- 116 numbers
- Harmonised helplines - free
- Example
- 116 123 Samaritans
- 118 numbers
- Directory enquiries - costly
- 118 price cap
- £3.65 per 90 seconds
What are 116 helplines & 118 directory enquiries?
116 and 118 are short special-service numbers with very different costs. 116 numbers are harmonised, mostly free-to-call helplines; 118 numbers are directory-enquiry services that can be very expensive.
Who uses 116 / 118 numbers?
116 numbers are reserved for services of social value - for example 116 123 (Samaritans) and 116 000 (the missing-children hotline). 118 numbers are run by commercial directory-enquiry providers.
How much do 116 / 118 numbers cost to call?
116 helplines are free to call. 118 directory enquiries are among the most expensive numbers in the UK - some charge several pounds for the connection plus a high per-minute rate, and a few connect onward calls at premium rates.
Scam & cost warnings
118 directory-enquiry charges are notoriously high. Ofcom capped them at £3.65 per 90 seconds, but a single call can still cost a lot. Use a free online search or a 116 helpline where appropriate instead.
How to check a 116 / 118 number
Not sure about a number you’ve been given or called by? Paste it into the
UK phone number checker — it identifies the
type, the area (for geographic numbers) and the provider Ofcom allocated the range
to, using official data refreshed every Wednesday. For example, try 116 123 in the checker above.