United Kingdom Calling Code: +44
Complete guide to calling United Kingdom — international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.
How to Call United Kingdom from Abroad
📞 Step-by-Step Dialing Guide
- Dial your country's exit code (e.g. 011 from US, 00 from most countries, + from mobile)
- Dial +44 — the country calling code for United Kingdom
- Dial the local phone number (area code + subscriber number)
About United Kingdom Calling Code
Every country has a unique international dialing prefix; for United Kingdom it is +44. The ITU assigns these codes under recommendation E.164. Dial +44 after your country's exit code, then the local subscriber number. United Kingdom is in Europe.
The ITU-T E.164 recommendation standardizes international numbering, giving every country and territory a distinct prefix. Without the correct prefix, international calls cannot be routed to the right destination.
Where the +44 Calling Code Is Used
The country code +44 is assigned to United Kingdom, located in Northern Europe, with the capital London. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to United Kingdom from outside the country.
A number displayed as +44 … is in international format: +44 replaces the domestic trunk prefix. From abroad, always drop any leading 0 of the area code and dial +44 + area code + subscriber number.
Calling codes starting with 4 are part of the ITU's regional numbering plan for the area around United Kingdom, in Northern Europe. When saving United Kingdom numbers internationally, write +44 followed by the area code without its leading 0 — this format works from every country.
United Kingdom Phone Number Formats
Numbers in United Kingdom use the standard E.164 pattern — +44, then the area code, then the subscriber number. The same layout applies to landlines and mobile phones:
📱 Number Structure
- International format: +44 [area code] [subscriber number]
- From abroad: exit code + +44 + local number (drop the trunk prefix 0)
- Within United Kingdom: dial the local number directly
In most countries, domestic numbers start with a trunk prefix (often 0) that must be omitted internationally: dial your exit code, then +44, then the local number as written without its leading zero.
Time Zone in United Kingdom
United Kingdom runs on Europe/London, which is UTC+00:00 UTC. Schedule international calls accordingly — a convenient time for you may be very early or very late there.
Use the UTC offset (UTC+00:00) to plan calls to United Kingdom. For most international callers, the practical rule is: schedule business-hour calls to London during the overlap between your working day and theirs.
Daylight saving time can shift United Kingdom's clock by one hour in summer. For time-critical calls, confirm the current UTC offset rather than relying on the standard value.
Emergency Numbers in United Kingdom
If you need urgent help while in United Kingdom, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside United Kingdom.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 999 or 112 |
| Fire | 999 or 112 |
| Ambulance | 999 or 112 |
Example: Calling United Kingdom Numbers in Practice
Here is how a typical call to United Kingdom works, depending on where you are calling from:
🌍 From the United States or Canada
- Dial the US/Canada exit code 011
- Dial the United Kingdom country code +44
- Dial the local number (area code + subscriber number, without the trunk prefix 0)
Example: 011 +44 [area code] [number]
🌍 From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the international access code 00 (or use the + symbol on mobile)
- Dial the United Kingdom country code +44
- Dial the local number
Example: 00 +44 [area code] [number], or +44 [area code] [number] from any mobile phone
Leading zeros in domestic area codes are not dialed internationally. Write the number as +44 + area code (no leading 0) + subscriber number.
Calling United Kingdom from Major Countries
International exit codes differ by country. Use this reference when dialing United Kingdom (+44) from abroad:
| Calling From | Exit Code | Full International Dialing |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 011 | 011 44 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 44 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 44 [local number] |
| China | 00 | 00 44 [local number] |
| Japan | 010 | 010 44 [local number] |
| India | 00 | 00 44 [local number] |
| Germany | 00 | 00 44 [local number] |
| France | 00 | 00 44 [local number] |
On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely — just dial +44 followed by the local number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calling code for United Kingdom?
The international calling code for United Kingdom is +44.
How do I call United Kingdom from the United States?
Dial 011 (US exit code), then +44, then the local phone number.
How do I call United Kingdom from the United Kingdom?
Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +44, then the local phone number.
Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?
Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +44 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.
How do I call within United Kingdom?
If you're already in United Kingdom, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +44 for domestic calls.
What is the capital of United Kingdom?
The capital of United Kingdom is London. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +44 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.
What are the emergency numbers in United Kingdom?
Police: 999 or 112, Fire: 999 or 112, Ambulance: 999 or 112. These numbers are only valid inside United Kingdom.
United Kingdom Mobile Phone Prefixes
Mobile phone numbers in United Kingdom typically use the following prefixes:
- 07xxx (most mobile numbers)
- 071xx–075xx (EE)
- 077xx–079xx (Vodafone, O2, Three)
United Kingdom City / Area Codes
Major cities in United Kingdom and their local area codes (dial these after the country code +44 when calling from abroad):
| City | Area Code(s) |
|---|---|
| London | 020 |
| Manchester | 0161 |
| Birmingham | 0121 |
| Edinburgh | 0131 |
| Glasgow | 0141 |
| Liverpool | 0151 |
| Bristol | 0117 |
| Leeds | 0113 |
| Cardiff | 029 |
| Belfast | 028 |
Note: Drop any leading "0" when dialing from abroad. Example: London 020 becomes +44 20 + local number.
Other Countries in Europe
Nearby countries and their calling codes:
Calling United Kingdom from Russia or Greece works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +44, then the local number. Within Europe, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.