There are so many different types of phone numbers now it can all be a bit confusing. How much does it really cost to call them? 0800, 0870, 0845…  Why are there so many different numbers and what are they for?

If you’re advertising one of these numbers then it’s probably best to go for the simplest, most easily understood option. After all, what really matters is how much the consumer thinks it costs to call these numbers, and they know what that’ll be when they call a Geographic Number.

Here’s a useful guide to the most widely used phone numbers, who uses them, what they’re used for and how much it costs to call them from landlines and mobiles.

The actual cost, however, will depend on your telecoms provider and other factors such as your calling plan, the time of day you call and the exact number dialled. It’s a good idea to check with your telecoms provider before you make a call.

Besides a pence per minute rate, most landline providers charge a connection fee, which is usually 15p.

01 and 02 numbers are Geographic Numbers.

Numbers we’re familiar with, using STD codes, short for Standard Trunk Dialling, otherwise known as area codes and allocated to domestic and business lines. For example, Harlow and Bishops Stortford is 01279, Birmingham is 0121, Guildford is 01483 and Inner London is 020 7.

Calls from landlines are usually charged up to 9p per minute whilst calls from mobiles are billed at between 8p and 40p per minute

dependent upon your tariff. For landlines there is often also a connection fee, and call charges vary according to what time of day you ring. Almost all providers offer to include some calls free of charge if they’re made at specific times of the day.

03 numbers are Nationwide numbers

There are a considerable number of organisations use 03 numbers instead of perceived “premium rate” 08xx numbers.

They should cost no more than calls to 01 or 02 numbers and must be included in any inclusive minutes and discount schemes in a similar fashion. Calls from landlines are usually charged up to 9p per minute whilst calls from mobiles are billed at between 8p and 40p per minute dependent upon your tariff. Calls from landlines and mobiles are included in free call tariffs.

0300 numbers

Used by charities and other not-for-profit organisations to offer the general public a single point of contact  no matter where they happen to be in the UK. HMRC, Police Forces, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, UNICEF, Cancer Research UK, local councils, and a variety of government departments use 03xx numbers.

They should cost no more than calls to 01 or 02 numbers and must be included in any inclusive minutes and discount schemes in a similar fashion. Calls from landlines are usually charged up to 9p per minute whilst calls from mobiles are billed at between 8p and 40p per minute dependent upon your tariff. Calls from landlines and mobiles are included in free call tariffs.

07xx numbers – Mobile phone numbers

Calls from landlines to mobiles are typically charged between 6p and 32p per minute whilst calls from mobiles are billed at between 8p and 40p per minute dependent upon your tariff. Mobile to mobile calls are included in free call packages.

070 numbers are personal numbers

More expensive than standard 07 mobile numbers, they are “follow me” numbers which are often used by small businesses so they can pick up calls no matter where they are.

Sometimes used on a one-off basis, for example where you advertise a secondhand car for sale and you don’t want to give out your usual mobile or home phone number. They cost between 4p and 65p a minute to call from a landline, with a connection fee of up to 51p, and cost between 30p a and £1.50 a minute to ring from a mobile.

0800 numbers are Freephone numbers

These also include 0808 and 0500 numbers and are used by charity helplines, government agencies and plenty of businesses.

Calls are normally free of charge to the caller if they ring from a landline but the organisation that rents the number will be billed a pence per minute rate. Callers from mobile numbers will pay anything from 7p to 40p a minute.

0843 and 0844 Business Numbers

Calls from landlines to mobiles are typically charged between 1p and 13p per minute whilst calls from mobiles are billed at between 5p and 41p per minute depending upon the telecoms provider and the actual number called.

0845 Business Numbers

Calls from landlines to mobiles are typically charged between 1p and 12p per minute, pluss a connection fee. Calls from mobiles are billed at between 5p and 40p per minute depending upon the telecoms provider and the actual number called.

0870 Business Numbers

These often cost no more than a Geographic Number to call and are usually included in your BT tariff. Calls from landlines from other telecoms providers are typically charged up to 12p per minute , together with a connection fee. Calls from mobiles are billed at between 5p and 40p per minute depending upon the telecoms provider and the actual number called.

0871 Business Numbers

Calls from landlines are typically charged between 11p and 15p per minute , together with a connection fee. Calls from mobiles are billed at between 5p and 40p per minute depending upon the telecoms provider and the actual number called. They are regulated by PhonepayPlus.

09 Premium Numbers

Used for chat lines, adult services, competition lines, horoscopes and information lines. Also regulated by PhonepayPlus. You can use Call Barring to stop these numbers being called. Calls from landlines are typically charged between 9p and £2.95 per minute. Calls from mobiles are billed at between 75p and £3 per minute.

Charges correct as at 7th July 2014