Essential Phone Numbers Guide

UK Phone Numbers

The United Kingdom utilises a simple format for phone numbers across all regions. These can be categorised into main groups depending on whether the number is residential or from a service or business phone number.

To help identify who is calling, it is worth looking at just the first two digits of a UK phone number as these are the main identifying attributes. You can search our database of area codes for residential numbers in England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland or click the button below to learn more about number formatting in the UK.

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Commonly Used UK Numbers

Take a look at most commonly used phone number formats in the United Kingdom

01 Phone Numbers

01 Phone Numbers

Telephone numbers starting with 01 are reserved for residential lines, so calls from numbers will typically be from an individual or local business.

02 Phone Numbers

02 Phone Numbers

Telephone numbers starting with 02 are also reserved for residential lines. A populated area of the UK that has phone numbers starting with 02 is London.

03 Phone Numbers

03 Phone Numbers

Numbers starting with 03 are not tied to any geographic location in the UK and were introduced by Ofcom as a cheaper option to 08 for landlines and mobiles.

05 Phone Numbers

05 Phone Numbers

Phone numbers starting with 05 are very rarely used in the UK and are typically allocated to large corporate companies for internal use over a wide network.

07 Phone Numbers

07 Phone Numbers

Numbers starting with 07 are reserved for 11 digit mobile phone numbers from providers such as Vodafone, EE, O2 & GiffGaff

08 Phone Numbers

08 Phone Numbers

Freephone 08 service numbers will follow an 0800 or 0808. Those following 084 or 087 are charged at a 13p per minute surcharge rate.

09 Phone Numbers

09 Phone Numbers

09 telephone numbers are premium service rate numbers, charging a high surcharge of upto £3.60 per minute. These lines are typically used for competitions and dating.

Emergency Phone Numbers

Emergency Numbers

The main emergency phone number in the United Kingdom is 999. Calling this number will divert you to an operator for police, ambulance and fire safety services. Calls to this number are free.

Other Phone Numbers

Other Numbers

You can also call 111 to contact the NHS for advice regarding an injury or accident. Calls to this number are also free and this line is offered as alternative to the more immediate emergencies line of 999.