🇬🇧International Calling Guide

Call London
Area Code 020

Start the call from any browser tab. There is no download, and you only add a number to receive inbound calls.

Product facts

  • Outbound: No dedicated number required.
  • Inbound: Requires US/Canada digital number ($2.14 to $5/month).
  • No apps: Works in Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox.
How to Dial
Calling LondonLine Active
🇬🇧

How to Call London from Anywhere

Follow these simple steps to reach London numbers using international format. We also show common pitfalls to avoid when calling UK numbers.

1

Start with +44

Use the plus sign or your country exit code then dial 44. This connects you to the UK. On mobile devices simply use the + sign.

2

Use 20 for London

After +44, add the London area code 20 then the 8 digit local number. Example: +44 20 7123 4567.

3

Do not confuse with mobile codes

UK mobile numbers start with 07. When calling from abroad drop the zero and use +44 7. Landlines and mobiles use different formats.

Dialing Examples

Clear examples for international and local dialing to London numbers.

Landline
+44 20 7123 4567
Format for any London landline
Mobile
+44 7900 123456
Drop the leading zero when dialing internationally

UK City Codes at a Glance

Common area and city codes for major United Kingdom cities including London area code 20.

CityRegionArea Code
LondonEngland20
BirminghamEngland121
ManchesterEngland161
GlasgowScotland141
EdinburghScotland131
CityRegionArea Code
BristolEngland117
LeedsEngland113
LiverpoolEngland151
CardiffWales29
BelfastNorthern Ireland28
Mobile Numbers

UK Mobile Basics

Understand the difference between landlines and mobiles and how to format numbers when calling internationally.

Mobile Prefixes

Most UK mobile numbers begin with 07. For international calls replace the leading zero with +44. Example local 07900 123456 becomes +44 7900 123456.

+44 7900 123456

London Landline History

You may see older references to 0207 and 0208. These are legacy subcodes. Today all London landlines use 020 plus the 8 digit number. When in doubt use +44 20 followed by the local number.

0207Now use 020 for London

Call London from Your Browser

StartACall connects your browser to the PSTN so you can call London landlines and mobiles without installing apps. Use virtual numbers, s, and real time analytics to manage calls at scale.

  • Make calls directly from Chrome Safari or Firefox
  • Buy and manage UK virtual numbers from within your browser
  • Use for live call assistance and transcriptions
  • Real time analytics and spend tracking

Transparent Billing

Track minutes and spending in real time with no surprises.

Global Reach

Call any UK city including London from your browser.

Secure

Encrypted voice calls and enterprise readiness.

Instant

Start calling in seconds. No complex setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does area code 020 cover?

Area code 020 covers Greater London. When calling from abroad use +44 20 followed by the eight digit local number.

Are 0207 and 0208 still valid?

0207 and 0208 are legacy prefixes that used to indicate parts of London. They are now unified under 020. Use +44 20 plus the local number.

How do I call a UK mobile from outside the UK?

Drop the leading zero and add +44. For example 07123 456789 becomes +44 7123 456789.

Can I get a UK virtual number with StartACall?

Yes. StartACall allows you to buy and manage virtual numbers from the UK and the US and Canada directly from your browser.

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Calling Rates to London 020 Numbers From Your Browser

In short

The 020 area code covers Greater London in the United Kingdom. With StartACall you can dial any 020 number straight from Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox, with no app, no SIM card and no phone number of your own. Calls to London are pay as you go and billed per minute, so you pay only for the time you actually talk.

How to dial an 020 London number

From outside the UK, the full international format is +44 20 followed by the 8 digit local number. You drop the leading 0 from 020 once you add the +44 country code, so a number written as 020 7946 0000 becomes +44 20 7946 0000. Inside StartACall you can paste the number in either form and the dialer formats it for you.

Open StartACall in your browser, allow microphone access, and enter the number. There is nothing to install and no SIM required, which makes it handy on a laptop, a work computer or a shared machine where you cannot put in a UK SIM.

What it costs to call London

Outbound calls to 020 London numbers are pay as you go and billed by the minute, so a short five minute call costs five minutes of talk time and nothing more. There is no monthly plan or contract required just to place outbound calls, and you never need to buy a phone number to make them.

If you also want London or other contacts to call you back, you can add a US or Canada digital number for roughly 2.14 to 5 dollars per month. That inbound number is optional and separate from outbound calling, so most people calling a single 020 number will not need it.

Why use a browser to reach London

Every call runs over an encrypted connection end to end, which is useful for business calls, legal or financial conversations, and anyone who simply wants privacy. Because it is browser based, it works the same whether you are in New York, Sydney or Lagos calling a London office.

Frequently asked questions

What area does the 020 code cover?+

020 is the area code for Greater London, including central districts and the surrounding boroughs. It is one of the largest dialing areas in the UK and uses 8 digit local numbers after the code.

How do I write a London number for international dialing?+

Use +44 20 then the 8 digit local number, dropping the leading 0 from 020. For example, 020 7946 0000 becomes +44 20 7946 0000. StartACall accepts either format and formats it correctly.

Do I need a phone number or SIM to call London?+

No. Outbound calls to 020 numbers need no SIM card and no phone number of your own. You only add a US or Canada digital number, at about 2.14 to 5 dollars per month, if you also want people to call you back.

How am I billed for calls to London?+

Calls are pay as you go and charged per minute, so you pay only for the minutes you talk. There is no contract or monthly fee required just to place outbound calls.

Last reviewed June 2026Reviewed by the StartACall calling teamDialing rules cross checked against ITU international dialing procedures
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