Buy a UK Phone Number

Before you buy a UK phone number, decide what contact you want customers to use and where you need their calls to arrive. Make three decisions first: the number type, how you will answer and the plan that covers your calls.

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New number or number transfer

You will choose and order the number on the provider’s website. Before you go, decide whether you need a new number or want to transfer one you already use. Keeping an established number may save changing your published contact details.

Choose your UK number type

For an area-specific contact, start with a local number. For customers across the country, compare 0330 with freephone. If the digits themselves matter, review memorable-number options before committing to a standard selection.

buying a local number buying a 0330 number buying an 0800 number

Prepare your account and answering setup

Have your intended use and answering method clear. An app-based service needs a suitable device and connection; forwarding sends calls to another number. Check outgoing caller ID separately if you want to return calls as your business.

UK number requirements prepare a number transfer

Check rental, usage and contract terms

Read the full commitment: number or setup charges, monthly rental, included calls, extra usage and cancellation terms. Confirm whether quoted prices include VAT and whether a chosen number carries an additional charge.

compare the full cost

View available UK numbers

The next link takes you to UK number options with the provider. Check the final number, plan and terms there before ordering. Availability is determined at the point of selection.

A few practical answers