023 area code

Southampton & Portsmouth

Coverage of the 023 area code

UK area code 023 is shared by the two separate cities of Portsmouth and Southampton on the Hampshire coast.

Southampton area - local numbers starting 8
Coverage includes: Ashurst, Bassett, Bursledon, Cadnam, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Fair Oak, Fawley, Hamble, Hampton, Hythe, Lyndhurst, Moorhill, Rownhams, Shirley, Totton and Woolston.

Portsmouth area - local numbers starting 9
Coverage includes: Compton, Cosham, Gosport, Hambledon, Havant, Hayling Island, Horndean, Lee-on-the-Solent, North End, Rowland's Castle and Waterlooville.

Number Format

Local telephone numbers are 8 digits long. An 023 number should be displayed in the format: (023) xxxx xxxx.

Phone number formatting examples:
Wrong: 02380 833000 0238 083 3000 (02380) 833000	Right: (023) 8083 3000 023 80833000 023 8083 3000

For overseas callers, use the style: +44 23 xxxx xxxx

Displaying 023 numbers in the correct format makes them easier to remember and dial correctly. [Reasons why...]

Recent History

The 023 area code has existed since April 2000. As of 2011, all standard local numbers begin with the digits 80, 81, 92 or 93.

1994	The area code for Southampton is 0703, while Portsmouth uses 0705. Example: (0703) 234567
1995	Nationwide renumbering leads to 0703 and 0705 becoming 01703 and 01705. No change to local numbers. Example: (01703) 234567
2000	Both codes replaced by 023. Old six-digit local numbers become eight digits long by prefixing with '80' in Southampton or '92' in Portsmouth. Example: (023) 80234567
2006	Local numbers beginning with 81 and 93 introduced.

Links

• How to write a UK phone number
• More about '02380', '02381', '02392' and '02393' numbers