Phone Number Formats by Country
A valid phone number format depends on the country, but every number can be written three ways: a national format used locally (US example: (201) 555-0123), an international format with the + country code (+1 201 555 0123), and E.164, the compact standard APIs and SMS gateways expect (+12015550123).
National format
(201) 555-0123
How the number is written inside its own country, with local digit grouping and, in many countries, a leading trunk digit. It only works domestically.
International format
+1 201 555 0123
The + sign and country code, then the national number without its trunk prefix. This is how you print a number that anyone in the world can dial.
E.164 format
+12015550123
The same international number with every space and dash removed: max 15 digits after the +. The canonical form for APIs, SMS gateways, and databases.
US phone number format
The United States uses the North American Numbering Plan: every number has 10 digits, a 3-digit area code followed by a 7-digit local number, written (201) 555-0123 nationally.
The US international phone number format adds the country code +1 in front, with no leading zero to drop: +1 201 555 0123. For APIs, SMS, and storage, use E.164 with no spaces or dashes: +12015550123.
| Country calling code | +1 |
|---|---|
| Example mobile (national) | (201) 555-0123 |
| Example mobile (international) | +1 201 555 0123 |
| Example mobile (E.164) | +12015550123 |
| National number length | 10 digits |
Check a phone number's format
Country phone number formats
Real examples for 24 countries, each derived from Google's libphonenumber data. Click a country for its full format guide and validator.
| Country | Code | Example (international) | Digits |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | +44 | +44 7400 123456 | 10 |
| Germany | +49 | +49 1512 3456789 | 11 |
| France | +33 | +33 6 12 34 56 78 | 9 |
| Spain | +34 | +34 612 34 56 78 | 9 |
| Italy | +39 | +39 312 345 6789 | 10 |
| Netherlands | +31 | +31 6 12345678 | 9 |
| Belgium | +32 | +32 450 00 12 34 | 9 |
| Switzerland | +41 | +41 78 123 45 67 | 9 |
| Austria | +43 | +43 664 123456 | 9 |
| Sweden | +46 | +46 70 123 45 67 | 9 |
| Norway | +47 | +47 40 61 23 45 | 8 |
| Denmark | +45 | +45 34 41 23 45 | 8 |
| Ireland | +353 | +353 85 012 3456 | 9 |
| Portugal | +351 | +351 912 345 678 | 9 |
| Poland | +48 | +48 512 345 678 | 9 |
| Brazil | +55 | +55 11 96123 4567 | 11 |
| Mexico | +52 | +52 222 123 4567 | 10 |
| Argentina | +54 | +54 9 11 2345 6789 | 11 |
| India | +91 | +91 81234 56789 | 10 |
| Australia | +61 | +61 412 345 678 | 9 |
| New Zealand | +64 | +64 21 123 4567 | 9 |
| South Africa | +27 | +27 71 123 4567 | 9 |
| Singapore | +65 | +65 8123 4567 | 8 |
| United Arab Emirates | +971 | +971 50 123 4567 | 9 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a valid phone number format?
A phone number is valid when its digits match the numbering plan of its country: the right length, a real area code or prefix, and the correct structure. Spaces, dashes, and parentheses are cosmetic; validators strip them and check the digits. The fastest way to check a number is the free validator on this page.
What is the US phone number format?
US phone numbers have 10 digits: a 3-digit area code followed by a 7-digit local number, written (201) 555-0123 nationally. The country code is +1, so the same number is +1 201 555 0123 in international format and +12015550123 in E.164.
How do I write a US phone number in international format?
Add the +1 country code in front of the 10-digit number: (201) 555-0123 becomes +1 201 555 0123. Unlike many countries, there is no leading zero to drop. For APIs, SMS gateways, and databases, remove spaces and punctuation to get E.164: +12015550123.
What is E.164 format?
E.164 is the international standard for writing phone numbers: a plus sign, the country code, then the national number with no spaces, dashes, or leading trunk zero, at most 15 digits in total. It is the format APIs, SMS gateways, and databases expect because it is unambiguous worldwide.
Why do phone number formats differ by country?
Every country runs its own numbering plan, so number length, area-code structure, and digit grouping all differ. Many national formats also include a trunk prefix (usually a leading 0) that is dropped when dialing internationally. The table on this page shows real examples for 24 countries, each derived from Google's libphonenumber data.