A London phone number is a UK landline number starting with the 020 area code, followed by eight digits. You can get one without an office in London, because a provider can point the number at a mobile, a landline or an internet phone wherever you are. The usual route is to buy or rent a number from a supplier and set up call forwarding.
This article explains how London numbers are structured, what the 020 7, 020 8 and 020 3 prefixes mean today, how to choose a number, how to route calls and what to check before you move it. It is written for small business owners, sole traders, taxi firms, tradespeople and charities who want a London presence on the phone.
TL;DR
- London numbers begin 020 and are followed by eight digits, such as 020 7946 0123.
- The 7, 8 or 3 after 020 no longer tells callers where in London you are.
- You can forward a London number to a UK mobile or landline, or ring several phones at once.
- Choose a number that is easy to say and remember, from a supplier whose terms explain how to port it away.
- Check the rules on number use with Ofcom, and read ICO guidance before recording calls.
What counts as a London phone number
A London number is a geographic number in the 02 range. The area code is 020 and the local part is eight digits, so the full number has eleven digits including the leading zero. Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, sets the national numbering plan and publishes information on how number ranges are used, at Ofcom.
Callers within the UK dial the whole number, including 020. From abroad they drop the zero and use +44 20. On a van, website or business card, the usual layout is 020, then a four-digit group and another four-digit group.
The 020 code covers Greater London as a whole. It is not a mobile number and it is not a premium or non-geographic number. Calls to it are normally treated as standard landline calls, and many mobile and landline plans include them, though that depends on the caller's plan.
Examples in this article come from the ranges Ofcom reserves for drama use, such as 020 7946 0123, so none of them belongs to a real business.
020 7, 020 8 and 020 3: what the prefixes mean
Older Londoners still talk about inner and outer London numbers. Inner London was once 0171 and outer London 0181. Both became 020 7 and 020 8 when the codes were merged. A third block, 020 3, was added later as demand for numbers grew.
What each block tells you today
- 020 7: historically central and inner London. It still carries the most prestige for many firms.
- 020 8: historically outer London, including areas such as Croydon, Harrow and Bromley.
- 020 3: a newer block with no particular district attached.
These prefixes are a historic guide only. A customer ringing a 020 7 number cannot assume the business is in the West End, and a 020 3 number does not mean you are further out.
For most small firms, the choice between 7, 8 and 3 comes down to look and availability, not function. All three ring the same way and can be forwarded in the same way.
Pro Tip: Say the number aloud before you buy it. If you stumble over it, or have to repeat it twice on a call, customers will too.
Why businesses want a London number
A 020 number tells callers you operate in or serve the capital. For a plumber covering several boroughs, a courier or a consultancy that meets clients in the City, that familiarity can matter. It also separates the business line from your personal mobile.
Common reasons include:
- You work in London but are based elsewhere, for example a firm in Hampshire serving London clients.
- You run a taxi or minicab firm and want a number customers recognise as local.
- You are a charity or community group that wants a landline-style number without a physical office.
- You work from home and prefer not to give out a personal mobile number.
A London number does not guarantee more calls. It gives people a recognisable first impression, and the rest depends on your listing, your website and how quickly you answer. Treat it as part of your branding, not a shortcut.
The Federation of Small Businesses publishes general support for small firms, but it does not set rules on which area code to use. That choice is yours.
How to choose the right 020 number
Start with what you will do with the number. One printed on a van and read out over the phone needs to be simple. Repeated pairs and runs are easier to remember than random digits.
What to look for
- Easy to say: double digits or simple sequences, for example 020 7946 0100, are quick to repeat.
- Easy to type: avoid long strings of the same digit that people miskey.
- Right block: pick 7, 8 or 3 depending on look and what is on offer.
- Clear ownership: know who holds the number and whether it can move to another provider later.
Memorable numbers, sometimes called gold or vanity numbers, are usually listed at a higher price than ordinary ones. The price depends on the pattern and the supplier, so check the supplier's own listing for the current figure.
You can also use the number search to see which 020 numbers are available.
Pro Tip: Write your top three numbers on paper and read them to a colleague over the phone. The one they write down correctly first time is usually the winner.
How to route calls to a London number
A London number does not need a London desk. It is a number first and a routing choice second. These are the common options.
Forward to a mobile or landline
Calls to the 020 number are passed to an existing UK mobile or landline. This is the simplest set-up and suits sole traders and tradespeople who work on site.
Ring several phones at once
For a taxi firm or a small crew, the number can ring up to five phones together, so the first person to pick up takes the call. Taxi Connect Direct is built for that kind of use.
Use a SIM or internet phone
The number can sit on a mobile SIM on the EE network, or on a hosted voice (VoIP) service used with a desk phone or an app. You can then add a welcome announcement, queuing music, voicemail and call recording.
If you record calls, you handle personal data. The Information Commissioner's Office explains the data protection rules for organisations, so read its guidance before you switch recording on.
Porting and moving a London number
Porting means moving a number from one provider to another while keeping the digits. In practice, you ask the new provider to arrange the transfer, and the old provider releases the number. Whether and how that works depends on the supplier's terms and on who holds the number.
Things to have ready:
- The number or numbers you want to move.
- The name and address on the account with the current provider.
- Any outstanding balance or minimum term cleared, as contract terms can affect timing.
- A plan for where calls should land on the day of the move.
Timing depends on the providers involved, so do not promise customers a particular date. Aim for a quiet time, and test calls from a mobile and a landline afterwards.
Rented numbers behave differently from bought ones. If you rent or rent-to-buy, check whether the number can be moved before the purchase is complete. Ofcom publishes consumer information on numbering and switching at Ofcom, and that is the place to confirm the current rules.
Pro Tip: Before you print new stationery or van graphics, test-call the number from three different networks. Fix any routing problems first, then print.
Costs, calls and checks before you commit
There is no single price for a London number. What you pay depends on the number itself, whether you buy, rent or rent-to-buy, and which routing or hosted features you add. Forwarding may use minutes on your mobile or landline plan, so check how your provider treats forwarded calls.
Callers pay according to their own plan. Many include calls to 01 and 02 numbers in their allowance, but that is not universal. If cost matters to your customers, tell them what to expect.
Before you commit
- Read how the supplier handles porting out.
- Check whether any monthly rental covers forwarding or only the number.
- Ask what happens if you stop paying on a rent-to-buy deal.
- Register your business line with the Telephone Preference Service if you want to opt out of unsolicited sales calls.
Be careful with cold approaches offering a cheap number. Action Fraud takes reports of scams, and Citizens Advice can help with consumer disputes.
Our view is simple. Pick the number your customers can repeat after hearing it once, and keep it separate from your personal mobile. Do not agonise over 7 against 8, because callers rarely notice. What they do notice is a number that rings out. Set up forwarding, test it from different phones and have a fallback if your main mobile has no signal. A good number is only useful if somebody answers it.
- The PhoneNumbers.Store team
About PhoneNumbers.Store
PhoneNumbers.Store sells, rents and rent-to-buys memorable UK numbers, including 020 London numbers. You can start on the home page, use number search, or browse numbers by area. For routing, see products and services, which covers call forwarding, Taxi Connect Direct, the XL Mobile SIM on EE and XL Hosted Voice. You can also call us on 01329 007 007.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a London phone number if I am not in London?
Yes. A supplier can give you a 020 number and forward calls to a mobile or landline wherever you are. Many small firms use this to show a London presence. Check the supplier's terms and Ofcom's information on number use before relying on it for anything regulated.
What is the difference between 020 7 and 020 8?
Historically 020 7 was inner London and 020 8 was outer London, from the old 0171 and 0181 codes. Today they work in the same way, and callers cannot reliably tell where a business is from the digits. The choice is mostly about look and availability.
Can I keep my London number if I change provider?
Often yes, if you own the number and the supplier's terms allow it. The new provider arranges the port and the old one releases it. Timing varies, so test calls afterwards. If you rent the number, check the supplier's terms on moving it first.
Can one London number ring several phones?
Yes. A number can be set to ring up to five phones at once, which suits taxi firms and trades teams. Whoever answers first takes the call. You can add a welcome message, queuing music and voicemail for a more structured set-up.
Sources
- Ofcom: telephone numbering and consumer information, Ofcom
- Action Fraud: report fraud and cyber crime, Action Fraud
- TPS: Telephone Preference Service, Telephone Preference Service
- ICO: guidance for organisations, Information Commissioner's Office
- FSB: support for small businesses, Federation of Small Businesses
- Citizens Advice: consumer help, Citizens Advice
