Phone numbers vocabulary teaches you how to say and write numbers in English, plus useful phrases for making and answering calls.
How to Say Phone Numbers
Phone numbers are usually said one digit at a time. Sometimes, for easier speaking, digits are grouped in pairs or threes.
| Example Number | English Example | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| -1234 | five five five, one two three four | My phone number is five five five, one two three four. |
| -555-6789 | two one two, five five five, six seven eight nine | Call me at two one two, five five five, six seven eight nine. |
| -123-4567 | eight hundred, one two three, four five six seven | The toll-free number is eight hundred, one two three, four five six seven. |
| -56-7890 | four four four, five six, seven eight nine zero | The number is four four four, five six, seven eight nine zero. |
Writing Phone Numbers
In English, phone numbers are usually written with hyphens (-) or spaces. Sometimes parentheses are used around area codes.
| Format | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| With hyphens | -1234 | Most common in US local numbers |
| With area code | (212) 555- | Parentheses around area code |
| With spaces | 555 6789 | Used in UK and other countries |
| International | +1 212 555 | + sign indicates country code |
Common Phrases
These phrases will help you ask for, give, and confirm phone numbers in English.
| Phrase Type | Example | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Asking for a number | What's your phone number? | What's your phone number? |
| Giving your number | My number is 555-1234. | My number is five five five, one two three four. |
| Asking to repeat | Can you repeat that number? | Can you repeat that number? I didn’t catch it. |
| Confirming | So that's 555-1234? | So that’s five five five, one two three four? |
How do you ask someone for their phone number in English?
What's your phone number?
The polite and common way to ask someone’s phone number is, 'What’s your phone number?'
International and Special Numbers
In addition to regular phone numbers, it’s useful to know how to say country codes, toll-free numbers, and emergency numbers.
| Type | Example | How to Say | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country code | + | plus four four | UK country code |
| Toll-free | -800-123-4567 | one eight hundred, one two three, four five six seven | Free call numbers |
| Emergency | nine one one | US emergency number | |
| Emergency (UK) | nine nine nine | UK emergency number |
How do you say the UK country code +44 in English?
plus four four
The + sign is said as 'plus,' followed by each digit separately. So +44 is 'plus four four.'
Tips
- Say each digit clearly to avoid confusion.
- Use “oh” for zero in casual speech (e.g., “five oh five” for 505).
- Group digits logically to make numbers easier to say (e.g., area code first).
- Use “plus” to say the + sign in international numbers.
Phone number vocabulary includes both the numbers themselves and the phrases you need to use them confidently in conversation.
Flashcards (1 of 4)
- Example Number: 555-1234
- Example Sentence: My phone number is five five five, one two three four.
- English Example: five five five, one two three four
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
