Free 0345 Numbers, Latest Costs and Charges

What Are 0345 Numbers

0345 Numbers are non-geographic numbers that are used by many large companies to route calls to their call centres. 03 numbers are inclusive in your calls allowance or are otherwise charged at “geographic rate” (basically the rate you would pay to call an 01 or 02 number – we’ve put a breakdown of the costs below though). This is because Ofcom regulations require phone number providers to treat 03 numbers the same as 01 and 02 numbers regardless if you are on a landline or mobile phone.

As a result, companies are now swapping their 0845 number to 0345 numbers and this includes most retailers, government departments and financial organisations.

0345 Number Costs

Below we have provided a breakdown of information about their costs on Landlines and Mobile Phones. As a quick guide 0345 numbers cost up to 12p per minute of a landline and between 3p – 45p per minute of a mobile although the actual cost depends on:

• Your Phone (Landline or Mobile) Network Provider
• Your Phone (Landline or Mobile) Package
• When You Are Calling

For a full breakdown of your provider 0345 numbers cost per minute please refer to the information below or contact your provider directly.

How Much Does It Cost To Call 0345 Numbers From A Mobile?

Essentially 01 and 02 numbers are classified as the same as an 0345 number. So when you call 0345 numbers from your mobile if you have a contract with “free minutes” then your call will not cost you an extra as your minutes will be used instead (think of it as ‘free’). However, if you do not have any of your minutes left then you will be charged to call an 0345 number from your mobile phone – afterall they are not a freephone number!

Typically calls from your mobile – outside of your free minutes – will cost anywhere between 3p and 45p per minute. As a result we have provided a breakdown of the standard call cost from the different UK mobile phone networks if you don’t have any free minutes left or are on pay as you go (you may need to scroll across on mobile):

How Much Does It Cost To Call 0345 Numbers From A Landline?

When you call from a UK landline, phone companies are not allowed to charge you any more than call to standard geographic numbers (01 or 02 numbers). Additionally, 0345 numbers must be included in any of the discount schemes and/or inclusive minutes that you are provided with for 01 or 02 numbers. If you do not have any ‘free minutes’ with your landline provider then as a general guide they should cost up to 12p per minute although, we recommend checking with your provider as the call cost sometimes varies depending upon the day and time of call.

Is 0345 A Freephone Number?

0345 is not a freephone number. The cost of calls to the 0345 number is similar to other UK home or business phone numbers. 0345 Numbers are not a premium rate number and so you shouldn’t pay more for it. If you have minutes added to your phone package, most calls will be free.

We have provided a table above with details about how much it costs to call 0345 numbers from a mobile or landline.

Can I Call A 0345 Number From Outside The UK?

Some of the 0345 numbers will to accept calls from outside the UK, but an alternative should be provided if they do not. You will also need to change the number from outside Britain into a UK country code of +44 in order for it to work. You will need to dial 0044 or +44 and then exclude the first zero from 0345, and then the rest of the phone number should be dialed.

Is 0345 An Area Code?

0345 numbers are not an area code, it is a non-geographic number. They are not restricted to a singular geographical location which is why 0345 numbers are used by businesses, government departments and the public sector.