This page in a nutshell: Format phone numbers as they would be dialled internationally but in a way that separates the country code, area code, and part that can be dialled locally.
For most listings, it's helpful to have a phone number for making contact.
We format phone numbers as they would be dialled internationally but in a way that separates the country code, area code, and part that can be dialled locally.
Where "1" is the country code, "867" is the area code and "959-5000" can be (optionally) dialled locally using abbreviated dialling (as designated by the two groups of digits con-joined with a hyphen). In most countries the zero is omitted from the area code when prefixed by country code, there are however some exceptions such as Italy.
Numbers should generally begin with + and a country code. The exception is numbers that cannot be dialled from outside the country, which should be listed in their local style. For instance, 1-1-2 and 9-1-1 distress calls, and New Zealand Freephone numbers (e.g. 0800 737-000 for the Air New Zealand Freephone number only valid within NZ).
When an area code is required for local dialling, or an area code requires a prefix for local dialling (say a '0'), note that in the Connect section of the guide.
Information on freephone/toll-free, caller-paid mobile and premium rate prefixes should also go in the Connect section. Consider whether a warning is necessary in the actual listing if premium rate numbers are used.
The number group(s) that can be (optionally) dialled locally are con-joined with hyphens.
Parentheses or brackets are not used in numbers. If the digits are needed when calling from abroad, include them with no brackets (so +1-800-555-0199 and not 1 (800) 555-0199). If the digits are not needed on international calls, omit them (so +44 20 7777-7777 and not +44 (0) 20 7777-7777).
Our formatting method may differ from that seen most in the country concerned. We prefer to use hyphens to only indicate the (con-joined) abbreviated part of the whole telephone number that can be utilised for local dialling. We do not use italics or parentheses within the phone number.
In most countries, all the digits of mobile phone numbers should be dialled and there will be no (con-joined) abbreviated part of the whole mobile phone number that can be used for local dialling. Mobile phones are only given standard, landline-style geographic numbers in areas where mobile users pay airtime to receive calls (such as Canada/USA and China). This resource is useful for deciding which are mobile numbers. Wikipedia contains a good list of phone numbers formats by countries.
The {{listing}} template provides three fields (phone, tollfree, fax) for telephone numbers.
Additional numbers (such as TTY/TDD numbers for deaf users) may be added in the phone field separated by a comma. Reason for the other number can be stated in brackets.
Numbers that cannot be dialed from outside the country should not begin with a country code. Some examples of these are unified local emergency numbers (like 1-1-2 or 9-1-1) and national freephone numbers in many countries (e.g. 0800 737-000, the Air New Zealand Freephone number, is valid only within NZ).
The following number prefixes will not be flagged as having a missing country code: 0508, 0800, 1300, 1800, 01800. Adding a description in brackets after the number of one of the following: "high cost", "extra charge", "premium", "local rate", "in country only", "domestic" or "non-geographic number", will also stop it being flagged as an incorrect format needing country code.
+61 X XXXX-XXXX +61 4XX-XXX-XXX - mobile 1800-XXX-XXX - domestic toll-free and premium (1300, 1800, 1900) +612 XXXX XXXX - Most landline numbers in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory +613 XXXX XXXX - Most landline numbers in Victoria and Tasmania +617 XXXX XXXX - Most landline numbers in Queensland and Northern NSW +618 XXXX XXXX - Most landline numbers in the Northern Territory, South Australia, Western NSW and Western Australia
+1 YYY-XXX-XXXX - metro area requiring 10-digit dialing +1 YYY XXX-XXXX - areas with only one area code +1-8YY-XXX-XXXX - toll-free (800, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888)
+82 Y XXX-XXXX +82 Y XXXX-XXXX +82 YY XXX-XXXX +82 YY XXXX-XXXX There are other formats for special numbers, too, but in all cases, phone numbers should always omit the "0" part of the area code, and phone numbers can always be dialed locally by omitting the area code, so there should be no dash between the area code and the rest of the number.