like 07700 900123?
Ofcom reserves small blocks of numbers – such as 07700 900000 to 900999 and 020 7946 0000 to 0999 – for TV and radio drama, so on-screen numbers never belong to real people.
Check the number that called you
See the area, the original provider, whether it’s a verified UK business and what other people have reported.