09 Sep 2025
If you're looking to connect with family or friends in Great Britain, knowing the country code is crucial for dialing correctly. The country code of Great Britain is the first step in ensuring that your calls are routed to the right place. But dialing is more than just the country code — it involves area codes, local number formats, and more. Whether you’re calling from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or anywhere else, this blog will provide a comprehensive guide on how to dial to the UK correctly.
The country code for Great Britain is +44, but there’s much more to know when dialing local numbers within the UK. In this blog, we’ll also explore the different area codes for cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and more, and how these affect the dialing process.
The UK country code is +44, and understanding how to use it with the correct area codes is key to making successful international calls, especially for expats and families.
When calling Great Britain from abroad, you will need to use +44 as the country code. The plus sign ("+") represents the international dialing prefix, which varies by country, but 44 is always the country code for the UK. This is essential for ensuring your call is directed to the United Kingdom.
For example, to call a UK number from the United States, you would dial:
011 + 44 + local area code + local number
Where 011 is the US exit code, and 44 is the UK’s country code.
Fun Fact: According to recent reports, the UK has one of the most advanced telecommunications systems, with a high mobile penetration rate. Over 92% of the population uses mobile phones, making it easy to stay in touch with family and friends.
While the +44 country code gets you to the UK, understanding the local area codes is the next step in making your call successful. Area codes in the UK are assigned to different regions, cities, and even specific mobile networks. Each area has a distinct dialing prefix after the country code.
For instance, London has the area code 020, while Birmingham uses 0121. When calling a specific city, you must include the correct area code along with the country code.
Here are some commonly used area codes in the UK:
| City | Area Code | Example |
London | 020 | +44 20 7946 0958 |
Manchester | 0161 | +44 161 123 4567 |
Birmingham | 0121 | +44 121 456 7890 |
Leeds | 0113 | +44 113 234 5678 |
Liverpool | 0151 | +44 151 234 5678 |
Glasgow | 0141 | +44 141 234 5678 |
If you're calling a city in the UK, ensure that you use the correct area code. For instance, calling a number in Liverpool will require 0151, while dialing a London number will need 020.
For more info visit: telephone area codes tool by ofcom.
Area codes are an essential part of the UK's telecommunications infrastructure. According to recent data, the UK has over 600 area codes that span different regions and mobile networks. These area codes help route calls efficiently, ensuring the correct city or network receives your call. The area code also helps identify whether the number you’re calling is a landline or a mobile number.
The format of a UK phone number generally includes the country code (+44), followed by an area code, and then the local number. The UK phone number format looks like this:
+44 [Area Code] [Local Number]
If you are in the UK and need to dial internationally, you’ll need to use the international dialing prefix, which is 00 for most European countries, or + for global dialing.
For example, to call the USA from the UK, dial:
+1 [Area Code] [Local Number]
Similarly, to dial India, you would dial:
+91 [Area Code] [Local Number]
If you're an expat living in the UK, staying connected with loved ones back home is important. When making calls, knowing the country code and area codes will help ensure smooth communication.
Understanding the country code of Great Britain (+44), area codes, and phone number formats is key to making international calls successfully. For expats, families, and anyone needing to share their UK number internationally, knowing how to dial is a fundamental skill. And if you’re looking to send money online or refer someone to do so, ACE Money Transfer is a fantastic platform to consider, offering a secure and easy process while letting you earn money with ACE for every successful referral.
The country code for Great Britain is +44. 20 - the local London area code, dropping the first '0' prefix as you're calling from abroad. 7499-9000 - the rest of the embassy's number.
To call the UK from India, dial 00 + 44 + [Area Code] + [Local Number].
Some common area codes in the UK include 020 for London, 0161 for Manchester, and 0121 for Birmingham.
To dial a UK mobile number from abroad, use +44 instead of the initial 0. For example, +44 7XXXXXXXXX.
The area code for Liverpool is 0151. This code covers the city of Liverpool and the wider Merseyside region, including parts of the Wirral, and has been in use for decades to identify calls from the area.
