UK Area Code Finder
Quick and easy telephone dialling code information
020 area code
London
UK area code 020 covers central London and most of the rest of the Greater London area. It also covers small parts of Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey.
Number Format
Local telephone numbers are 8 digits long. An 020 number should be displayed in the format: (020) xxxx xxxx.
| Phone number formatting examples: | |
|---|---|
|
Wrong:
0207 2221234 02072 221234 (0207) 2221234 |
Right:
(020) 7222 1234 020 72221234 020 7222 1234 |
For overseas callers, use the style: +44 20 xxxx xxxx
Displaying 020 numbers in the correct format makes them easier to remember and dial correctly. [Reasons why...]
Recent History
The 020 area code has existed since April 2000. As of 2012, all standard local numbers begin with '3', '7' or '8'.
| 1958 | Beginnings of 'subscriber trunk dialling'. During the following decade, London standardises on 7-digit numbers and the area code 01. Example: 01-222 1234 |
| 1990 | London area code split into two: 071 for inner London and 081 for outer London. Example: (071) 222 1234 |
| 1995 | Area codes 071 and 081 become 0171 and 0181 as part of national renumbering. Example: (0171) 222 1234 |
| 2000 | London returns to a single area code: 020. Local numbers become eight digits long: old 7-digit numbers from the 0171 area are prefixed with '7', while those from the 0181 area are prefixed with '8'. Example: (020) 7222 1234 |
| 2005 | Local numbers beginning with '3' made available. |
Links
- Factsheet: 020 - time to get it right! (705KB PDF)
- 020 on Wikipedia - coverage and history
- BT Number Change guide - extract from 1999 original (128KB JPG)
- Purple Slinky - explains the 020 and 0207/0208 confusion
- More about London '0203', '0207' and '0208' numbers
