To dial the UK, use your country’s exit code, then +44, then the UK number without its leading zero.
If you are planning a trip or calling friends abroad, working out how to dial the uk can feel confusing the first time. Different exit codes, long numbers, and that leading zero in UK phone numbers all raise questions. Once you know the pattern, though, calling the United Kingdom from anywhere becomes routine.
How To Dial The UK Step By Step
Every international call to the United Kingdom follows the same basic structure. You start with the exit code for the country you are calling from, then add the UK country code, then the local number with no leading zero.
Core Elements Of A UK Phone Number
Before you reach for the keypad, it helps to know what each cluster of digits means. That way you can check a number at a glance and avoid wasting money on failed calls.
- Exit code: The set of digits that tells your network you want an international connection.
- Country code: For the United Kingdom this is 44, written as +44 on most phones.
- Area or mobile code: The first chunk of the UK number after the leading zero, which shows the region or type of service.
- Subscriber number: The remaining digits that point to the specific phone line.
When you put them together, a full call from overseas looks like this:
Exit code + 44 + UK number (without the first 0)
Common Exit Codes When Calling The UK
Exit codes change from country to country. The table below lists frequent combinations so you can check the digits you need before you call.
| Country Or Region | Exit Code | Example Dialing Sequence Before UK Number |
|---|---|---|
| United States And Canada | 011 | 011 44 … |
| Most Of Europe | 00 | 00 44 … |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 44 … |
| New Zealand | 00 | 00 44 … |
| India | 00 | 00 44 … |
| Singapore | 001 | 001 44 … |
| United Arab Emirates | 00 | 00 44 … |
| South Africa | 00 | 00 44 … |
On many smartphones you can skip the exit code and simply start with the plus symbol. Press and hold the zero key until a + appears, then type 44 and the rest of the number.
Dialing The UK From Different Regions
Call costs and dialing habits differ around the world, yet the pattern for UK numbers stays the same. These examples give you ready made templates you can copy straight into your phone.
Calling The UK From The United States Or Canada
From North America, you start with 011, then 44, then the UK number with no leading zero. Suppose you want to call a London landline written as 020 7123 4567 on a business website. Your phone sequence from the United States would be:
011 44 20 7123 4567
The same logic applies to UK mobiles. A mobile listed as 07700 900123 becomes:
011 44 7700 900123
Many carriers publish their own step by step guides for international calls along with rate tables. A clear reference is the United Kingdom country code guide from Wise, which shows sample formats that match the method in this article.
Calling The UK From Europe
From most European countries the exit code is 00. A Manchester landline such as 0161 234 5678 turns into:
00 44 161 234 5678
Mobile numbers follow the same pattern. If you dial often, saving contacts in your phone with +44 and no leading zero keeps things simple whether you travel or stay at home.
Calling The UK From Asia Pacific And The Middle East
In Asia Pacific you will often see 0011 or 001 as the exit code, while in many Gulf countries it is 00. Local carrier websites confirm the exact digits. A Sydney caller ringing a Glasgow mobile written as 07900 123456 would dial:
0011 44 7900 123456
A traveller in Dubai calling the same phone would use:
00 44 7900 123456
When you roam, your mobile usually keeps working without any change in the exit code as long as you store contacts with the + sign.
Reading UK Phone Numbers Correctly
UK numbers look longer than many domestic numbers, especially once you add the country code. Breaking them into sections makes them easier to manage and reduces the chance of a wrong call.
Geographic Landline Numbers
Most landlines begin with 01 or 02 and include an area code tied to a town or city. Inside the United Kingdom you dial the full number including the leading zero. From abroad you drop that first zero but keep the rest of the digits in place.
Here is a simple example:
- Within The UK:
020 7123 4567 - From Abroad:
+44 20 7123 4567
The regulator Ofcom publishes detailed telecoms numbering guidance at this official reference page, which explains how ranges such as 01, 02, and 03 are assigned.
Mobile Numbers
Mobile numbers usually begin with 07 when written inside the country. A typical format is 07xxx xxx xxx. Callers inside the United Kingdom keep the leading zero, while international callers replace it with +44.
A mobile written as 07700 900123 within Britain turns into:
+44 7700 900123
This same rule applies when you save a UK mobile in your contacts list. Storing it with +44 rather than 0 helps every call work, no matter where you happen to travel.
Non Geographic And Special Numbers
Some numbers begin with 03, 08, or 09. Many of these ranges connect to customer lines, government services, or paid information lines. Calls to 03 numbers often cost the same as 01 and 02 numbers, while some 08 and 09 services charge extra per minute.
From overseas you still follow the same dial string: exit code, then 44, then the number without the first zero. Before calling, check costs with your provider, especially for 08 and 09 ranges, as charges can climb quickly.
Dialing UK Numbers Once You Have Arrived
Visitors often pick up a local SIM or rely on hotel phones while in Britain. Domestic calls inside the United Kingdom use a simpler pattern because you no longer need an exit or country code.
Calling UK Numbers From A UK Mobile
When you are already in the country, you only need the leading zero and the rest of the number. Here are the usual formats:
- Calling a landline from a mobile: dial the full 0 + area code + number, such as
020 7123 4567. - Calling a mobile from a mobile: dial the full 07 number, such as
07700 900123. - Calling toll free numbers: many start with 0800; you dial them exactly as written.
Roaming visitors whose home SIM still runs inside the United Kingdom can also keep dialing with +44 if they prefer, as the local networks handle both formats.
Calling Between UK Landlines
From one landline to another in the same area, shorter local patterns still exist in some towns. In many cases, though, dialing the full number with the area code avoids confusion, especially in large cities where several similar ranges sit side by side.
Call Costs, Roaming, And Saving Money
Pricing for calls to the United Kingdom varies widely between providers. Small differences in per minute rates and connection fees add up over long trips or frequent business calls, so a quick check of your options pays off.
Check Rates Before You Call
Before a long conversation, log in to your account or app and look at international calling tariffs. Pay attention to any flag for 08 or 09 numbers, as those ranges can sit outside bundles. Some providers offer special packages for calls to the United Kingdom that bring down the cost compared with standard pay as you go pricing.
Use Wi Fi And Calling Apps
Voice over IP services can reduce the bill for long calls home. Wi Fi calling from your mobile provider, secure messaging apps, or dedicated international calling apps route audio over data rather than traditional voice lines.
When you rely on these services, keep an eye on roaming data charges. If you talk often, a local data bundle or travel eSIM can be cheaper than paying per megabyte.
Consider A Local UK SIM For Longer Stays
For extended trips many travellers choose a UK SIM or eSIM. This gives you a local 07 mobile number and domestic call rates. Friends and family abroad can still reach you by dialing your UK number with +44, while contacts inside the country use the standard formats listed earlier.
Common Mistakes When Dialing The UK
Most failed calls come down to a handful of small errors. A short checklist helps you avoid them and reach your contact the first time.
Forgetting To Drop The Leading Zero
The most frequent issue is leaving in the first 0 after adding +44. The call then goes to the wrong number or fails completely. Always strip off that initial zero from UK landline and mobile numbers when you call from abroad.
Mixing Exit Codes And The Plus Sign
Another common problem appears when callers dial both an exit code and the plus sign. On mobile phones, use one method or the other. Either start with 00 or 011, or hold down zero for +, then continue with 44 and the rest of the number.
Calling Suspicious Or Unknown UK Numbers
International scammers sometimes spoof UK caller IDs to make messages look trustworthy. If an unexpected UK number asks for payments or codes, hang up and contact the organisation through a number listed on its official website instead. Ofcom and law enforcement bodies have pressed providers to block spoofed calls and reduce this type of fraud, yet caution still matters for anyone answering international calls.
UK Number Formats At A Glance
The patterns below summarise the most common types of UK numbers you are likely to dial from overseas or while visiting.
| Number Type | Domestic Format | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| London Landline | 020 7xxx xxxx | +44 20 7xxx xxxx |
| Other City Landline | 01xxx xxx xxx | +44 1xxx xxx xxx |
| Standard Mobile | 07xxx xxx xxx | +44 7xxx xxx xxx |
| Non Geographic 03 | 03xx xxx xxxx | +44 3xx xxx xxxx |
| Toll Free 0800 | 0800 xxx xxxx | +44 800 xxx xxxx |
| Premium Rate 09 | 09xx xxx xxxx | +44 9xx xxx xxxx |
| Emergency | 999 Or 112 | No country code; used only inside the UK |
Quick Reference Checklist For Dialing The UK
By this stage, how to dial the uk should feel clear and repeatable. Before you press call, run through this short list:
- Confirm the exit code for your country or use the + symbol.
- Add 44 for the United Kingdom.
- Remove the leading 0 from the UK number.
- Check whether the number is landline, mobile, or a special range such as 03 or 08.
- Glance at your provider’s rates if you expect a long call or a premium range.
- Save regular contacts with +44 so future calls work from any location.
Once these habits sink in, calling friends, family, hotels, or businesses in Britain becomes as simple as any local call on your phone.