Have you ever wondered about how UK area codes work? Telephone communication is an enormous part of business and life in the UK, so having a solid understanding of area codes and telephone codes UK is beneficial, not to mention interesting!
While mobile phone communication has transformed how people contact one another, UK area codes remain hugely important for individuals and businesses in the UK. Read on for everything you need to know about UK area codes and the United Kingdom mobile number format.
What are UK Area Codes?
So, what exactly are area codes and their purpose? Essentially, an area code is a sequence of numbers that identifies a particular region or service within the UK phone format. It is a way of routing calls to their appropriate location and enables the recipient to see where the call is coming from before answering. There is the UK country code, which is then followed by the local area number and the unique sequence of numbers for each individual person or business.
In addition to allowing people to see where a call is coming from, area codes can also guide the cost of making a call. Calls made within the same area codes are usually free, while calls to other area codes can incur additional charges.
Area codes are used for landline phones, while mobile phone numbers have a different system. In the United Kingdom mobile number format, a mobile number will start with the UK prefix (07) followed by the unique number. This system makes it easier to differentiate between landline and mobile numbers.
Area Code Locations
In the UK, the code’s length depends on the area’s size and population density. A few of the main regions and their local numbers include:
London: 020
Birmingham: 0121
Manchester: 0161
Edinburgh: 0131
Glasgow: 0141
Leeds: 0113
Liverpool: 0151
Other Area Codes
There are also a few other types of area codes to be aware of. These include:
03 Prefix: Many businesses in the UK opt for an 03 prefix as call costs can be more affordable than 08 numbers.
030 Prefix: Phone numbers with an 030 prefix are generally reserved for not-for-profit organisations, registered charities, and some public bodies, such as government departments and local councils.
07 Prefix: As mentioned above, 07 phone numbers are allocated as UK mobile phone numbers. These differ from 070 phone numbers, which are commonly used to divert calls from one device to another.
08 Prefix: 08 phone numbers are typically business rate numbers often used for helplines, customer contact centres, and chargeable services. They often have special charge rates, which can be higher than standard call charges.
0800 & 0808 Prefix: These are numbers that are free to call and typically used by helplines, charities, and government services.
The History of UK Area Codes
The history of UK area codes is fascinating and provides a glimpse into life when telephone systems were first introduced. First, it is important to have an understanding of STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialing), which is an old type of technology that allows calls to be made without the use of switchboard operators. This required a telephone numbering plan, which involved a system of mapping numbers to a specific area.
Queen Elizabeth II made the first official call to a phone number in 1958 by dialing Edinburgh from Bristol - the farthest distance over which a call could be connected at the time. The STD system was completed in 1979 and allowed ‘subscribers’ on one exchange to call non-local subscribers. Before this, subscribers would need to call an operator to connect the call for them.
STD codes (now called area codes) were assigned to each area of the UK to connect calls directly. The most populous regions in the UK, such as the major cities, were assigned area codes that were fast to dial using the old rotary dial telephones. The leading letter of the city name was also assigned as the second digit in the code. For example, ABC appeared on the “2” digit on a rotary phone, so Birmingham was assigned “021”.
Area codes are now split between 01 and 02, with 02 being introduced in 2000 after the re-numbering of area codes with the 01 prefixes in 1995.
How Area Codes Work
The United Kingdom phone format includes the country code UK followed by a regional code. If a call is being made outside the UK, the country code (+44) is required before the regional code. The numbering plan is managed by Ofcom - the Government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, internet, telecommunications, and postal industries in the UK. They ensure that new area codes are allocated to meet the increasing demand for phone numbers.
What About Mobile Numbers & Virtual Numbers?
So, what about the United Kingdom mobile number format? The United Kingdom mobile number format begins with the 07 prefix and is then followed by the subscriber’s unique number, which is not linked to a geographic region.
Due to the widespread usage of mobile phones in the 21st century, many businesses are now using what is known as a virtual phone number available from Landline Anywhere. Essentially, these are numbers that allow businesses to have a local number that routes to a mobile device, regardless of location. This can provide businesses with a more professional look by having a landline telephone number with the flexibility of mobile, ensuring that they never miss an important call without having to give out their personal UK mobile number.
There are also handy features of call forwarding, including voicemail notifications and a 24/7 e-receptionist. You can also choose a number, giving you the chance to portray the right image.
Having a strong understanding of area codes and the UK phone format is important for individuals and businesses alike. Whether making a local call to a friend, contacting a business, or making an international call, you want to make sure that you use the right dialing code so that you can contact the right person or organization you need.
If you want to learn more about UK area codes, the United Kingdom mobile number format, or you have a question, do not hesitate to get in touch, and we will be happy to help!
— Last updated on April 10, 2025.