How to say a UK phone number properly?

I hate when I number is given as '1-double 2-double 0-treble 3-4' (or some such)

I worked on an IT help desk when I first started working in the UK and trying to understand the accents much less being able to take their phone number in one go when it was double this and that was very frustrating. Plus I think US people group numbers differently that UK people would (not that one way is better than another, they are simply different), so just say the number slowly and you'll be ok.

I say UK numbers just like US ones-

xxxx xxx xxxx

Only difference is that the UK codes at the beginning of the number are usually 4 numbers rather than 3.

I found this really confusing when I first moved to England. I found my self writing the word 'double' until I realized they mean 5-5. I hate when I number is given as '1-double 2-double 0-treble 3-4' (or some such). It's so confusing!!!

Well, I found that even more confusing when it was someone spelling a name or whatever. I kept thinking they were about to say "double-u" (W) all the time. Now, I find myself doing it. 

Only difference is that the UK codes at the beginning of the number are usually 4 numbers rather than 3.

And sometimes 5 numbers - most of the area codes down where I live are 5 numbers (i.e. 01452, 01453, 01454), followed by xxx-xxx. They used to be 4 numbers (i.e. 0454), but the 1 was added in the mid-'90s (I remember it well, because the phone number for the BBC's Live and Kicking show changed from 081-811-8181 to 0181-811-8181, and they had to come up with a new jingle for it !).

And sometimes 5 numbers - most of the area codes down where I live are 5 numbers (i.e. 01452, 01453, 01454), followed by xxx-xxx. They used to be 4 numbers (i.e. 0454), but the 1 was added in the mid-'90s (I remember it well, because the phone number for the BBC's Live and Kicking show changed from 081-811-8181 to 0181-811-8181, and they had to come up with a new jingle for it !).

yep that's true!  Sheffield still has a 4 number code though so that's what I use most often

And sometimes 5 numbers - most of the area codes down where I live are 5 numbers (i.e. 01452, 01453, 01454), followed by xxx-xxx. They used to be 4 numbers (i.e. 0454), but the 1 was added in the mid-'90s (I remember it well, because the phone number for the BBC's Live and Kicking show changed from 081-811-8181 to 0181-811-8181, and they had to come up with a new jingle for it !).

I will remember the live & kicking telephone number until the day I die!

I found this really confusing when I first moved to England. I found my self writing the word 'double' until I realized they mean 5-5. I hate when I number is given as '1-double 2-double 0-treble 3-4' (or some such). It's so confusing!!!

Ha ha, I did that too at first.

I don't mind when people say "double #" but when they say "treble #", for some reason that still confuses me.

But Leeds is 0113 and I say it as "oh double one three".

I think all the confusion is because there is no standardised area code across the country. Some have three numbers, some have four, some have five. And then there are the mobile numbers!

Although, I have to admit I like that mobile numbers are different because then you know it's a mobile number whereas in the states you can't tell from the number itself.

yep that's true!  Sheffield still has a 4 number code though so that's what I use most often

 At least 10 years ago the 1 was put after the 0 to make codes 5 numbers, however a number of larger cities were given new 4 digit codes so they could have more phone numbers...e.g. Leeds 0113, Sheffield (is it 0114?) and a number put in front of their 6 figure phone number....in Leeds they put a 2 in front. This led to a bit of confusion and even now I know of people who say the code is 01132 and then give a 6 digit phone number!

At least 10 years ago the 1 was put after the 0 to make codes 5 numbers, however a number of larger cities were given new 4 digit codes so they could have more phone numbers...e.g. Leeds 0113, Sheffield (is it 0114?) and a number put in front of their 6 figure phone number....in Leeds they put a 2 in front. This led to a bit of confusion and even now I know of people who say the code is 01132 and then give a 6 digit phone number!

Thanks for explaining that! I wondered.

Wow, this is a lot more complicated than I expected! At least perhaps I haven't sounded like too much of an idiot rattling off my digits at random.

I was particularly wondering about my mobile number. I naturally want to say it as xxxx-xxx -xxxx, but from this discussion it sounds like I *should* be saying xxxxx-xxx-xxx.

I just have no idea how long the "area code" part is. Is it the first four digits or five digits?

I was particularly wondering about my mobile number. I naturally want to say it as xxxx-xxx -xxxx, but from this discussion it sounds like I *should* be saying xxxxx-xxx-xxx.

Yes, it's more common to say XXXXX XXX XXX or XXXXX XXXXXX.  Most people would say the first five digits together.  My husband used to say his XXXX and then the rest; I think because the last digit of the first part and the first digit of the second part was the same number, so that's just how he thought of it.  But it probably confused people a bit.

I just have no idea how long the "area code" part is. Is it the first four digits or five digits?

It really depends on where you are talking about.  It varies from 3 to 5 digits.

It seems natural to say my UK mobile number as 07504 nnnnnn because the first 5 digits identify the operator. 07504 is one of the codes assigned to Virgin Mobile, then you have a 6 figure number for the phone. I find it easier to remember that way.

A lot of people in Bristol cling to their dear old 6 figure numbers, and insist that the code is 01179. What they make of 0117 3xx xxxx numbers I can't imagine. Don't get me started on London! Greater London numbers 8 digits preceded by the 020 area code. 020 8123 5678 for example. Many people think the code is 0207 for inner London and 0208 for outer London. However this is wrong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_telephone_code_misconceptions

Where I live in Derby the city code is 01332 and then our 6 digit number. When I dial locally (within the 01332 city code) I only have to dial the last 6 digits. I often see businesses advertise their phone number as Derby xxx xxx or Derby xx xx xx. So I don't think that there is 'one way that is the best' it's just how you feel comfortable saying it.

At least 10 years ago the 1 was put after the 0 to make codes 5 numbers, however a number of larger cities were given new 4 digit codes so they could have more phone numbers...e.g. Leeds 0113, Sheffield (is it 0114?) and a number put in front of their 6 figure phone number....in Leeds they put a 2 in front. This led to a bit of confusion and even now I know of people who say the code is 01132 and then give a 6 digit phone number!

yep, sheffield is 0114....All Sheffield numbers used to be 0114 2xxx xxx, but they ran out of numbers a couple of years ago so now there are some 0114 3xxx xxx numbers floating around!  Which confuses people who aren't used to seeing that.

being able to take their phone number in one go when it was double this and that was very frustrating.

it might be frustrating, but that's the way we do it here, so it would probably be a good idea to get used to it from the start.