UK phone numbers consist of area codes and numbers. Make sense of it with our handy guide.
When calling the UK from overseas, or indeed from a UK mobile phone, you'll need to figure out how to dial the number. Let's start with those of you overseas.
When dialling a UK number, you have to take care to drop the first zero. All UK numbers start with a zero and it's a bit confusing for overseas users on what to do with the zero, because if you include it when you dial the UK, the call won't connect. Confused?! OK, here's an example:
Let's say we want to call the US Consulate in London - we are effectively going to be calling the UK from US. Their website will list the number as:
020 7499 9000
So to dial this number from your phone overseas, you first need to dial the country code of England (and Scotland and Wales), which is 44. So on your phone, you'd start with: 0044 (or +44). THEN, we must drop the zero, so we would go ahead and dial:
0044 20 7499 9000
And hopefully your call will connect!
It is also worth noting that in the UK, like the US, our phone numbers start with an area code. The area code is normally 5 digits long. The most popular area codes are listed below to help you identify the location of the person or business you are calling.
So, what if you're in the UK and not clear on how to dial numbers? If you're in the UK and need to call a UK number on a mobile phone, you must include the area code eg. 020 - for the call to connect, AND you must include the leading zero. Years ago when land lines were popular, you could remove the area code when dialling a local phone number (eg. if you lived in the 020 London area code, you didn't have to dial 020 - you could drop it off), but since land lines are hardly used anymore, you might as well get used to dialling the full number, including area code.
Popular area codes in the UK
| Region | Dialing Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| London | 020 | London, the capital city of the UK, has the dialing code 020. It is home to numerous iconic landmarks, such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum. London is known for its diverse population, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene. |
| Birmingham | 0121 | Birmingham, located in the West Midlands, has the dialing code 0121. It is the second-largest city in the UK and is known for its industrial heritage, canals, and thriving arts and music scene. Birmingham is often referred to as the "City of a Thousand Trades" due to its history of manufacturing and innovation. |
| Manchester | 0161 | Manchester, situated in the northwest of England, has the dialing code 0161. It is a vibrant city renowned for its rich industrial heritage, world-class football clubs, music legacy, and lively nightlife. Manchester has a thriving creative and cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and theaters. |
| Edinburgh | 0131 | Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, has the dialing code 0131. It is famous for its stunning architecture, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Edinburgh is renowned for its annual festivals, such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Hogmanay celebrations. |
| Cardiff | 029 | Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, has the dialing code 029. It is a vibrant and modern city with a rich history and cultural heritage. Cardiff is known for its impressive Cardiff Castle, Millennium Stadium, and vibrant waterfront area at Cardiff Bay. |
| Bristol | 0117 | Bristol, located in the southwest of England, has the dialing code 0117. It is a vibrant city with a thriving arts and music scene, historic landmarks, and a bustling harbor. Bristol is famous for its iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, SS Great Britain, and its vibrant street art culture. |
| Glasgow | 0141 | Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, has the dialing code 0141. It is known for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, vibrant music scene, and friendly locals. Glasgow offers a diverse range of attractions, including the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Cathedral, and the vibrant West End. |
| Liverpool | 0151 | Liverpool, located in the northwest of England, has the dialing code 0151. It is famous as the birthplace of The Beatles and for its rich maritime history. Liverpool is home to iconic landmarks such as the Albert Dock, Liverpool Cathedral, and the renowned football clubs, Liverpool FC and Everton FC. |
| Leeds | 0113 | Leeds, situated in West Yorkshire, has the dialing code 0113. It is a vibrant city known for its lively nightlife, cultural festivals, and thriving shopping scene. Leeds is home to notable landmarks like the Leeds Town Hall, Leeds Kirkgate Market, and the Royal Armouries Museum. |
| Sheffield | 0114 | Sheffield, located in South Yorkshire, has the dialing code 0114. It is known for its industrial heritage, stunning green spaces, and world-class universities. Sheffield offers attractions such as the Millennium Gallery, Sheffield Winter Garden, and the Peak District National Park on its doorstep. |
| Newcastle | 0191 | Newcastle upon Tyne, often referred to as Newcastle, has the dialing code 0191. It is a vibrant city in northeast England known for its historic architecture, cultural events, and lively nightlife. Newcastle is home to iconic landmarks like the Tyne Bridge, Newcastle Castle, and the lively Quayside area. |
| Leicester | 0116 | Leicester, situated in the East Midlands, has the dialing code 0116. It is a culturally diverse city with a rich history, known for its connection to King Richard III and its vibrant multi-ethnic community. Leicester is home to attractions such as the Leicester Cathedral, National Space Centre, and the King Power Stadium. |
| Nottingham | 0115 | Nottingham, located in the East Midlands, has the dialing code 0115. It is known for its association with the legendary outlaw Robin Hood and its historic castle. Nottingham is home to vibrant shopping districts, Nottingham Playhouse, and the famous Trent Bridge cricket ground. |
| Southampton | 023 | Southampton, a major port city on the south coast of England, has the dialing code 023. It is known for its maritime history, bustling cruise ship terminals, and cultural attractions. Southampton offers points of interest such as the SeaCity Museum, Southampton Old Town, and the Southampton City Art Gallery. |
| York | 01904 | York, a historic city in North Yorkshire, has the dialing code 01904. It is renowned for its well-preserved medieval walls, ancient narrow streets (known as The Shambles), and the magnificent York Minster. York is also home to fascinating attractions like the Jorvik Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum. |
| Cambridge | 01223 | Cambridge, located in the East of England, has the dialing code 01223. It is famous for its prestigious University of Cambridge, beautiful college buildings, and picturesque punting on the River Cam. Cambridge offers attractions such as the Fitzwilliam Museum, King's College Chapel, and the Botanic Garden. |
| Oxford | 01865 | Oxford, known as the "City of Dreaming Spires," has the dialing code 01865. It is renowned for its prestigious University of Oxford, which dates back to the 12th century. Oxford's attractions include the Bodleian Library, Christ Church College, and the charming Covered Market. |
| Cambridge | 01223 | Cambridge, located in the East of England, has the dialing code 01223. It is famous for its prestigious University of Cambridge, beautiful college buildings, and picturesque punting on the River Cam. Cambridge offers attractions such as the Fitzwilliam Museum, King's College Chapel, and the Botanic Garden. |
| Belfast | 028 | Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, has the dialing code 028. It is known for its history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. Belfast offers attractions such as the Titanic Belfast museum, the beautiful Belfast City Hall, and the lively St. George's Market. |
| Edinburgh | 0131 | Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, has the dialing code 0131. It is famous for its stunning architecture, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Edinburgh is renowned for its annual festivals, such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Hogmanay celebrations. |
| Aberdeen | 01224 | Aberdeen, often referred to as the "Granite City," has the dialing code 01224. It is located in northeast Scotland and is known for its striking granite buildings, picturesque coastline, and vibrant cultural scene. Aberdeen offers attractions such as the Aberdeen Maritime Museum and the beautiful Duthie Park. |
| Cardiff | 029 | Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, has the dialing code 029. It is a vibrant and modern city with a rich history and cultural heritage. Cardiff is known for its impressive Cardiff Castle, Millennium Stadium, and vibrant waterfront area at Cardiff Bay. |
So, to dial a number in Cambridge for example, you would dial eg: +44 then 1223 - taking care to drop that leading zero - using your 2ndNumber app or WebPhone, or mobile phone. However, unlike the US, whereby ANY number could be a landline number OR mobile number, in the UK nearly all of the mobile numbers start with 07. So, simply by looking at the first two digits of a phone number, we can tell it is a mobile number:
07949 345 072
Tells us that this is a mobile number because the first part of the number starts with 07. As described above, mobile numbers too have a 5 digit "area" code, but unfortunately the "area" code doesn't mean anything specific to the location of the number. It is simply a code that is used by the mobile operators and it isn't easily possible to identify if a phone number is a T-Mobile number, versus an O2 number, versus a Vodafone number, simply by looking at the area code. In that respect it's all a bit of a jumble!
If you happen to be in the UK or do business in the UK, or just want a brand new UK number, check out our UK landline virtual phone numbers page. There is quite literally no better way of getting a new mobile number for personal or business use.