Area Code 118 – Reading
The phone area code for Reading is 118 (international format +44118). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 118
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Reading
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The 020 area code serves Greater London, the capital of the United Kingdom. It is a geographic code allocated to the London Telephone Area, which encompasses the 32 London boroughs plus the City of London. The code covers a densely populated region of approximately 8.8 million people, making it one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe. The administrative jurisdiction falls under the Greater London Authority, with the City of London having its own unique local government.
Primary Cities and Localities Served
020 numbers are used across all central and outer London districts, including Westminster, Camden, Islington, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, and Greenwich. Key commercial hubs such as the City of London (financial district), Canary Wharf, and the West End are all within the 020 area. Suburban towns like Croydon, Harrow, and Bromley also use the 020 code, reflecting the wide geographic reach of the code.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For local callers within the UK, the national dialing format is 020 XXXX XXXX, where the leading '0' is the trunk prefix. For international callers, the format is +44 20 XXXX XXXX (or +44 20 XXXX XXXX when dialing from abroad). The 020 code is a fixed-length code; the subscriber number is always 8 digits, making the total number length 10 digits (excluding the trunk prefix).
When calling from outside the UK, you must replace the leading '0' with the UK country code '+44'. For example, a London number 020 7946 0958 would be dialed as +44 20 7946 0958 from abroad. Local callers within the UK can simply dial the 10-digit number starting with 020.
Overlay and Numbering Considerations
Historically, London used separate area codes for inner (0171) and outer (0181) London, but in 2000, these were unified under the single 020 code. This change required an overlay of the entire London area, meaning that all numbers now share the same 020 prefix, and local calls do not require an area code. The 020 code is not subject to further overlay, but number portability allows users to retain their numbers when changing providers.
Additional Notes for Callers
020 numbers are geographic and are used for both residential and business lines. Calls to 020 numbers from UK landlines typically cost up to 10p per minute, while calls from mobiles may be higher. International callers should check with their service provider for applicable rates. The 020 code is also used for some non-geographic services, but these are rare and subject to Ofcom regulations.