Free · UK numbers · no signup
UK telephone number checker, free and instant
Check a phone number in seconds: this free telephone number checker shows if a UK number is valid, mobile or landline, 03, 0800, 070 or premium rate, its area and network, and its +44 format.
Example020 7946 0123A London number from a range Ofcom keeps for TV and radio drama
Valid phone number
- Type
- Landline
- Country
United Kingdom- Area
- London
- E.164
- +442079460123
- International
- +44 20 7946 0123
- National
- 020 7946 0123
Ofcom keeps this range for TV and radio drama, so the number will never belong to anyone.
Checking a whole list?
Upload up to 10,000 numbers at once. For each one you get its type and the network it's on today, and for mobiles whether they're switched on, from €0.0038 per number.
Upload CSV or TXT, download CSV, XLSX or JSON. You pay only for lookups that succeed.
UK numbers at a glance
- Mobiles
- 07except 070 (personal numbers) and 076 (pagers)
- Freephone
- 0800 · 0808free from UK mobiles and home landlines
- UK-wide
- 03costs no more than a call to an 01 or 02 number
- Premium rate
- 09service charge of up to £3.60 a minute
- International
- +44then drop the 0: 020 becomes +44 20
- Live status
- from €0.0038an HLR lookup shows if a UK mobile is on
Free UK number check or live lookup?
The free checker reads the UK numbering plan. A live HLR lookup asks the UK mobile network itself.
| Free checker | HLR lookup | |
|---|---|---|
Valid UK number and +44 format | Yes | Yes |
Mobile, landline, 03, 0800 or 09 | From the range | Yes |
Area code and place | Yes | Yes |
Network it was issued to | Yes | Yes |
Network it's on today, after porting | ✕ No | Yes |
Switched on right now | ✕ No | Yes |
Roaming abroad | ✕ No | Yes |
Whole lists of UK numbers, 10,000 per batch | ✕ No | Yes |
REST API | ✕ No | Yes |
Price | Free | from €0.0038 per number |
How to check a phone number in the UK
Three steps, all on your own device.
Type the number
With the leading 0, like 020 7946 0123, or with +44, spaces or not. A number from abroad? Type its + and country code.
It reads the UK numbering plan
Every UK range has a job: 01 and 02 are areas, 03 is UK-wide, 07 is mostly mobiles, 080 is freephone and 09 is premium rate. The checker matches the number against those ranges, using Google's libphonenumber data.
You get the answer at once
Valid or not, the type, the area or the network it was issued to, and the number in +44, E.164 and national format. Nothing is sent to a server.
UK phone number types explained
What the first digits of a UK number tell you, and what it costs to call from a UK phone.
| Starts with | What it is | Cost to call |
|---|---|---|
| 01, 02 | Landline, tied to an area. The area code shows where it was set up. | Standard rate, usually part of your call allowance. |
| 03 | UK-wide number for organisations, not tied to an area. | No more than a call to an 01 or 02 number, and it counts towards inclusive minutes. |
| 07 | Mobile: 071 to 075 and 077 to 079, plus 07624 on the Isle of Man. | Standard mobile rate, usually part of your allowance. |
| 070 | Personal number: forwards calls to another phone. Not a mobile. | Can cost more: some providers charge about 50p a minute from a landline and 86p from a mobile outside allowances. |
| 076 | Pagers (except 07624, which is Isle of Man mobiles). | Looks like a mobile number but can cost considerably more to call. |
| 0800, 0808 | Freephone. | Free from UK mobiles and home landlines. Business lines should check with their provider. |
| 084, 087 | Business and service numbers. | Your provider's access charge plus a service charge of up to 7p a minute (084) or 13p a minute (087). |
| 09 | Premium rate. | Your provider's access charge plus a service charge of up to £3.60 a minute, or up to £6 per call. |
| 118 | Directory enquiries. | A service charge of up to £3.65 per 90 seconds plus your provider's access charge. |
| 116 | Helplines of social value, such as 116 123. | Free from any phone. |
| 056 | VoIP numbers, not tied to a place. | Set by your provider. |
| 055 | Corporate numbers. | Set by your provider. |
Call costs from UK phones, as Ofcom describes them. The access charge is set by your own provider.
UK area codes
The area code of a landline tells you where it was set up. These are the areas Ofcom lists for TV and radio drama numbers.
- 020London
- 0121Birmingham
- 0161Manchester
- 0113Leeds
- 0141Glasgow
- 0151Liverpool
- 0117Bristol
- 0114Sheffield
- 0131Edinburgh
- 029Cardiff
- 028Northern Ireland
- 0115Nottingham
- 0116Leicester
- 0118Reading
- 0191Tyneside, Durham and Sunderland
Businesses can keep their number when they move, so type the full number above to check it.
Which network is a 07 number on?
The 07 prefixes and the network each was issued to, from the data the checker above reads. Find the first four digits of the number; where a prefix is split between networks, open it to see its five-digit ranges.
| Starts with | Networks it was issued to |
|---|---|
071 numbers | |
| 0710 | O2 20%07106–07107 |
073 numbers | |
| 0730 | EE 50%, Virgin Mobile 20%2 ranges
|
| 0734 | Vodafone 40%, Lebara 10%3 ranges
|
| 0735 | Vodafone 40% and 3 more2 ranges
|
| 0736 | Three 80%, Sky 6% and 4 more3 ranges
|
| 0737 | Vodafone 50%, EE 30%, Three 9% and 1 more4 ranges
|
| 0738 | Vodafone 52%, Three 21%, O2 20% and 4 more5 ranges
|
| 0739 | Vodafone 30%, EE 30%, O2 20% and 2 more6 ranges
|
074 numbers | |
| 0740 | Three 40%, Lycamobile 20%, Vodafone 10% and 8 more6 ranges
|
| 0741 | Three 41%, Orange 30%, EE 10% and 11 more7 ranges
|
| 0742 | Three 40%, Orange 30%, Vodafone 20% and 1 more5 ranges
|
| 0743 | EE 30%, Vodafone 30%, O2 20% and 2 more5 ranges
|
| 0744 | Three 40%, Vodafone 31%, Lycamobile 18% and 9 more6 ranges
|
| 0745 | Three 55%, Vectone Mobile 10%, Lycamobile 10% and 14 more7 ranges
|
| 0746 | Vodafone 40%, Three 36%, O2 10% and 4 more7 ranges
|
| 0747 | Three 80%, Vodafone 20%2 ranges
|
| 0748 | EE 50%, Three 34%, O2 10% and 5 more4 ranges
|
| 0749 | EE 50%, Three 30%, Vodafone 10% and 1 more4 ranges
|
075 numbers | |
| 0750 | EE 50%, Vodafone 40%, JT 8%3 ranges
|
| 0751 | O207510–07519 |
| 0752 | O2 50%, Orange 30% and 7 more4 ranges
|
| 0753 | EE 40%, Orange 35%, Three 15% and 8 more7 ranges
|
| 0754 | O207540–07549 |
| 0755 | Vodafone 60%, EE 10%, Orange 10% and 12 more6 ranges
|
| 0756 | O207560–07569 |
| 0757 | Three 40%, EE 30%, Vodafone 10% and 3 more5 ranges
|
| 0758 | Orange 40%, Vodafone 40%, Three 10% and 4 more4 ranges
|
| 0759 | O207590–07599 |
076 numbers | |
| 0762 | Manx Telecom 9% and 2 more07624 |
077 numbers | |
| 0770 | O2 95% and 3 more2 ranges
|
| 0771 | O2 90%, Vodafone 10%3 ranges
|
| 0772 | O2 40%, Three 30%, EE 20% and 1 more8 ranges
|
| 0773 | O2 70%, Three 20%, Vodafone 10%7 ranges
|
| 0774 | O2 60%, Vodafone 30%, Core Communication 8%7 ranges
|
| 0775 | O2 69%, EE 20% and 2 more7 ranges
|
| 0776 | Vodafone 60%, O2 40%3 ranges
|
| 0777 | Vodafone 60%, Orange 30%, EE 10%6 ranges
|
| 0778 | Vodafone 60%, O2 20%, Sure 10% and 1 more5 ranges
|
| 0779 | Orange 40%, Vodafone 40%, O2 10% and 1 more6 ranges
|
078 numbers | |
| 0780 | O2 50%, Orange 30%, EE 20%7 ranges
|
| 0781 | Orange 70%, Vodafone 20%, O2 10%4 ranges
|
| 0782 | Vodafone 51%, O2 20%, Three 10% and 8 more5 ranges
|
| 0783 | Three 30%, Vodafone 30%, O2 20% and 3 more9 ranges
|
| 0784 | O2 70%, Three 20%, EE 10%5 ranges
|
| 0785 | O2 50%, Three 20%, Orange 20% and 1 more6 ranges
|
| 0786 | Three 60%, O2 19%, Orange 10% and 1 more7 ranges
|
| 0787 | O2 35%, Orange 20%, Vodafone 20% and 5 more9 ranges
|
| 0788 | Vodafone 40%, Three 40%, O2 20%8 ranges
|
| 0789 | O2 31%, Orange 30%, Three 20% and 9 more7 ranges
|
079 numbers | |
| 0790 | EE 50%, Vodafone 30%, O2 20%6 ranges
|
| 0791 | EE 30%, Vodafone 30%, Three 20% and 4 more6 ranges
|
| 0792 | O2 70%, Vodafone 10%, Orange 10% and 2 more5 ranges
|
| 0793 | O2 50%, EE 40%, JT 10%5 ranges
|
| 0794 | EE07940–07949 |
| 0795 | EE 90%, O2 10%3 ranges
|
| 0796 | Orange 60%, EE 40%2 ranges
|
| 0797 | Orange 80%, Vodafone 10% and 8 more3 ranges
|
| 0798 | EE 70%, Orange 20%, Three 10%4 ranges
|
| 0799 | Vodafone 10%, O2 10%2 ranges
|
Percentages are each network's share of the numbers the data lists in that prefix. In the five-digit ranges, a + means other, smaller networks hold part of that range, and "several networks" means no single network holds half of it. The data lists a few ranges only in part, and a range that is not listed has no network in it. For the exact network of a number, type it into the checker above.
Source: Google libphonenumber v9.0.40 carrier data (Apache 2.0), the same data the checker reads. These are the networks the ranges were issued to: a UK number can move to another network and keep its digits, so it may be on a different network today. A name can also be the first holder of a range (Orange, for example) rather than the brand that runs it now. 070 (personal numbers) and 076 (pagers) are not mobile ranges and are not listed, except 07624 on the Isle of Man. Check the network a number is on now with an HLR lookup
Why the prefix doesn't tell you the network
UK mobile numbers can move between networks: a customer texts PAC to 65075, and the switch happens within one working day, keeping the same number. So an 07 prefix only shows the network the number was first issued to.
The free checker shows that original network.
A live HLR lookup asks the network and shows the one the number is on today, whether it's switched on and whether it's roaming.
From €0.0038 per number, charged only when it succeeds.
See HLR lookupWorried about a call?
The checker doesn't show who owns a number, and no honest tool can. Here is what helps instead.
Don't call back numbers you don't know
Especially overseas numbers, and 070, 076, 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers, which can cost more than you expect. Genuine callers leave a message or call again.
Forward scam texts to 7726
It's free on most UK mobile networks, and you can report scam calls to 7726 too.
Report fraud
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
Call your bank on 159
If a call claims to be from your bank, hang up and dial 159 to reach your bank safely. Your provider sets the price of the call.
See who called last
On a BT landline, dial 1471 to hear the last number that called you, unless it was withheld.
Check a list of UK phone numbers
Clean a UK contact list before an SMS campaign, or check every sign-up as it comes in.
- Upload a CSV or TXT file of UK numbers, in 07 or +44 format: up to 10,000 per batch
- Number type lookup from €0.0038 per number, live HLR lookup from €0.0038
- See which UK mobiles are switched on, and which have moved network since they were issued
- Pay only for lookups that succeed, and download the results as CSV, XLSX or JSON
7,420 of 10,000 checked
- +44 7700 900123Connected
- +44 7700 900456Absent
- +44 7700 900789Invalid
- Connected
- 6,912
- Absent
- 388
- Invalid
- 120
[
{ "inputValue": "447700900123", "resultStatus": "success", "currentNetwork": "Vodafone UK", "reachable": true, … },
{ "inputValue": "447700900456", "resultStatus": "success", "currentNetwork": "O2 UK", "reachable": false, … },
{ "inputValue": "447700900789", "resultStatus": "success", "currentNetwork": "Vodafone UK", "reachable": false, … }
]inputValue,resultStatus,currentNetwork,reachable,… 447700900123,success,Vodafone UK,true,… 447700900456,success,O2 UK,false,… 447700900789,success,Vodafone UK,false,…
inputValue | resultStatus | currentNetwork | reachable | … |
|---|---|---|---|---|
447700900123 | success | Vodafone UK | true | … |
447700900456 | success | O2 UK | false | … |
447700900789 | success | Vodafone UK | false | … |
UK phone number checker FAQ
UK number types, costs and what the checker can and can't tell you.
Type it into the checker at the top of this page. A UK number has 10 digits after the 0 (11 with it), with a few older 9-digit exceptions, and must be in a range that's in use. The result tells you if it's valid and, if not, why.
UK mobile numbers start with 07: 071 to 075 and 077 to 079, plus 07624 on the Isle of Man. Two 07 ranges are not mobiles: 070 is for personal numbers and 076 is for pagers. As a UK mobile number checker, the checker shows the type straight away.
A UK-wide number for organisations, such as public services and charities. Calling an 03 number costs no more than calling an 01 or 02 number, and it counts towards the inclusive minutes of your plan.
Yes: 0800 and 0808 numbers are free to call from UK mobiles and home landlines. Business lines should check with their provider, and calls from abroad are not free.
Personal "follow-me" numbers that forward calls to another phone. They are not mobiles, though they look like them. Your own provider sets the price, and some charge well above mobile rates: Ofcom warns that 070 numbers are used in missed-call scams.
Ofcom keeps 07700 900000 to 07700 900999 for TV and radio drama, so they are never given to anyone. There are drama ranges for landlines too, such as 020 7946 0xxx in London. The checker tells you when a number comes from one of them.
The checker shows the network the number was first issued to. UK mobile numbers can move to another network and keep their digits, so the network today can be different. A live HLR lookup shows the network it's on now, from €0.0038 per number.
Replace the leading 0 with +44: 020 7946 0123 becomes +44 20 7946 0123. For systems that need E.164, write it without spaces: +442079460123. The checker gives you all three formats to copy.
Not with this checker, and Bitcall doesn't show names or addresses. On a BT landline, 1471 tells you the last number that called you. If a call worries you, don't call it back and report it: see the section above.
The checker doesn't rate numbers for spam, but the type is a clue: take care with 070, 076, 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers and unexpected overseas calls. Forward scam texts to 7726, and report fraud to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or to Police Scotland on 101.
Ofcom's advice is not to call back numbers you don't recognise, particularly from overseas, and to take care with 070, 076, 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers. Genuine callers leave a voicemail or call again.
Yes, in the Bitcall panel: upload a CSV or TXT file of up to 10,000 numbers per batch, or send them through the REST API described in the lookup API documentation. A number type lookup costs from €0.0038 per number and a live HLR lookup from €0.0038, and you pay only for lookups that succeed.
Yes: it's a free phone number checker for UK numbers, with no limit and no signup, because it runs in your browser. The number isn't sent to Bitcall or anyone else.
Is that UK mobile switched on right now?
A live HLR lookup asks the UK mobile network: switched on, network today, ported and roaming. From €0.0038 per number, with no subscription.