How to Call a UK Mobile Number from Abroad

If you’re outside the UK and need to reach a British mobile phone, you must use the correct international dialling format. That format combines your international access code, the UK country code and the full mobile phone number without its leading zero. Once you understand the pattern, it works for any UK mobile network.

Step-by-Step: Calling a UK Mobile from Overseas

Every time you call a UK mobile number from abroad, the basic structure looks like this:

International access code  +  44  +  UK mobile number without the first 0

1. Dial the international access code for your country.
   This tells the network you’re making an international call. Common examples include:
   • Most of Europe: 00
   • USA & Canada: 011
   • Australia: 0011
   On mobiles you can usually just dial a + symbol instead of the full access code.
2. Add the UK country code: 44.
   This is the standard country code for the United Kingdom for both mobile phone numbers and landlines.
3. Remove the leading 0 from the UK mobile number.
   UK mobile numbers are 11 digits long and usually shown in local format as 07XXXXXXXXX. When calling from abroad, drop that first 0. Example: 07973 123456 becomes +44 7973 123456.
4. Dial the remaining digits.
   Now dial the rest of the subscriber number (the part that identifies the individual phone).

Example: Calling from the United States

Let’s say you want to call a UK mobile shown locally as 07973 123456 from the US:

1. Dial the US international access code: 011
2. Dial the UK country code: 44
3. Remove the leading 0: 07973 → 7973
4. Dial the full number: 011 44 7973 123456 (or simply +44 7973 123456 on a mobile)

Understanding UK Numbering: Mobiles, Landlines and Freephone

UK telephone numbers follow a consistent national numbering plan. Understanding the basics will help you dial correctly and recognise whether you’re calling a mobile phone, a local geographic number or a special service.

• UK mobile phone numbers These are usually written as 07XXXXXXXXX in local UK format. The digits after 07 indicate the original mobile network and subscriber range.
• Geographic numbers (landlines) These start with an area code that relates to a specific geographic area in the UK, for example:
  • 020 – London
  • 0161 – Manchester
  • 0121 – Birmingham
  When calling a UK landline from abroad you still drop the leading 0 in the area code, e.g. 020 7123 4567 becomes +44 20 7123 4567.
• Non-geographic and customer service numbers These numbers are not tied to a local UK area and are often used for businesses, helplines or customer service. Examples include ranges starting 03, 08 and other national destination codes.
• Freephone numbers Freephone ranges like 0800 and 0808 are generally free to call within the UK, but charges may apply when dialling from other countries or from mobiles. Always check your provider’s rates.

In every case, the “leading 0” you see in local UK format is only used when dialling inside the country. For international calls you replace that 0 with the UK country code 44.

Costs, Roaming and Cheaper Ways to Call

Calling a UK mobile number from abroad can be more expensive than a local call, especially if you’re using standard roaming rates. Before dialling, it’s worth checking:

• Whether your mobile network offers an international calling bundle to the UK.
• If popular apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime or other VoIP services will work over Wi-Fi instead.
• Whether the person you’re calling has a UK mobile with free incoming calls on their plan.

For frequent international phone calls, some people keep a dedicated UK SIM with a memorable mobile number so that friends, family and customers can reach them easily from abroad.

Get a Memorable UK Mobile Number for International Calls

If you regularly receive calls from overseas, a clear and memorable UK mobile number makes life much easier for your contacts. Instead of struggling to remember a random string of digits, they can dial a simple pattern that stands out in any country code format.

FAQs: Calling UK Mobile Numbers from Abroad

What is the correct format for a UK mobile number when dialling from overseas?

Use +44 followed by the mobile number without its leading 0. For example, 07412 345678 becomes +44 7412 345678.

How many digits long is a UK mobile number?

In local UK format, mobile phone numbers are 11 digits long and start with 07. In international format they are written as +44 7XXXXXXXXX.

Do I always remove the leading 0?

Yes. Whether you are dialling a UK mobile, a geographic landline with an area code, or a non-geographic number, you drop the first 0 after adding the UK country code 44.

Are calls to UK freephone numbers free from abroad?

Not always. Ranges like 0800 and 0808 may be free inside the UK, but international callers can still be charged. Check with your provider before calling.

Can I use WhatsApp instead of making a normal international call?

In many cases, yes. If the UK mobile number is linked to WhatsApp and you both have data or Wi-Fi, you can make voice or video calls without using the traditional phone network.