What's the country calling code for the United Kingdom?

If you need to dial a UK phone number from outside the country, whether you're calling someone in London, Manchester, or Belfast, you must follow a specific international sequence.

This guide clears up the confusion. We explain the international dialling code for the UK (+44), walk you through the exact steps for mobiles and landlines, and share essential tips on managing time zones and saving money with us while you travel or live abroad.

Understanding the international code for the UK

Making an international call requires a specific, multi-step sequence. The full sequence is essential to direct your call and ensure a successful connection.

The role of your international access code (exit code)

Before anything else, you must first dial your country's international access code, also known as exit code. This tells your phone provider that the next digits are for an international destination. Not sure what your exit code is? We've got you covered:

• Calling from the United States or Canada: 011.
• Calling from most of Europe or Asia: 00.
• Calling from a mobile phone anywhere: always use the + symbol. Your mobile automatically converts this to the correct international exit code for your location.

The mandatory UK country code

Immediately following your local exit code, you must dial the country code. In this case, you use the UK dialling code, 44.

Whether you begin with the landline exit code or the mobile + symbol, the combined sequence is the international dialling code for the UK.

• US landline full start: 011 44
• European landline full start: 00 44
• Mobile full start: +44

Understanding this is the first step in mastering the UK phone number format.

How to call a UK phone number from abroad

Once you've entered the country code, the rest of the sequence is easy — you just need to dial the UK phone number. But there’s one important thing to remember: UK phone numbers usually start with a 0 when you're calling from within the UK. But if you're calling from somewhere else, you don’t use this 0. You leave it out and just dial the rest of the number. When calling internationally, the country code replaces it.

The general format you need to follow is:

• Your country's exit code or +
• UK country code: 44
• Full UK number (without the initial 0)

Dialling UK mobile phones

Domestic UK mobile numbers are always 11 digits long, including the initial 0, and usually start with 07.

Example: 07700 900123.

However, as mentioned above, you need to drop the 0 and replace it with +44 when you're calling from abroad.

Example: +44 7700 900123.

Dialling UK landlines: regional area codes explained

UK landlines start with a geographic area code (like 020 for London) followed by a local number. The total number of digits, including the initial domestic 0, is typically 10 or 11 digits.

For example, if your contact in Glasgow provides the landline number 0141 555 1234, the international dialling code would be +44 141 555 1234.

How to save your UK contacts

For seamless calling and messaging, especially when you're travelling or using apps, you should always save your UK contacts in the international format.

Always save the contact starting with the + symbol and the country code.

• Correct landline save: +44 20 7499 9000
• Correct mobile save: +44 7700 900123

This standard format ensures that apps and services correctly interpret the number, removing any need to manually adjust the format or exit code, regardless of your current location.

Why didn't my call to the UK work?

Common dialling mistakes

If you tried to call a UK contact and your call failed, you've most likely made a common dialling mistake. Even with the UK country code entered correctly, other small mistakes in the sequence can stop your call from going to plan.

Mistake 1: forgetting to drop the domestic 0

This is the most common error for international calls to the UK. The domestic trunk code, 0, is only used for local calls within the UK. When you dial the country code, it should replace the 0, so make sure you're not leaving it in.

Mistake 2: using the wrong international exit code

International exit codes vary by country (e.g. 011 for the US/Canada and 00 for most of Europe). Using the wrong one from a landline prevents the connection from leaving the country you're in.

If you're calling from a landline, check the exit code for the country you're calling from.

Mistake 3: the high costs of international calling

If you're trying to call someone back in the UK while you're travelling in another country, you might be shocked at how much it costs. Hidden charges and roaming fees can be exorbitant.

If you need data connectivity while travelling, avoid UK network roaming. Our global eSIM data plan offers a digital solution, allowing you to buy data plans in-app and bypass those costly traditional roaming fees.

eSIM T&Cs and fees apply.

When's the best time to call someone in the UK?

• Calling from the US (Eastern Time -5 hours): to reach someone at the start of their UK workday (9am), you'd need to call at 4am EST. The sweet spot for personal calls is usually 1pm EST, which is 6pm in the UK.
• Calling from Australia (AEST +10 hours): to reach someone in the UK during their early evening (7pm), you must call at 5am AEST the next day.

When to call for business vs personal reasons

• Personal calls: weekends and evenings (after 6pm) are generally best, as they align with daytime hours in the Americas and early mornings in Australia/Asia
• Business calls: aim for overlapping work hours, generally between 9am and 5pm UK time

Staying connected internationally: our eSIM for UK travel

If you're a traveller or expat, managing your data and communication should be as easy as knowing the international code. Excessive data roaming charges are a thing of the past when you travel with us.

Eliminating roaming fees with a prepaid eSIM

Traditional roaming is expensive and unpredictable. Our eSIMs offer a digital solution that provides high-speed data access from the moment you land in any of the 100+ covered countries — including the UK.

A Revolut eSIM allows you to buy prepaid data packages in-app, without needing to buy a physical SIM card. This ensures you have high-speed data access from the moment you land, eliminating the stress of searching for WiFi or a local mobile shop.

Benefits beyond calling: data plans for global travel

We offer flexible eSIM data plans that suit different travel durations and needs.

• Our global eSIM: for customers travelling across multiple countries, a global eSIM plan might offer the most flexibility, ensuring coverage as you travel to or from the UK
• Our eSIM for the UK: if you're only planning on visiting the UK, a UK eSIM plan may be more cost-effective
• Regional or local eSIM: depending on your location and your travel habits, choosing a regional or country-specific eSIM plan targeted for your location(s) is an option to consider

Sending and managing money in the UK from abroad

Beyond connecting via phone, managing your finances in GBP can be challenging, whether you're supporting family members or handling business payments.

International money transfers: sending GBP seamlessly

If you need to send money to a UK bank account, we simplify the process with international transfers. You can execute transfers directly from your Revolut account, with competitive exchange rates for the British pound (GBP). This helps you easily manage your money across borders.

Exchanging and spending: using your Revolut card in the United Kingdom

While you're travelling, it's important to make sure you're getting the best exchange rate on foreign currency so you can stick to your budget. Using a Revolut card can help you do this effectively.

You can pay in GBP or one of the 150+ other currencies supported at competitive exchange rates with our travel money card. When you spend with your card, we automatically use the best available rate, so you aren't hit with the excessive fees that traditional banks often charge for foreign transactions.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What's the difference between +44 and 0044?

Both +44 and 0044 represent the country code of the United Kingdom. The difference lies in the access code: 00 is the international exit code specifically used by many countries' landlines, while the + symbol is the universal international access code used on mobile phones. For simplicity, use +44 on a mobile phone.

Can I text a UK phone number using +44?

Yes. Text messaging follows the same format as voice calls. You must begin the number with +44 and ensure the domestic 0 is dropped (e.g. +44 7700 900123).

How long should a UK phone number be?

When dialled internationally (after the +44 code), a UK mobile or landline number should be 9 or 10 digits long.

How to get started with Revolut

Ready to simplify your international travel and spending? Here's how you can use Revolut to stay connected and manage your money across the globe:

1. Sign up: open your account in minutes through the app
2. Order your card: get your physical card and access global spending power with competitive exchange rates
3. Activate your eSIM: purchase and install your eSIM digitally to get data in the UK and over 100 countries, helping you avoid unexpected roaming charges
4. Send money seamlessly: make fast, cost-effective international transfers in GBP and many other currencies in-app

You can learn more about how Revolut is helping customers connect with our other regional calling guides, such as the calling code for Canada, the calling code for France, and the calling code for India.

Other guides are available for the calling code for Ireland, the calling code for Malaysia, the calling code for Mexico, the calling code for Nigeria, the calling code for Australia, and the calling code for US.

The information provided is accurate as of 10 October 2025.

Exchange fees, remittance fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.