Number types
UK phone number types
The first digits of a UK number tell you what kind of number it is and roughly what it costs to call. Each page below explains one kind, with GOV.UK call costs and the range data Ofcom publishes.
- 07 mobile numbers: who texted me from an 07 number?
What UK 07 mobile numbers are, which ranges are mobiles and which are not (070, 076), what calling back costs and how to check the range holder.
- 070 numbers: personal numbers that look like mobiles
070 numbers look like mobiles but are personal 'follow me' numbers that forward calls. What they cost (GOV.UK) and who holds the ranges.
- 076 numbers: pager numbers
076 numbers are pager numbers in Ofcom's numbering plan (except 07624, an Isle of Man mobile range). Who holds the ranges and what to do if one texts you.
- 03 numbers: UK-wide numbers charged like landlines
03 numbers cost the same as an 01 or 02 landline call and count towards inclusive minutes. 030 is for public bodies and charities. Costs and Ofcom data.
- 0800 and 0808 numbers: freephone
0800 and 0808 numbers are free to call from landlines and mobiles. Who holds the ranges, and why a freephone number on your screen can still be faked.
- 084 and 087 numbers: business rate numbers
0843/0844/0845 and 0870-0873 numbers carry a service charge plus your provider's access charge. Caps from Ofcom's plan, costs from GOV.UK.
- 09 numbers: premium rate, the most expensive calls
09 numbers cost up to £3.60 a minute plus your provider's access charge, plus 5p to £6 per call (GOV.UK). 098, 0908 and 0909 are for adult services.
- Short codes: 7726, 60599, 116 and 118 numbers
What the short numbers mean: 7726 for reporting spam texts, 60599 for HMRC scam texts, 116 helplines, 118 directory enquiries, 999, 112, 101, 105 and 111.
Blocks in Ofcom's files, by kind of number
Ofcom allocates numbers in blocks of different sizes. A block that is not allocated (free, protected or quarantined) cannot belong to a real phone line. Files of 2026-09-04.
| Kind of number | Blocks listed | Allocated | Not in use | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01, 02 landlines | 299,084 | 98,871 | 200,213 | 284 |
| 03 UK-wide | 13,726 | 3,454 | 10,266 | 272 |
| 055 corporate | 400 | 26 | 349 | 8 |
| 056 internet phone | 595 | 130 | 465 | 30 |
| 070 personal | 3,061 | 735 | 2,326 | 79 |
| 07 mobile | 6,048 | 5,525 | 400 | 73 |
| 076 pagers | 800 | 117 | 373 | 13 |
| 080 freephone | 7,915 | 4,312 | 3,602 | 251 |
| 0843-0845 | 2,121 | 2,055 | 66 | 222 |
| 0870-0873 | 1,964 | 1,825 | 139 | 190 |
| 090, 091 premium | 5,534 | 5,198 | 335 | 107 |
| 098, 0908, 0909 adult | 2,513 | 2,322 | 191 | 71 |
Source: Ofcom, Download numbering data. Ofcom copyright. TextCheckUK is not affiliated with Ofcom.