How to Call United Kingdom 🇬🇧
United Kingdom's country code is +44. The full recipe and the local quirks that make calls fail, below.
Quick dialing format
[exit code] + 44 + [number]
| From US & Canada | 011 44 ... |
| From UK & most of Europe | 00 44 ... |
| From Japan | 010 44 ... |
| From any mobile or browser | +44 ... |
The leading zero rule
Drop the leading 0. A London number written 020 7946 0000 becomes +44 20 7946 0000.
Area codes in United Kingdom
| Place | Area code |
|---|---|
| London | 20 |
| Manchester | 161 |
| Birmingham | 121 |
| Edinburgh | 131 |
Calling mobile numbers
UK mobiles start with 07 domestically, so they become +44 7... from abroad. Numbers starting 070 are personal-forwarding numbers billed at premium rates; genuine mobiles are 071 to 079.
Time zones and when to call
The UK runs on GMT in winter and BST (UTC+1) in summer. It is not on Central European Time; London is one hour behind Paris and Berlin year-round.
The mistake people actually make
Keeping the 0: +44 020 is wrong and often fails. Drop the zero after the country code.
The cheapest ways to call United Kingdom
Carrier international rates are the most expensive way to make this call. If the person you're calling uses WhatsApp or Telegram, an app-to-app call is free over any internet connection. To reach a regular United Kingdom phone number, use a VoIP service or call straight from a web dialer: our guides to calling from your computer and calling from your browser cover the options, and free online calls explains what the free routes really cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is the country code for the United Kingdom?
The country code is +44. From a mobile or browser dialer, dial +44 followed by the local number. From a landline, dial your country's exit code first (011 from the US and Canada, 00 from most of Europe).
Do I drop the leading zero when calling the United Kingdom?
Drop the leading 0. A London number written 020 7946 0000 becomes +44 20 7946 0000.
How do I call a mobile number in the United Kingdom?
UK mobiles start with 07 domestically, so they become +44 7... from abroad. Numbers starting 070 are personal-forwarding numbers billed at premium rates; genuine mobiles are 071 to 079.
What is the cheapest way to call the United Kingdom?
Internet calling beats carrier international rates by a wide margin. If both sides use the same app (WhatsApp, Telegram), the call is free. To reach a regular phone number, a VoIP service or browser-based dialer charges a small per-minute rate instead of carrier international pricing.