How much does it cost to call a 01256 number?

Calls to 01256 numbers are standard geographic landline calls, charged at your provider’s normal UK landline rate and usually included in inclusive minutes — the same as calling an 03 number.

I had a missed call from a 01256 number — is it a scam?

Not necessarily, but be careful: scammers spoof local codes such as 01256 so a call looks like it’s from Basingstoke and you’re more likely to answer. If in doubt, hang up and call the organisation back on a number you find independently.

How do I dial a Basingstoke number from abroad?

Drop the leading 0 and add +44. A number written as 01256 XXXXXX becomes +44 1256 XXXXXX when dialled internationally.

Can this tool tell me who owns the number?

No. It shows the area of the dialling code and the provider Ofcom allocated the number range to — not the individual or business holding a specific number, which may also have been ported to another network.

01256 Area Code – Basingstoke | Dialling Code, Format & Call Charges

Q: Where is the 01256 area code?

01256 is the UK geographic dialling code for Basingstoke. Any number written as 01256 XXXXXX is tied to the Basingstoke dialling-code area, though with modern VoIP a business can keep its 01256 number after moving away.

Dialling code: 01256
Area: Basingstoke
Number type: Geographic landline (01/02)
Local format: 01256 XXXXXX
From abroad: +44 1256 XXXXXX
Ofcom number blocks: 415
Blocks in service: 272
Range holders: 112

Where is the 01256 area code?

The 01256 dialling code is the UK geographic area code for Basingstoke. Because 01256 is a geographic (01/02) code, a number using it is tied to the Basingstoke dialling-code area — though with modern hosted telephony (VoIP) a business can keep a 01256 number after moving premises, so the code reflects the number’s designated area rather than a guaranteed physical location today.

Ofcom currently lists 415 number blocks under 01256, of which 272 are allocated to 112 communications providers.

Basingstoke phone number format

A Basingstoke number is made up of a 5-digit area code followed by a 5 or 6-digit local number. Written in full it looks like 01256 XXXXXX (the Xs stand for the local digits). Ofcom has not reserved a fictitious drama range for 01256; for on-screen examples it recommends the unused 01632 960000–01632 960999 range.

Who holds 01256 number ranges?

Ofcom allocates 01256 numbers to providers in blocks. These providers hold the largest allocations under 01256:

Range holder (allocated by Ofcom)	Number blocks	Example range
BT	48	`01256 224XXX`
Virgin Media Limited	18	`01256 00XXXX`
Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited	17	`01256 236XXX`
Sky UK Limited	15	`01256 211XXX`
Vodafone Ltd (C&W)	15	`01256 60XXXX`
GTT-EMEA LTD	10	`01256 250XXX`
GCI Network Solutions Limited	8	`01256 220XXX`
TalkTalk Communications Limited	7	`01256 212XXX`

…and 104 more providers hold smaller allocations in this range.

Ofcom’s data shows the provider each number range was originally allocated to — not who holds an individual number today. Numbers are frequently moved (ported) between providers, and no public database reveals the person or business behind a specific number, so treat any service that claims to with suspicion.

01256 number ranges

Browse the allocated 01256 ranges by their first local digit — each guide lists the providers holding that slice of Basingstoke’s numbers:

01256 0XXXXX · 1 ranges 01256 2XXXXX · 76 ranges 01256 3XXXXX · 10 ranges 01256 4XXXXX · 31 ranges 01256 5XXXXX · 57 ranges 01256 6XXXXX · 39 ranges 01256 7XXXXX · 13 ranges 01256 8XXXXX · 9 ranges 01256 9XXXXX · 36 ranges

Call charges for 01256 numbers

Calls to 01256 geographic numbers are charged at your phone provider’s standard UK landline rate and are normally included in inclusive call minutes. UK-wide 03 numbers are guaranteed by Ofcom to cost the same as 01/02 calls, while 084, 087 and 09 numbers cost considerably more — always check the prefix before you dial.

Spotting spoofed 01256 scam calls

Fraudsters frequently spoof local dialling codes, faking the caller ID so a scam call appears to come from a Basingstoke (01256) number you might trust. Remember:

A familiar 01256 area code is not proof the caller is local or genuine — caller ID can be faked.
Banks, HMRC and the police will never ask you to move money or share passwords or one-time codes over the phone.
If a call feels off, hang up, wait a moment, and call the organisation back on a number from their official website or your statement.
Report nuisance calls to the ICO and forward scam texts to 7726 (free).

Other dialling codes in this range

Numerically adjacent UK dialling codes:

01254 Blackburn Area code guide 01255 Clacton-on-Sea Area code guide 01257 Coppull Area code guide 01258 Blandford Area code guide

Browse all UK area-code guides ›

Run mobiles for a business? See our business mobile network comparison or get a quote.

01256 area code – Basingstoke