0800 and 0808 numbers are freephone numbers, so they are usually the customer-friendly choice for sales or support lines. 0845 and 0870 numbers are service numbers with access and service charges, so they can feel dated and expensive for small-business enquiries. For most modern UK businesses, choose 0800, 0808, 0333 or a local 01/02 number instead.
UK number types are easy to mix up because they all start with 08, but customers do not experience them in the same way. A number that looks familiar to a business owner can still create hesitation for someone calling from a mobile.
This guide compares 0800, 0808, 0845 and 0870 numbers in plain English, with caller-cost notes based on Ofcom and GOV.UK guidance accessed on 8 August 2026.
What is the difference between 0800, 0808, 0845 and 0870 numbers?
The simple split is freephone versus service numbers. 0800 and 0808 are freephone ranges. 0845 and 0870 are business-rate service numbers where the caller can pay an access charge to their phone company plus a service charge connected to the number.
| Number type | How callers see it | Typical caller cost | Best modern use | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0800 | Freephone, familiar, sales-friendly | Free from UK consumer mobiles and landlines | High-value enquiries, customer support, national campaigns | The business pays more of the call cost |
| 0808 | Freephone, often used by helplines and public-facing services | Free from UK consumer mobiles and landlines | Support lines, advice lines, charities, public information | Less commonly recognised than 0800 in some commercial settings |
| 0845 | Old business-rate number, often seen as costly | Access charge plus service charge, with the 084 service charge up to 7p per minute | Usually not a first choice for new small-business lines | Can reduce calls and must show service-charge wording when advertised |
| 0870 | Business-rate number, often linked with premium-feeling calls | Access charge plus service charge, with the 087 service charge up to 13p per minute | Usually avoid for normal enquiries and support | Higher friction and stronger cost concern for callers |
Ofcom explains that the cost of calling 084 and 087 service numbers is made of two parts: an access charge from the caller's phone company and a service charge set by the organisation being called or its number provider. GOV.UK lists 0800 and 0808 as freephone services, 0845 as a business-rate number with a service charge up to 7p per minute, and 0870 as a business-rate number with a service charge up to 13p per minute, plus the caller's access charge.
Are 0800 and 0808 numbers free to call?
Yes, 0800 and 0808 numbers are free to call from UK consumer mobiles and landlines. Ofcom's UK Calling guidance says freephone numbers beginning 0800 or 0808 are free for consumers to call from all phones.
That makes them useful when you want to remove hesitation. If a customer is comparing providers, booking an appointment, asking for a quote or calling for help, a freephone number says the call is welcome. For many small businesses, that can matter more than the small extra cost of receiving the call.
There is still a commercial choice to make. Because the caller is not paying, the business carries more of the call cost. If calls are low-value or mostly routine support, an 0333 number or local business number may be more balanced.
Is there much difference between 0800 and 0808?
For the caller, 0800 and 0808 are both freephone numbers. The bigger difference is perception. 0800 is the more familiar commercial freephone range, while 0808 is often seen on helplines, charities, advice services and public-facing support lines.
A sales-led small business will usually start with 0800 numbers. A support-led organisation, advice service or charity may be comfortable with 0808. Neither choice is automatically better; the right one depends on what you want the caller to feel before they ring.
Why do 0845 and 0870 numbers put some callers off?
0845 and 0870 numbers can create friction because callers may not know what the call will cost. Ofcom says organisations using 084, 087, 09 or 118 service numbers must display the service charge wherever the number is promoted, using wording such as "calls cost xp per minute plus your phone company's access charge".
That legal wording is useful for transparency, but it is not always good for conversion. If the aim is to get more calls from customers, a charge warning next to the phone number is rarely reassuring. People on mobiles may pause, search for another contact route, or choose a competitor with a normal or free number.
There are still legacy businesses with 0845 or 0870 numbers printed on old materials, but they are a poor fit for most new small-business enquiry lines. If you have one already, consider whether it is quietly costing calls.
Which number should a small business choose instead?
Use the number that matches how customers decide to call you. The number should make the next step feel easy, not raise a pricing question before the conversation has started.
| Business situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You serve one town, city or region | Local 01/02 number | It feels nearby and familiar |
| You sell across the UK | 0333 number | It is national and charged like a normal landline |
| You want more quote, sales or support calls | 0800 number | It removes caller cost concern |
| You run a helpline or public advice service | 0808 number | It carries a freephone support feel |
| You currently advertise 0845 or 0870 | Review and migrate | Service charges may reduce trust and calls |
If you are weighing up a wider set of options, read LineHQ's guide to which UK number your business should choose. For a practical small-business comparison, see 0800 vs 0333 vs local numbers.
How can LineHQ help with UK business numbers?
LineHQ lets small businesses use a professional UK number without installing a traditional phone system. You can route calls to mobiles, keep work and personal calls separate, add voicemail-to-email, record calls where appropriate, and change routing as the team grows.
For many businesses, the safer move is to choose a number customers feel comfortable calling, then route it properly behind the scenes. A customer does not need to know whether the call rings your mobile, a receptionist, a small team or a fallback voicemail. They just need the number to feel trustworthy and the call to be answered.
Start with 0800 numbers, compare 0333 numbers, or use the UK number chooser if you are not sure which range fits.
FAQs
Are 0800 and 0808 numbers free from mobiles?
Yes. Ofcom says 0800 and 0808 freephone numbers are free for consumers to call from UK mobiles and landlines. Businesses should still check their own provider costs for receiving freephone calls.
Is 0845 the same as 0800?
No. 0800 is freephone. 0845 is a business-rate service number where the caller pays their phone company's access charge plus a service charge connected to the number.
Is 0870 more expensive than 0845?
It can be. Ofcom's call-cost guide says the service charge for 084 numbers is between 0p and 7p per minute, while the service charge for 087 numbers is between 0p and 13p per minute. The caller's access charge is added on top.
Should a small business still use 0845 or 0870?
Usually not for ordinary enquiries. They can make callers think about cost before value. A local number, 0333 number or 0800 number is normally clearer and easier for customers to trust.
Can I move from an 0845 or 0870 number to another number type?
In many cases, yes, but the right route depends on the current provider, contract and where the number is advertised. LineHQ can help you plan a cleaner number setup and call-routing structure before you change public materials.
Sources
- Ofcom, Call costs guide, accessed 8 August 2026.
- Ofcom, UK Calling, accessed 8 August 2026.
- Ofcom, How does UK Calling affect businesses?, accessed 8 August 2026.
- GOV.UK, Call charges and phone numbers, accessed 8 August 2026.
