Which Numbers are Free to Call and Which Will Cost You?
June 7, 2023
In situations where you need to make a phone call to a business or organisation, it’s handy to know which numbers will cost you. There’s plenty of confusion about numbers like 0800, 0300, 045, and so on. In this helpful blog, we’ll clarify which numbers are free to call, which ones aren’t, and how much they’ll cost.
What is an 0800 number?
0800 and 0808 numbers, also known as ‘freephone numbers’ are UK non-geographic numbers often used by businesses. When you ring an 0800 number, the call is charged to the receiver, not the caller. Businesses choose 0800 numbers to encourage people to get in touch.
Are 0800 numbers free to call?
Calls to 0800 and 0808 numbers are free from all mobiles and landlines. However, it will cost you to ring numbers like 0844, 0845, 0870, and 0871.
What is an 0300 number?
0300 numbers are UK-wide national numbers used by charities, not-for-profit organisations, and public bodies.
Are 0300 numbers free to call?
0300 numbers are not free to call. Calling from a landline costs up to 10p per minute, while calls from mobile cost between 3p to 40p per minute.
Which numbers does it cost to call?
Below, we’ve included a list of key UK numbers and the approximate amount it’ll cost to call them.
01 and 02 numbers
01 and 02 numbers are geographic numbers for specific parts of the UK. Calling from a landline costs up to 16p per minute, while calls from mobile cost between 3p to 65p per minute.
03 and 0345 numbers
03 and 0345 numbers are UK-wide numbers. Calling from a landline costs up to 16p per minute, while calls from mobile cost between 3p to 65p per minute.
030 numbers
030 numbers belong to charities, not-for-profit organisations, and public bodies. Calling from a landline costs up to 10p per minute, while calls from mobile cost between 3p to 40p per minute.
07 numbers
07 numbers denote mobile numbers. Calling from a landline costs between 10p and 20p per minute, while calls from mobile cost between 3p and 65p per minute.
070 numbers
070 numbers refer to personal or ‘follow me’ numbers. These are regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority. Calling from a landline costs 50p per minute, while calls from mobile cost 86p per minute.
0800 and 0808 numbers
0800 and 0808 numbers are freephone services. They’re free to call on both mobile and landline.
0843, 0844, and 0845 numbers
0843, 0844, and 0845 numbers are business rate numbers. Calling from a landline or a mobile costs up to 7p per minute and your phone company’s access charge.
0870, 0871, 0872, and 0873 numbers
0870, 0871, 0872, and 0873 numbers are business rate numbers regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority. Calling from a landline or a mobile costs up to 13p per minute and your phone company’s access charge.
09 numbers
09 numbers are premium rate numbers regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority. Calling from a landline or mobile costs up to £3.60 and your phone company’s access charge, plus 5p to £6 per call.
101
101 is the police non-emergency number. It’s free to call on both landline and mobile.
105
105 is the UK-wide power cut helpline. It’s free to call on both landline and mobile.
111
111 is the non-emergency medical advice number. It’s free to call on both landline and mobile.
112
112 is the emergency services number. It’s free to call on both landline and mobile.
116 numbers
116 numbers are freephone numbers. They’re free to call on both landlines and mobiles.
118 numbers
118 numbers are directory enquiry numbers regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority. Calling on landline and mobile costs up to £3.65 per 90 seconds and your phone company’s access charge.
999
999 is the emergency services number. It’s free to call on both landline and mobile.
Frequently asked questions
Are 0800 numbers free on pay-as-you-go?
0800 numbers are free to call whether you’re on a pay-as-you-go or a mobile contract. If you’re calling numbers like 0845 or 0870, you should check the terms and conditions of your mobile provider to avoid any unexpected costs.
Are 0800 numbers free if you call from abroad?
If you call an 0800 number when abroad you’ll be charged international rates, so it’s always a good idea to check the company website to see if there’s a cheaper option. If you need to ring an 0800 number when abroad, make sure you check the call rates with your provider.
Can you text 0800 numbers?
You can’t text numbers beginning with 03, 08, or 09 unless the organisation has specifically stated that they can receive texts in this way.
What is the difference between 0800 and 0808 numbers?
0800 numbers were the first number prefix designated as free to call in the UK. However, due to their popularity, they’re running out for many suppliers. Therefore, Ofcom created a new 0808 number designated for free use.
Ultimately, the only difference between 0800 numbers and 0808 numbers is that 0800 numbers are more familiar, and therefore more popular. Both numbers are free to call, so there are no practical differences.
How can you avoid paying for expensive 08 numbers?
There are a couple of ways you can avoid paying for expensive calls to 08 numbers. First, look to see if a company has an alternative number for customers calling from abroad. This will usually begin with +44 1 or +44 2 and costs the same as a normal landline. You can also look to see if a company has an 03 number in addition to their 08 number. 03 numbers are similar in cost to 01 and 02 geographic numbers and will be included in your minutes’ allowance if you have a landline or mobile contract.
–
You might also like: