International Phone Number Format Guide With Examples

Key takeaways:

• The current international format of phone numbers, called E.164, includes a + sign, country code, area code, and local number.
• Every country has a different country code, such as +1 for the US and Canada, +44 for the United Kingdom, or +49 for Germany.
• Most use cases require converting all local numbers into the international format..
• When handling phone numbers, give users clear guidance and follow best practices for compliance and data storage.

The basis of building customer relationships on your website is good communication, which cannot happen if you’re unavailable. Having a local phone number may seem old-fashioned, but it can still build trust—especially for customer support and sales. Domestic call availability signals your legitimacy and, in some cases, is even legally required. Setting up a country code for different locales incorrectly can create confusion for customers and inefficiency for your team. Instead of listing any random mobile number on your contact form, Iearn about custom international phone number formats.

What is the standard international phone number format?

The current international standard for phone numbers is the E.164 recommendation of the ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector). It defines a general format for international phone numbers to ensure that each device has a globally unique sequence.

It followed a series of other international format standards and is based on local numbering zones established worldwide.You don’t need to know the technical background to apply it. Simply convert numbers into the current international phone number format:

+

In this format, each phone number can have up to 15 digits and consists of four parts.

• The international call prefix is represented by the + sign, indicating that it’s an international phone number.
• The country code is a region-specific prefix consisting of one to three digits depending on the geographical location.
• The National Destination Code (NDC), usually an up to three-digit area code, can determine an even more specific location, such as a state, region, or even a city.
• The local number, also called the subscriber number, refers to the specific number or device that can be reached with the number.

For domestic calls, the + sign and country code can be omitted, so a local phone number could look like this: 2025550123.

If you want to ensure that all clients can call you, the contacts section must follow the international phone number format: +12025550123.

It’s also advisable to collect and store the full international phone number format, as it will allow you to call the numbers no matter the destination country.

Formatting rules by country

Country	Country code prefix	Area Code Variation	Local Number Structure	Local Number Example	Full Number Example (International Format)
United States	+1	Three-digit area codes from 200 to 999	3-digit exchange + 4-digit line	(202) 555-0123	+1 202 555 0123 (Washington)
United Kingdom	+44	2-5 digit area codes (drop leading 0)	Area code + 6-8 digit local number	020 7123 4567	+44 20 7123 4567 (London)
Germany	+49	2-5 digit area codes (with leading 0 nationally)	Local number varies, 6-8 digits	030 901820	+49 30 901820 (Berlin)
France	+33	1-digit area/mobile prefix (leading 0 nationally)	8-digit local number	01 23 45 67 89	+33 1 23 45 67 89 (Paris)
Italy	+39	2-4 digit area codes (leading 0 always used)	6-8 digit local number	06 12345678	+39 06 12345678 (Rome)
Spain	+34	No area code, 9-digit mobile or landline starting 6 or 7	9-digit local number	612 345 678	+34 612 345 678 (Madrid)
Poland	+48	2-digit area codes	7-digit local number	22 123 45 67	+48 22 123 45 67 (Warsaw)
Denmark	+45	No area code, closed 8-digit numbering	8-digit local number	12 34 56 78	+45 12 34 56 78 (Copenhagen)
India	+91	Variable area codes 2-4 digits	Local number varies	022 1234 5678	+91 22 1234 5678 (Mumbai)
Australia	+61	1-digit area codes (02, 03, 07, 08)	8-digit local number	(02) 9876 5432	+61 2 9876 5432 (Sydney)

How to format phone numbers for WhatsApp

Your phone number can do more than just handle calls—clients can also use it to message you on services like WhatsApp. WhatsApp is one of the most popular services that requires numbers in full international phone number format.

A widget on your website can then display the local number as a clickable WhatsApp chat link. Here are the steps to convert your local number to an international format for WhatsApp:

1. Start with a plus sign +.
2. Add the country code of your country. If you’re from the US, you now have +1.
3. Add the area code in your country. In the US, it’s a three-digit area code, such as 202 for Washington, D.C.
4. In some countries, the leading zero must be removed. For example, the Berlin area code is 030, but we would write +49 30. The US and some other countries do not have such leading zeros.
5. Add the full local number without spaces, parentheses, or special characters, such as this for a number in the US: +1 202 555 0123.
6. Check whether your final number follows the international format: +. You can also simply call the number and see if it works.

Any number can work as a WhatsApp chat link, as there are no other requirements except that it is converted to an international phone number format.The only exception is landline numbers, which can only be used with WhatsApp Business accounts since SMS verification is required.

Common mistakes that break WhatsApp chat links

• Phone number not registered with the WhatsApp account correctly.
• Using a local or national format instead of a full international format.
• Missing or incorrect country code.
• Not removing leading zeros.
• Using trunk prefixes, such as 00 instead of the + sign.
• Including special characters with the country code or local number, such as parentheses, dashes, and spaces.
• Using a number that’s too long or incomplete. The maximum length of international phone numbers is 15 digits and never more.

Best practices for websites and forms

Handling phone numbers is an important task requiring careful attention to privacy, compliance, and formatting. When it comes to client phone numbers you collect via forms on your website, it’s important to provide clear guidance to the user and validate the international format entered.

• Use international phone number format libraries like Google’s libphonenumber.
• Provide a country selector dropdown that automatically adds country codes.
• Store numbers as a clear string without spaces or additional characters and in international format. Unless you use auto-dialers or other tools that require different formatting rules.
• Create rules for removing duplicate phone numbers.
• Limit stored numbers to 15 digits. Consider storing local numbers and country codes separately.
• Use messaging services to validate phone numbers.
• Ensure compliance with data storage laws, such as the EU’s GDPR.

When it comes to displaying your own phone number for clients, the general rule is to keep everything as easy for the client as possible.

• Make sure that you use the full international format. Include +, country code, area code (without leading zeros if applicable), and local number.
• Use clickable links, such as tel:, so that users on mobile devices can call you easily.
• Clearly separate international and local phone numbers in your contact section to avoid confusion with other elements like donation buttons or social media icons.
• Highlight that your contacts are in international format and no additional country codes or fees are needed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I write my phone number in an international format?

Begin by writing a plus (+) sign to indicate the international call prefix, followed by your country code (e.g., +1 for the US), followed by up to a three-digit area code (e.g., 202 for Washington D.C.) without a leading zero. ​​Then, add your local phone number. Generally, the international format is: + .

How do I format a phone number for WhatsApp?

WhatsApp accepts the standard international phone number format, so your local number will not be accepted. You can convert the number you have using a plus (+) sign, then the country code, area code, and local number.Landline numbers can also be used, but only with WhatsApp Business accounts.

Do I need to include spaces or dashes in international phone numbers?

No, you don’t need to include spaces or dashes in an international phone number that follows an E.164 format. It’s recommended to use a single string of numbers for calling with this common international phone number format. Spaces or dashes can improve readability but are not part of the official international standard.

What is the international format for a US phone number?

The United States follows the same international phone number format as all countries: + . The country code of the US is +1, and the area codes vary from 201 to 989. A US mobile phone number in Washington D.C. might look like this: +1 202 555 0123.