Key takeaways
UK telephone numbers follow Ofcom's National Telephone Numbering Plan. The first digits identify the number type -- geographic, mobile, freephone, premium rate or special service.
Numbers starting 01 and 02 are geographic: the digits after the 0 identify the area. For example 020 is London, 0121 is Birmingham, 0131 is Edinburgh. They cost the same to call from anywhere in the UK.
Numbers starting 03 are non-geographic but cost the same as 01/02 calls and are included in mobile and landline call bundles.
Numbers starting 07 are mobile. Numbers starting 0800/0808 are freephone -- free from all UK phones since July 2015. Numbers starting 0844/0845/0870 carry additional charges not included in bundles.
Numbers starting 09 are premium rate -- up to 3.60 pounds per minute. Numbers starting 116 are free harmonised European services such as the Samaritans (116 123).
Reviewed: June 2026Key facts
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How UK telephone numbers are structured
Every UK telephone number follows a structure set by Ofcom's National Telephone Numbering Plan. The number starts with a prefix that identifies the type and, for geographic numbers, the area. The standard format is a Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) code followed by the local number. For international dialling, replace the leading 0 with +44 (e.g. 020 7946 0000 becomes +44 20 7946 0000).
01 and 02 geographic area codes by region
Geographic numbers starting 01 or 02 identify the area where the line is registered. The table below lists the main UK area codes.
| Area code | Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 020 | London | All London boroughs. 0203/0207/0208/0204 are all London numbers |
| 0121 | Birmingham | West Midlands |
| 0113 | Leeds | West Yorkshire |
| 0114 | Sheffield | South Yorkshire |
| 0115 | Nottingham | East Midlands |
| 0116 | Leicester | East Midlands |
| 0117 | Bristol | South West England |
| 0118 | Reading | Berkshire |
| 0131 | Edinburgh | Scotland |
| 0141 | Glasgow | Scotland |
| 0151 | Liverpool | Merseyside |
| 0161 | Manchester | Greater Manchester |
| 0191 | Newcastle upon Tyne | North East England |
| 01224 | Aberdeen | Scotland |
| 02920 | Cardiff | Wales |
| 02890 | Belfast | Northern Ireland |
| 01752 | Plymouth | Devon |
| 01392 | Exeter | Devon |
| 01865 | Oxford | Oxfordshire |
| 01223 | Cambridge | Cambridgeshire |
Area codes vary in length. London (020) has a two-digit area code followed by eight digits. Smaller towns may have a five-digit area code followed by five or six digits. The total number of digits in a full UK number (including area code, excluding leading 0) is typically 10.
03 numbers -- same cost as geographic
Numbers starting 03 are non-geographic but priced identically to 01 and 02 calls. They are included in landline and mobile call bundles. Government departments, charities and businesses use 03 numbers as national contact points. Examples include 0300 (public bodies), 0303 (HMRC) and 0345 (banks and utilities as an alternative to 0845). If you regularly call an 0845 or 0870 number, a 03 alternative often exists and costs nothing within your bundle.
07 mobile numbers
Numbers starting 07 are mobile phone numbers. The digits after 07 originally identified the network but number portability means the current network may differ. 07 numbers are generally included in mobile plan allowances. Calling from a landline without a bundle costs 10 to 20 pence per minute. Note: 070 personal numbers carry high charges (up to 80p/min) and are sometimes used in scams -- treat unexpected 070 calls with caution.
0800 and 0808 freephone numbers
0800 and 0808 are freephone numbers -- free from all UK mobiles and landlines since 1 July 2015 following an Ofcom rule change. Before this date, calling 0800 from a mobile could cost up to 40 pence per minute. The 0808 range exists as additional freephone capacity -- many NHS helplines and support services use 0808.
0844, 0845 and 0870 -- non-geographic service numbers
Numbers starting 0844, 0845 and 0870 carry a two-part charge: an access charge (set by your provider, typically 45 to 55 pence per minute from a mobile) plus a service charge (set by the organisation, up to 13 pence per minute). Total cost from a mobile can reach 68 pence per minute. These calls are not included in call bundles. Ofcom requires organisations to publish the service charge before you call. Many organisations now offer 03 alternatives -- search online for the cheaper number.
09 premium rate numbers
Numbers starting 09 are premium rate, regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA). They can cost up to 3.60 pounds per minute plus the network access charge. Used for competitions, adult lines and some directory services. Do not call back unexpected missed calls from 09 numbers.
116 harmonised European numbers
116 numbers are free to call from any UK phone including pay-as-you-go SIMs with no credit. They are harmonised across European countries for services of social value. UK examples: 116 123 (Samaritans), 116 006 (Victim Support), 116 000 (Missing Children Hotline).
118 directory enquiry numbers
Numbers starting 118 are directory enquiry services. Since deregulation they are priced individually -- some charge 3 to 8 pounds per call. Ofcom requires the price to be announced before connecting. Free alternatives include online directories and search engines.
How to look up any UK area code
Ofcom provides a free telephone area codes tool at ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/phone-numbers/telephone-area-codes-tool. Enter any 01 or 02 code to find the area it covers, or search by town to find the local dialling code.
Related guides
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Kael Tripton Ltd is not regulated by the FCA and does not provide financial advice. Telecoms information is sourced from Ofcom, the UK communications regulator. Always verify current tariffs and eligibility directly with providers and at ofcom.org.uk.
Frequently asked questions
What does the area code tell you about a UK phone number?
For 01 and 02 numbers, the area code identifies where the line is registered -- 020 is London, 0121 is Birmingham, 0131 is Edinburgh. For 03, 07, 08 and 09 numbers, the prefix identifies the number type and pricing structure, not a location.
Are all 01 and 02 numbers the same cost to call?
Yes. All 01 and 02 numbers are charged at the standard geographic rate. From most landlines and mobiles with inclusive minutes they are free within the bundle. Outside a bundle, typically 10 to 20 pence per minute from a mobile.
What is the difference between 0845 and 03 numbers?
0845 numbers carry a service charge on top of your network access charge, making them more expensive than standard calls and not included in bundles. 03 numbers cost exactly the same as 01/02 calls and are always included in call bundles. Many organisations have switched from 0845 to 03 following Ofcom pressure.
Are 0800 numbers free from a mobile?
Yes. Since 1 July 2015, calls to 0800 and 0808 numbers are free from all UK mobiles and landlines. Ofcom changed the rules so the cost is borne entirely by the organisation running the number.
What does 070 mean on a UK number?
070 numbers are personal numbers that route to a mobile or landline chosen by the recipient. They are not mobile numbers despite starting with 07. Calls can cost 50 to 80 pence per minute from a mobile. Sometimes used in scams -- be cautious about calling back unexpected 070 numbers.
What is the UK international dialling code?
The UK international dialling code is +44. To call a UK number from abroad, replace the leading 0 with +44. For example, 020 7946 0000 becomes +44 20 7946 0000.
Why do some London numbers start 020 3 and others 020 7?
London has one area code -- 020 -- followed by an eight-digit subscriber number. The first digit of the subscriber number (3, 7, 8 etc) is not a separate code and does not indicate a specific part of London. All 020 numbers are London geographic numbers and cost the same to call.
How do I report a nuisance call?
Report to Ofcom at ofcom.org.uk for silent, abandoned or scam calls from telecoms providers. Report unsolicited marketing calls to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) at tpsonline.org.uk.
