What Does +44 Mean in London?

By Robert Palmer

If you are planning to visit London, you might have come across the term “+44”. You may have seen it on phone numbers, email addresses, or even postal codes.

What does it mean? Let’s delve into the details.

Understanding the Basics

To put it simply, “+44” is the country code for the United Kingdom. It is used to indicate that a phone number or any other contact information belongs to a UK-based person or business. The country code is followed by a local area code and then the phone number.

Why is “+44” Used?

The use of country codes allows people to communicate with others in different countries without any confusion. As there are many countries in the world with similar area codes and phone numbers, using a country code eliminates any ambiguity. The use of a country code also helps in international billing and routing of calls.

Other Uses of “+44”

Apart from indicating a UK-based phone number, “+44” can also be used as an abbreviation for Great Britain or the United Kingdom. This usage is more common in informal settings such as social media or instant messaging.

How to Dial a UK Phone Number from Outside the Country

If you are outside of the UK and want to contact someone with a UK phone number, you need to add “+44” before dialing their local number. For example, if someone’s local number is 020 1234 5678, you would dial +442012345678 from outside of the UK.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you come across “+44” while visiting London or communicating with someone from the UK, remember that it is just their country code. Its use helps ensure smooth communication without any confusion about which country someone is based in.