How many digits are in a typical phone number?
Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 7:18 am
The number of digits in a typical phone number can vary significantly depending on the country and even the type of service (e.g., landline, mobile, special services). However, there's a global standard that defines the maximum length for international phone numbers.
According to the ITU-T Recommendation E.164, an international phone number (which includes the country code and the national significant number) can have a maximum of 15 digits. This standard is designed to ensure global uniqueness and efficient routing of calls.
Let's look at some examples of typical lengths for the national significant number (the part after the country code, without the initial plus sign):
United States and Canada (Country Code +1): A typical phone number consists of a 3-digit area code followed by a 7-digit local number, totaling 10 digits for the National Significant Number. So, in international format, it's +1 XXX YYY-ZZZZ.
United Kingdom (Country Code +44): UK phone numbers often have 9 or 10 digits after the country code. For example, London numbers (area code 20) are 8 digits long, so +44 20 XXXX XXXX. Mobile numbers usually start with 7 and have 9 digits (e.g., +44 7XXX XXXXXX).
Australia (Country Code +61): Australian mobile numbers are 9 digits long (e.g., +61 4XX XXX XXX). Landlines typically have an 8-digit local number preceded by a 1-digit area code (e.g., +61 2 XXXX XXXX).
Germany (Country Code +49): German numbers vary, but a typical chinese singapore phone number list mobile number is 10 or 11 digits long after the country code. Landlines can also vary in length based on the area code and local number.
India (Country Code +91): Mobile numbers in India are typically 10 digits long (e.g., +91 XXXXXXXXXX). Landline numbers can vary from 7 to 10 digits depending on the area code length.
China (Country Code +86): Mobile numbers are consistently 11 digits long. Landlines vary, usually between 7 or 8 digits for the local number plus a 2 or 3-digit area code.
In summary:
Common Range for National Numbers: Most countries use national phone numbers (including any area codes) that range from 8 to 11 digits.
International E.164 Limit: When you include the country code (which can be 1 to 3 digits), the total length of an international phone number must not exceed 15 digits.
Shortest Numbers: Very small countries or special services might have shorter national numbers (e.g., as few as 4-5 digits in some isolated regions, or 3-5 digits for emergency/special service numbers within a country).
Therefore, while a "typical" phone number most often refers to a 10-digit national number in many large countries (like the US, Canada, India, China for mobiles), the actual digit count can be anywhere from a handful for tiny nations/special services to the 15-digit E.164 maximum for global compatibility.
According to the ITU-T Recommendation E.164, an international phone number (which includes the country code and the national significant number) can have a maximum of 15 digits. This standard is designed to ensure global uniqueness and efficient routing of calls.
Let's look at some examples of typical lengths for the national significant number (the part after the country code, without the initial plus sign):
United States and Canada (Country Code +1): A typical phone number consists of a 3-digit area code followed by a 7-digit local number, totaling 10 digits for the National Significant Number. So, in international format, it's +1 XXX YYY-ZZZZ.
United Kingdom (Country Code +44): UK phone numbers often have 9 or 10 digits after the country code. For example, London numbers (area code 20) are 8 digits long, so +44 20 XXXX XXXX. Mobile numbers usually start with 7 and have 9 digits (e.g., +44 7XXX XXXXXX).
Australia (Country Code +61): Australian mobile numbers are 9 digits long (e.g., +61 4XX XXX XXX). Landlines typically have an 8-digit local number preceded by a 1-digit area code (e.g., +61 2 XXXX XXXX).
Germany (Country Code +49): German numbers vary, but a typical chinese singapore phone number list mobile number is 10 or 11 digits long after the country code. Landlines can also vary in length based on the area code and local number.
India (Country Code +91): Mobile numbers in India are typically 10 digits long (e.g., +91 XXXXXXXXXX). Landline numbers can vary from 7 to 10 digits depending on the area code length.
China (Country Code +86): Mobile numbers are consistently 11 digits long. Landlines vary, usually between 7 or 8 digits for the local number plus a 2 or 3-digit area code.
In summary:
Common Range for National Numbers: Most countries use national phone numbers (including any area codes) that range from 8 to 11 digits.
International E.164 Limit: When you include the country code (which can be 1 to 3 digits), the total length of an international phone number must not exceed 15 digits.
Shortest Numbers: Very small countries or special services might have shorter national numbers (e.g., as few as 4-5 digits in some isolated regions, or 3-5 digits for emergency/special service numbers within a country).
Therefore, while a "typical" phone number most often refers to a 10-digit national number in many large countries (like the US, Canada, India, China for mobiles), the actual digit count can be anywhere from a handful for tiny nations/special services to the 15-digit E.164 maximum for global compatibility.