Technology has significantly developed and advanced over the communication evolution, as seen from the days of the telegraph to the existence of the mobile phones we use today. This means it has become cheaper and more convenient to communicate with people in different parts of the world, whether for business or personal reasons.
Rebtel estimates that about 6 % of global call traffic is made by VoIP. Estimates show that only 2 billion international calls are made yearly in the USA! However, despite all this progress, knowing the formats of International phone numbers is still necessary.
This blog will discuss various aspects of number formats for foreign mobile numbers, such as writing a phone number with the country code and converting a telephone number to an international format.
What Is the International Phone Number Format?
The international phone format is a method of writing down phone numbers in case of an international call from one country to another. It consists of the destination country code, the area code, if there is any, and then the local telephone number.
Telephone numbers and the Format Used in Different Countries of the World
1. United States (US)
Format: +1 AAA NXX-XXXX | For Instance +1 123 456-7890
2. United Kingdom (UK)
Format: Hyal +44 with AAA NXX XXXX | Example: +44 20 123 456 78
3. Australia
Format: [+] Australian Area Code preceded by +61 and seven-digit number: NNNN NNNN ** Example:+61 2 1234 5678
4. Canada
Format: +1 is for International calls, AAA represents the Area Code, and NXX-XXXX is for the Phone No. | Example: +1 416 123-4567
5. Italy
Format: +39 AA NNNN NNNN Continued with figure +39 02 _,1234,5678
6. India
Format: ’+91 AAA NNNN NNNN’ | Example: +91 12345 67890
7. Germany
Format: +49 AAA NNNNNNNN | Examples: + 49 30 165 77 35 88
(A: Area Code/Acces Number: N/Local Number)
For instance, if you are calling a number in Denmark from the United States, you would first have to dial the plus sign (+) or the double zero (00), followed by Denmark’s country code of 45, the area code, if any, and the local phone number.
For example, You are planning to call a friend in Australia, and his or her phone number is 04XX XXX XXX. If you are dialling it from the USA, you would simply dial +61 4XX XXX XXX of 011 61 4XX XXX XXX, where +61 or 011 61 is the Australian country code.
In summary, including the international telephone number format ensures that your calls get through regardless of your location and the person you want to call.
The E. 164 International Standard for Phone Number Format
The E. 164 International Standard is a set of guidelines that can be viewed as a rulebook guiding the numbering of phones around the globe. It helps ensure that phone numbers’ format is nearly identical regardless of location. This also helps ensure that individuals in other countries don’t get hopelessly confused when trying to make a call.
For instance, if you are writing a letter to your friend who lives in another country, you must follow some rules, such as placing the country code before placing the address. The E. 164 Standard performs the same for phone numbers.
Every country is also assigned a unique country code. For instance, the country code for the United States is + 1. After that, every phone number within that country is characterised by a specific format, preceded by an international calling code such as 0 or 1.
When you combine the numbers, you get a foreign phone number format like this: It is also dialled as + Country Code (National Dialing Prefix) Phone Number. So, for example, a phone number in the United States might look like this: Add 1 and dial 5551234567.
Following this standard, people worldwide can comprehend phone numbers regardless of their country of origin. It is like having a way everyone understands to make phone calls!
How to Express Different Countries' Phone Numbers in International Format?
Learning about international phone number formats becomes imperative when making calls or translating numbers into words while dialling global phone numbers.
Every nation has different calling formats, including the country code and local number or area code, depending on the country’s category.
Let’s understand how to write phone numbers in international format for the six most popular countries: Let’s understand how to write phone numbers in international format for the six most popular countries:
1. United States (US) Phone Numbers in International Format
In the United States for example, the phone numbers are in a format of area code plus local code, which is a code of three digits followed by a code of seven. To write a US phone number in international format, follow these steps:
- Dial the country code 1 before the area code and the local number.
- If the digit added at the beginning of the area code, or the number, equals zero, then this zero should be deleted.
The current international format of US phone numbers is 10 digits, with the area code as three digits and the local number as seven digits.
Example: write it as (123) 456-7890 as it will look like this: +1 123 456 7890
For instance, when you use a cell phone with a link from the US and have the number (123) 456-7890, the international format is +1 123 456- 7890. The code “1” refers to the United States, while the area code and the local number remain the same.
Something noteworthy is that some of the territories in the United States, such as Puerto Rico and Guam, use the country code “1” for their telephone numbers. When dialling internationally, ensure that you use the correct area code and local number following the country code to ensure that you are put through to the correct destination in the US or any of its territories.
2. UK Phone Numbers In International Format
Telephone numbers in any part of Great Britain are usually in the form – 0XX XXXX XXXX. To write a UK phone number in international format:
- Delete ‘0’ from the beginning of the area code.
- The country code is 44, followed by the area and local numbers.
Phone numbers in the United Kingdom have 11 digits that start with a digit zero and are then divided into an area code and the local number. For instance, the international format from the British number 01234 567890 converts to +44 1234 567890. For instance, if your number is in the United Kingdom format, such as 01234 567890, then the number in the international format is +44 1234 567890. The country code here is 44, followed by the area and local numbers. While dialing a UK phone number from another country the country code must be included as 44 before the area code and the number.
3. Australia Phone Numbers in the format of International Phone Number
Australian phone numbers most often have a format of a two-digit area code and eight digits on an owner’s local number. To write an Australian phone number in international format:
- Include the country code “61” before the area code and local number.
- Australian phone numbers consist of ten digits, with the first two representing the area code and the next eight representing the local number.
Example: A simple format of phone numbers in Australia as 02 1234 5678 while the international format is represented as +61 2 1234 5678 For instance, if you have an Australian phone number (02) 1234 5678, in international format, it would be +61 2 1234 5678. The country code is “61” for Australia, the area code remains the same, and the last four numbers remain the same. In conclusion, when dialling an Australian number from an international location, always add the ‘country code’ of 61, the area code, and the local number. This ensures that the call connects appropriately.
4.Canadian Phone Numbers In International Format
Canadian phone numbers are also comparable to those of the United States, containing a three-digit area code and a seven-digit local number. To write a Canadian phone number in international format:
- Before the area code and the local number, you must put “1, ” the country code.
- Canadian phone numbers have 10 digits, with a 3-digit area code and a 7-digit local number.
Example: This means that (123) 456 7890 becomes +1 123 456 7890 For instance, if your contact details are a Canadian number, such as 123 456 7890, it will be +1 123 456 7890 internationally. The country code of ‘1’ is meant for Canada, and the remaining digits, separated by ‘-‘, are the Area code and local number. If you dial a Canadian number from another country, you must dial the country code, 1, before the area code and the local number. This ensures that your call connects to the correct location in Canada.
4. Italy Phone Numbers In International Format
Phone numbers in Italy have a two-digits area code and an eight-digit local number, with the whole string without the first zero constituting the national phone number. To write an Italian phone number in international format:
- Before the area code and local number, you need to add the country code ‘39’.
- Italy uses 10 digits in phone numbers where the first two digits represent the area code and the last eight digits as the local code.
For instance, if you have an Italian phone number, 02 1234 5678, in the international format, you will dial +39 02 1234 5678. The country code changes to “39” for Italy, while the area code and local number remain the same. But if you are calling the number in Italy from outside Italy, you must include the Italian Country code 39, the area code, and the local number. This ensures that your call rings through to the correct location in Italy.
5. India Phone numbers in International format
Indian phone numbers have different formats; however, general Indian phone numbers consist of an area code of three digits plus a seven-digit local number. To write an Indian phone number in an international format:
- Include the country code ‘91’ along with the area and local numbers.
- Indian phone numbers have ten digits, splitting the regional code into three digits and the local number into seven digits.
Example: The formatted number is +91 123 456 7890 For example, if you have an Indian phone number such as 0123 456789, the same number in international format is + 91 123 456 7890. In other words, the first three digits, namely, the country code of 91, refer to India, but the area code and local number do not change. When dialling an Indian number overseas, you should prefix the Indian country code ‘91’ to the area code and the number. This helps ensure your call goes through to the right point in India. This will eliminate the chances of confusing the country code for the phone numbers being dialled, either internationally or locally.
-
Conclusion
Comprehending the format used in many countries while making international calls is crucial. Using the correct formats of international phone numbers, including the proper country and local area codes, not only ensures that you are reaching out to the right customers but also reduces the chances of the call being wrongly routed or delayed. Furthermore, there are also online resources through which you may find the phone number in an international format.
FAQS
To write your phone number with the international code, add the country code before your local number. For instance, ‘+1’ for the United States, ‘+44’ for the United Kingdom.
Telephone numbers that are assigned internationally may have a limited number of digits. Some may have 10 digits, and some have more or less than 10 digits.
Several service providers, such as CallHippo, offer international phone numbers as part of virtual phone services. Develop a list of potential providers and compare their options to identify the best fit for your needs.
When writing down a phone number with a country code, the first symbol should be a plus (+), then the country code, the area code (if any), and the local number. For example, +1 for an American number, 123 456 7890.
Yes, you can, but you must provide the country’s exit code when you dial.
It is the international format for housing phone numbers, making communication worldwide more standardized.
