India Dialling Codes: Country Code, Area Codes, and How to Call from the UK

What are India’s dialling codes? (Quick answer)

The area code for India is +91 (which numerically is 00 91). If you’re calling India from the UK, dial 00, then 91, then the Indian landline’s area code without its leading 0, followed by the local number. For an Indian mobile, dial 00 or +, 91, and the full 10-digit mobile number. Area codes for major cities include: Delhi 11, Mumbai 22, and Kolkata 33.

All the facts in a glance

• From a UK landline, dial the international exit code 00, followed by 91 for India.
• Indian landlines use an area code; leave out the leading 0 when calling from the UK.
• Indian mobile numbers have 10 digits and don’t have an area code. Mobile numbers typically start with 6, 7, 8, or 9.
• To keep the cost of calls down, compare your UK provider’s international rates with internet calling services before making regular calls.

India country code: +91 explained

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) assigns country calling codes as part of its E.164 framework. The country code for India is +91.

When dialling India from the UK, +91 and 00 91 serve the same purpose. To make calling India more straightforward, save Indian numbers in your phone with the +91-prefix included. 

Use the +91-country code when you’re calling India from any other country, and whether you’re calling a mobile or a landline. What comes after +91 depends on the type of number you’re calling.

India area codes: reference table for major cities

Landline area codes in India are called Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) codes. In other words, an India area code is also known as an STD code. Different geographic areas of the country have different codes for landline numbers. When you’re calling a landline from within India, you include the leading 0 of the STD code. If you’re calling India from the United Kingdom and you’re calling a landline, remove the first 0 of the STD code.

For example, Delhi’s domestic STD code is 011, but from the UK you dial +91 11. Here’s a table giving India dialling codes:

STD codes are used when calling landlines, not Indian mobile numbers. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) provides additional information.

Below are step-by-step guidelines on how to call India from the UK.

Calling an Indian landline from the UK

To call an Indian landline from a UK landline:

1. Dial 00 or +, the UK international exit code.
2. Dial 91, India’s country code.
3. Dial the Indian STD code without its leading 0.
4. Dial the local landline number.

For example, if a Delhi landline is written domestically as 011-23456789, dial 00 91 11 23456789 from a UK landline. The India dialling code from a UK mobile is + instead of 00 at the start of the number: +91 11 23456789.

Calling an Indian mobile number from the UK

In India, the phone number format for mobile numbers is 10 digits, and mobiles don’t have geographic area codes. According to TRAI, Indian mobile numbers begin with 6, 7, 8, or 9.

To call an Indian mobile from outside of India:

1. Dial 00 from a UK landline, or use + from a mobile.
2. Dial 91.
3. Dial the full 10-digit Indian mobile number.

For example, to reach the Indian mobile number 98765 43210 dial +91 98765 43210 from the UK or anywhere outside of India. Don’t add an Indian STD area code before a mobile number. Note that some UK budget/Mobile Virtual Network Operator SIMs may need international calling enabled.

How much does it cost to call India from the UK?

Costs will vary depending on your UK provider, tariff, number type, and any international add-ons. Ofcom advises checking provider terms because international calls may result in extra charges.

• EE currently lists £4.64 per minute standard and a discounted calling rate from 3p per minute, available as an add-on. Texts and picture messages are 98p each.
• O2 calls from the UK to other countries currently cost between £1.50–£2 per minute. But you can avoid standard rates with an International Bolt On, costing £3 a month. It means you can make calls to overseas mobiles and landlines from just 1p a minute.
• Vodafone charges calls from UK mobiles to India at around £1.50 per minute. However, discounts are available through the purchase of add-ons or bundles.
• Three lists £1.75/min outside Europe. You can buy one of their ‘Call Abroad’ add-ons, which includes calls to India. The cheapest is ‘Call Abroad 100’, which costs £5 per month and gives you 100 international minutes to use in 55 countries. ‘Call Abroad Unlimited’ is £10 per month and gives unlimited international calling minutes.

You can also use apps such as WhatsApp Calls, Google Meet, or Viber to call India from the UK. App-to-app calls on all three platforms are free, and use only mobile data. Both parties must have the same app installed. Viber Out allows a Viber user to call a regular mobile or landline number in India, with fees starting at around 1.3p per minute.

Troubleshooting: Why your call to India might not connect

If your call won’t connect, check these three points first:

1. Incorrect dial format. To dial an Indian landline, be sure to remove the first 0 from the STD code after you’ve dialled +91. For a mobile, use +91 followed by all 10 digits.
2. International calling isn’t enabled. Some UK SIMs, especially budget services, may require international calls to be manually activated, or you may have to purchase them as an extra in your tariff.
3. Network congestion or numbering changes. India’s telecom numbering system is in a process of evolution, and numbers may be updated. Calls can also temporarily be affected by network congestion, when thousands of people are making calls, such as during major festivals.

FAQs

What is India’s country code?

India’s country code is +91. This is the international prefix to use when calling an Indian mobile or landline from outside India. From the UK, dial 00 91, or use +91 from a mobile. After +91, key in the full 10-digit mobile number or the Indian landline’s area code (STD code) without its leading 0.

How do I call India from the UK?

From a UK landline, dial 00, 91, the Indian landline’s STD code without its initial 0, and then the local number. For example, a Delhi landline using domestic code 011 becomes +91 11 when calling it from outside India. To dial an Indian mobile from the UK, dial 00 or +, then 91 and the complete 10-digit mobile number. 

What are India’s main city area codes?

Common Indian area (STD) codes include 011 for New Delhi, 022 for Mumbai, 033 for Kolkata, 044 for Chennai, 080 for Bengaluru, and 040 for Hyderabad. When calling from the UK, remove the initial 0: for example, Mumbai becomes +91 22. Only use area codes when calling landlines, not mobiles.

What is the format of an Indian mobile number?

The Indian phone number format for mobiles is 10 digits. Don’t use geographic area codes. Mobile numbers start with 6, 7, 8, or 9. From the UK, dial +91 followed by all 10 digits, such as +91 98765 43210. Don’t insert a city STD code before the mobile number.

What is the cheapest way to call India from the UK?

The cost of calling India from the UK varies depending on your service provider in the UK. Internet calling through apps such as WhatsApp, Google Meet, or Viber are free if both people have internet access and those specific apps. For ordinary phone calls, your provider may have a special ‘add-on’ international calling rate.

What is the best time to call India from the UK?

India uses Indian Standard Time (IST), which is UTC+5:30 and does not change for daylight saving. So, India is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of the UK during UK winter, and 4 hours 30 minutes ahead during UK summer. Figure out the time in India before calling.

Why might my call to India fail?

First, check the dialling format: use 00 91 or +91, and remove the first 0 from the Indian landline STD code. For mobiles, use +91 followed by the complete 10-digit number (don’t insert an area dialling code). If the format is correct, check that you have international calling enabled on your UK SIM and ask your provider’s advice.

Key takeaways

• India’s international country code is +91, assigned by the ITU’s E.164 framework.
• From the UK, dial an Indian landline starting with 00 91 and then the area code without the first 0. Then follow with the local number.
• Indian mobiles have 10 digits, no area code, and they start with either 6, 7, 8, or 9.
• Major city codes include 11 Delhi, 22 Mumbai, 33 Kolkata, 44 Chennai, and 80 Bengaluru.
• Alternatives include calling using WhatsApp, Google Meet, or Viber, which only costs the data you use.

Calling India from the United Kingdom is easy once you understand how to use the dialling codes and have an understanding of the different number formats. Learn more about international dialling codes, or UK SIM cards. If you need to send money as well as make a call, Remitly lets you send money to India from the UK quickly and securely. And if you’re part of the Indian diaspora in the UK, you may also need to look into renewing an Indian passport from the UK at some point.