UK number types

The first digits of a UK number tell you what kind of number it is and roughly what a call back would cost.

Geographic numbers (01)

Landline numbers linked to a town or area. Calls cost the same as a normal UK landline call and are usually included in phone plans.

Geographic numbers (02)

Landline numbers for London (020), Cardiff (029), Northern Ireland (028) and a few other areas. Calls cost the same as a normal UK landline call.

03 numbers

UK-wide numbers that are not tied to an area. They cost the same as calling an 01 or 02 number and count towards inclusive minutes. Banks, government departments, charities and large companies use them a lot.

Mobile numbers (07)

Most 07 numbers are UK mobiles. Scammers often use mobile numbers because they are cheap to get and easy to change.

Personal numbers (070)

070 numbers look like mobiles but are personal "follow-me" numbers that forward to another phone. Calls can be expensive. Be careful with missed calls from 070 numbers.

Pager and radio paging numbers (076)

076 numbers are mostly used for paging services. Calls can cost more than a normal mobile call.

Freephone numbers (080)

0800 and 0808 numbers are free to call from UK landlines and mobiles. Companies use them for customer service and sales, so they also appear in sales calls.

Business rate numbers (084)

0843, 0844 and 0845 numbers carry a service charge on top of your provider's access charge. Businesses use them for helplines and call centres.

Business rate numbers (087)

0870, 0871 and 0872 numbers cost more than normal calls: a service charge plus your provider's access charge.

Premium rate numbers (09)

09 numbers are premium rate and can cost several pounds a minute. Never call back an unknown 09 number. Premium rate services are regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority.