What is meaning of "+" prefix in some Phone Numbers?

The "+" prefix used in a phone number indicates that this phone number is written in international format. The first group of digits follows the "+" prefix is country or region code of the number number.

A phone number with the "+" prefix should be used according the following rules:

1. If you are calling this phone number from a smart phone (the "+" key is available on the key pad) from a different country or region than the phone number, you should dial all digits including the "+" as written in the phone number. The smart phone will automatically convert "+" to the international prefix of the country or region where you are dialing from.

For example, if you have a phone number of "+44 20 7183 8750" on a business card from United Kingdom and you are calling it from United States with a cell phone, you should dial it as is written: "+44 20 7608 0595". The cell phone will automatically convert "+" to the international prefix "011" for United States and dial "011 44 20 7183 8750" for you.

2. If you are calling this phone number from an old phone (the "+" key is not available on the key pad) from a different country or region than the phone number, you should dial manually the international prefix of the country or region where you are dialing from instead of "+".

For example, if you have a phone number of "+44 20 7183 8750" on a business card from United Kingdom and you are calling it from United States with an old landline phone, you should dial manually "011" instead of "+" as "011 44 20 7183 8750".

3. If you are calling this phone number from the same country or region as the phone number, you should skip the "+" prefix and the first group of digits which represents the country or region code of the phone number, then dial the remaining digits with or without the long distance prefix depending on the long distance calling requirement of the country or region.

For example, if you have a phone number of "+44 20 7183 8750" on a business card from United Kingdom and you are calling it from United Kingdom with any phone, you should skip "+44", then dial "0 20 7183 8750" with the long distance prefix of United Kingdom "0" added.

⇒ Leading "0" in Phone Numbers

⇐ What Is International Call Prefix?

⇑ Phone Number Related Terms and Tools

⇑⇑ Phone Number FAQ