UK phone number types explained
A complete guide to UK phone number prefixes — what each one means, who uses them, and how much they cost to call from a mobile or landline.
Call cost comparison
| Number type | From mobile | From landline | In bundle? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 / 02 / 03 | Usually free | Usually free | Yes |
| 0800 / 0808 | Free | Free | N/A |
| 07 mobile | Usually free | Variable | Usually yes |
| 0844 / 0845 | Up to 7p/min + access charge | Up to 7p/min + access charge | No |
| 0870 / 0871 | Up to 13p/min + access charge | Up to 13p/min + access charge | No |
| 09 | Up to £3.60/min | Up to £3.60/min | No |
| 070 | Up to 65p/min | Up to 65p/min | No |
Typical figures. Your provider's rates may differ. Access charges are set by your provider and added on top of service charges.
01 and 02 numbers — geographic
Geographic numbers
Numbers starting with 01 or 02 are geographic landline numbers tied to a specific area of the UK. 020 numbers are in London, 0161 in Manchester, 0121 in Birmingham, and so on. They are included in almost all UK call bundles and are typically free to call.
Businesses, households and public services all use geographic numbers. Note that scammers can spoof geographic numbers to appear local — a familiar-looking area code does not guarantee the call is genuine.
Major area codes
03 numbers — national rate
03 numbers
03 numbers are national rate numbers used by organisations that want a non-geographic number without charging callers extra. They cost the same as calling a 01 or 02 number — included in most call bundles and typically free from mobiles and landlines.
Government departments, NHS services, charities and local councils commonly use 03 numbers. Examples include HMRC (0300 200 3300) and NHS England (0300 311 2233).
07 numbers — mobile
07 mobile numbers
Numbers starting with 07 are usually standard mobile numbers. Ranges 07400–07999 are allocated to UK mobile networks. Calling these is included in most mobile plans and many landline bundles.
070 numbers: personal numbers
076 numbers: pager numbers
08 numbers — service numbers
08 numbers
0800 and 0808: Freephone
0844 and 0845: Service numbers
0870, 0871, 0872, 0873: Premium service numbers
09 numbers — premium rate
09 numbers — premium rate
Warning: very high call cost
09 numbers are regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA). If you have been charged unexpectedly, contact your network provider or visit psauthority.org.uk.
116 numbers — free helplines
116 numbers
116 numbers are European harmonised numbers reserved for services of social value. They are always free from any UK phone, including mobiles, and do not count against call bundles.