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Updated : January 9, 2026

Knowing the Indian phone number format is essential to collaborate with your new Indian team or discuss business with Indian prospects.

Not just that, learning about the correct Indian phone number format will also help you efficiently connect with customers and provide better support. This is needed, especially when 77% of customers believe amazing customer service is pivotal to brand loyalty and sales.

In this article, we enlist multiple reasons why understanding the Indian phone number format is important for your business with India. We will also walk you through the step-by-step process of how to write a phone number with country code (Indian landline number and mobile phone number) with Indian phone number examples and important area codes. Let’s get scrolling!

Expert Advice

“The Indian numbering format consists of 3 major codes–exit, country, and area codes. Entering them correctly makes your call go through successfully, which is extremely important for fruitful business discussions with Indian customers, stakeholders, and teams. Healthy discussions are key to high customer satisfaction, accelerated deal closure rate, and efficient operations. You cannot afford to miss any of these.”

Mastering the Indian Phone Number Format: Why it Matters

Every country has a unique numbering system, and India is no different. Understanding the Indian phone number format is essential for businesses expanding to India and having a customer base, clients, or team. Only then, you can dial India in minutes with confidence.

Here are some other reasons why understanding the Indian phone number format is essential –

1. Correct routing of the call

If you’re trying to dial India, dialing the right codes to make your call go through at once is mandatory.

A. Country Code:

Entering the right country code or international prefix ensures you reach the right country (India). Understanding these matters as a wrong country code would route your call to a different country or might not go through and get disconnected.

B. Area Code:

Knowing the area code helps you understand the area/region you’re dialing to within India. This ensures you’re targeting the correct Indian city (your contact’s area), without which the call won’t get through.

C. Numbering Structure:

Being aware of the correct order of these codes (the correct format) will allow you to dial Indian numbers confidently without confusion or time drainage.

2. Expanding to India

Understanding the number format and correctly routing your calls allows you to reach and follow up with your Indian customers, teams, and clients quickly and conduct business efficiently, leading to healthy market penetration, business expansion, and a strong relationship.

Interested in building a strong local presence in India? Check out how to get a local phone number.

3. Efficiency and cost-effectiveness

Understanding the correct Indian phone number format ensures that you dial the right contact instantly without wasting any call minutes (and costs) talking to the wrong contact. To be more cost-effective, get an Indian virtual phone number. Explore 15+ free virtual phone number providers.

Also, if wrongly dialed numbers get through, you communicate the wrong thing to the wrong contact. You cannot afford this, as 68% of businesses believe that miscommunication leads to time drainage, and 42% say it results in stress and burnout.

4. Efficient customer support

As an international business, you must know the Indian phone format to serve your Indian customers well. This will ultimately lead to increased customer satisfaction and an enhanced brand image.

5. Indian market analysis

Thoroughly understanding the Indian phone number format will help you conduct efficient market research. You’ll then be able to make better decisions based on all the customer data the Indian numbers help you gather.

Codes for Dialing Indian Phone Numbers

Dialing Indian phone numbers includes three codes, which are:

Exit code:

Your (aka dialer’s) country’s international access code to route calls overseas. For example, the exit code would be 011 if you’re dialing from the US and 00 when dialing from the UK.

Country code:

(91) to direct your call to India.

Area code:

This is specific to your recipient’s location in India. (to be eliminated when dialing an Indian mobile phone number)

Let’s now dive into the Indian area codes. So, the Indian area codes are 2-3 digits long, which you must dial after the country code when dialing an Indian landline. The two digits area codes are of metropolitan cities, whereas other cities have 3-digit long area codes.

Here are the area codes of some of the most popularly dialed Indian cities:

Indian Phone Number Example

Calling an Indian phone number can be challenging if you’re new to dialing to India. To ease the process, we have curated a list of examples of how the Indian landline and mobile numbers look when dialed from a foreign country, with all the codes.

Indian landline Number Example

Let’s talk about what the telephone numbers in India look like when dialed from a foreign landline. The format includes the country code, area code, and complete telephone number in India (1234 5678).

Don’t forget to add your home country’s exit code before dialing these Indian phone numbers.

Indian Mobile Number Example

Now let’s see how the Indian phone number format changes when dialing an Indian mobile phone number. Wondering how many digits does an Indian mobile number consist of? Well, the Indian mobile number is ten digits long. The mobile number format in India includes the country code plus ten-digit Indian mobile number (1234 5678 21).

Don’t forget to add a ‘+’ symbol as an exit code before dialing these Indian mobile phone numbers.

How to Call an Indian Phone Number?

To make your call to an Indian phone number get through every single time, you must enter the right elements. Here are the elements in the right order for calling India.

1. Calling an Indian landline

Here are the steps to call an Indian telephone number:

Step 1: Get the international access code

The international access code is your home country’s exit code that you must enter before making international calls via landline. The aim of entering this code is to indicate to your carrier that you will make an international call.  For example, if you’re dialing from the UK, you must enter UK’s exit code (00).

Step 2: Enter the Indian country code

Once you’ve correctly entered the exit code, enter the India country code. The international calling code for India signals that you want to reach India phone number. The India country code is ‘91’.

Step 3: Key in the Indian area code

Indian area codes are 2-3 digits numbers to be entered right after India’s country code to route your calls to the recipient’s area in India. For example, Mumbai, an Indian city, has an area code of 22.

Note: Refer to our table to find India’s popularly dialed area codes. If you don’t find the one you’re looking for, search for it here!

Step 4: Finally, carefully enter your contact’s Indian phone number

Enter your Indian contact’s complete Indian landline or mobile number.

Suppose you (from the UK) want to reach your contact in Mumbai, India, with India phone number 1234 5678. The correct dialing format that must be shown up on your dial screen should look similar to this 00-91-22-1234 5678 (when dialing from a landline).

2. Calling an Indian mobile

Here are the steps to call an Indian mobile:

Step 1: Enter the international access code

The international access code is your home country’s exit code that you must enter before making international calls via mobile. When calling India phone numbers (mobile), first enter ‘+’ as an international access code.  For example, if you’re dialing from the UK or anywhere for that matter, you must enter ‘+’.

Step 2: Dial the Indian country code

Once you’ve entered the ‘+’ symbol, enter the Indian country code to route your call to India. The country code for India is ‘91’.

Step 3: Now key in your Indian contact’s mobile phone number

Enter your Indian contact’s complete Indian mobile number.

Suppose you want to reach your contact in Mumbai, India, with a mobile number 1234 5678 21. The correct dialing format that you must enter on your dial pad should look similar to this +91-1234 5678 21.

Recommended Read : How to Get an Asia Phone Number?

Important Emergency Phone Numbers in India

India has a number of emergency phone numbers. These numbers offer Indian citizens immediate access to the public service authorities. These numbers are toll-free and stay available 24/7. Here are a few crucial emergency phone numbers.

1. Police (100)

The “100” number connects people to their nearest police control room. It can be used whenever in some sort of critical situation. Be it crime, theft, domestic violence, etc., people can dial number “100” to reach out to the police for their help.

As you reach out, an operator will pick up the call and gather the necessary details. Once all the details are gathered, the operator will dispatch a local police unit. So, this is the overview of the whole process you will go through, after dialing the number “100”.

2. Fire Emergency (101)

The “101” number is for fire and rescue. During fire outbreaks, electrical short circuits, gas leaks, etc., dialing “101” will connect people to the fire brigade. The fire brigade also helps people evacuate and provide disaster assistance. Knowing this number is very crucial to ensure public welfare and safety.

3. Ambulance & Medical Emergency (102 / 108)

The “102” and “108” numbers are mainly related to healthcare. The “102” number is for maternal and child healthcare emergencies. While, the “108” number is for the emergency medical response system.

In situations of accidents, cardiac emergencies, trauma cases, etc., you should reach out to number “108”. And for pregnant women and newborns related emergencies, you must dial number “102”.

Common Mistakes & Tips

Many call failures happen due to basic dialing errors made by the caller. However, the good news is that it can be fixed without too much hustle. Here are the most common mistakes that lead to connectivity failures and the tips that can help you fix them.

1. Mixing “+91” with Leading “0”

Mixing “+91” with a leading “0” is the most common error that callers make when dialing an Indian number. “+91” is the country code, while “0” is the domestic prefix. Using both together can lead to call failure.

The Fix:

• When contacting internationally, “+91” is used, and when contacting domestically, “0” is used.

2. Incorrect Length or Prefix Issues

The second most common concern is dialing the incorrect numbers. The Indian number consists of 10 digits. Adding extra numbers or only dialing 9 digit numbers can also lead to call failures. A missing prefix can also cause the same error.

The Fix:

• Make sure you dial the correct 10-digit number with the right prefix. This will help you ensure the call connects with friction.

3. Dialing Mistakes for International Calls

Not knowing the correct international dialing format leads to poor connectivity. Skipping the international access code or using the wrong country prefix are the reasons calls don’t go through.

The Fix:

• Understand the international dialing format correctly. Know the country codes for both countries from which you are calling and to which you are calling. For example, if you are in the US and calling India. You must know the country code for both the US and India.

Special Number Types in India

India even has special number types. These numbers are usually used for customer support services, business communications, etc. Let’s explore the special number series that India uses.

1. Toll-Free Numbers (1800)

Dialing a number that starts with “1800” (toll-free numbers) allows customers to reach out to businesses without costing a single penny.

Such Numbers are Generally used by:

• Banks
• Government Helpline
• Customer Support Centers
• Service Inquiries

Toll-free numbers are proven to be an easily accessible and cost-effective option for customers.

2. Telemarketing Numbers (140 Series)

Registered telemarketing firms use the “140” number series. A call coming from this number series helps users identify that the call is for marketing purposes. These numbers also support the anti-spam policies, as using these number series ensures authorized entities are calling.

Number Allocation & Regional Distribution in India

India’s telecom national plan is designed in a structured way so that it can manage millions of subscribers effectively. Let’s explore how the numbers are allocated and distributed across India.

1. How Mobile Number Ranges Are Assigned to Operators

Telecom regulators allocate number blocks to operators based on demand, coverage area, and capacity. These ranges help networks manage subscribers and ensure smooth call routing across operators.

2. Region-Wise Allocation of Prefixes and STD Codes

STD codes and number prefixes are assigned based on geographic regions. This system enables efficient call routing and helps distinguish between local, national, and long-distance calls.

3. Why Prefixes Change Over Time (Portability & Regulation)

With the introduction of mobile number portability, prefixes no longer reliably indicate the operator or region. Regulatory updates allow users to switch service providers while keeping the same number, increasing consumer flexibility.

4. Impact of Increasing Subscribers on Number Planning in India

The Indian mobile user base is constantly growing. Hence, it has become a necessity for the telecom operators to introduce new number series every now and then. This ensures uninterrupted connectivity and supports future expansion without exhausting available numbers.

You May Also Read : How to Call International for Free

Conclusion

Understanding the correct Indian phone number format can lead to clear, accurate, and efficient communication. From mastering country/area codes to identifying the special number types, emergency helplines, and regional prefixes, the right knowledge can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Whether you’re reaching local contacts, dialing international numbers, or responding to emergencies, knowing how India’s numbering system works is crucial. It saves you time and reduces confusion.

Also, to make international calling affordable, many businesses rely on CallHippo, a trusted virtual phone number provider in India. It eliminates dialing confusion, reduces calling costs, and connects with customers effortlessly. With CallHippo, you can deliver smart and friction-free communication.

Dial India the Right Way, Every Time

• Avoid Errors
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• Connect Seamlessly

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the country code of India for making a phone call?

The country code of India is (91). This ensures that your call gets routed to India when you dial an Indian phone number from outside the country.

2. Why is my call to India not working?

If you’ve been trying to reach your Indian contact from some other country but haven’t been successful yet, these are the probable reasons:

1. You must’ve mistyped the recipient’s contact number.
2. You’ve dialed the number in the wrong format. So, check how many digits you’ve entered and its order. This right one is exit code>country code>two or three digit area codes>local number.
3. You’ve been dialing the exit code before the country code, even with a mobile. When calling internationally via mobile, you replace the exit code with the ‘+’ symbol.

3. How to call India for free?

To place free international calls to India, rely on Skype or WhatsApp. However, you must remember that these apps are insufficient for growing business because of the lack of management and advanced features.

A more reliable option is getting a virtual local number from a reliable VoIP provider like CallHippo, which lets you make high-quality international calls at an affordable price while enhancing your local presence.

4. How to write a phone number with an STD code?

STD codes vary in length from 2 to 4 digits. For example, Mumbai uses a 2-digit STD code, +91 22, for the city code, followed by an 8-digit local number like 23456789. The first digit of the local number will not be 0, 1, 7, 8, or 9.

5. How to dial a landline number from a mobile in Mumbai?

To dial a Mumbai landline number from a mobile, dial the area code (022) followed by the 8-digit phone number. For example, 022-45678909. Ensure you include the area code.

6. How to dial Delhi landline number from my mobile?

From your mobile device, dial 011, the area code for Delhi, and then the 8-digit local number to reach a landline. For example: 011-56784231. Ensure that the dialing format is correct.

International Phone Number Format

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Published : January 2, 2026

Harsh Bairagi is a B2B SaaS content writer with over 4 years of experience in the tech industry. Harsh believes in creating good copies to bridge the gap between tech and emotion. When not chasing clean copy or clever metaphors, he is busy catching up on his favorite sports.

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