UK area code
01243 area code — Chichester
01243 is Ofcom’s Chichester numbering area, in West Sussex, South East England. 109 phone companies hold its 221 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01243 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01730 Petersfield (22 km) and 01798 Pulborough (24 km).
01243 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Chichester
- County
- West Sussex
- Council area
- West Sussex
- Region
- South East England
- Number format
- 01243 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0243)
- Allocated blocks
- 221 of 388 (57%) across 109 providers
- Newest block
- 20 July 2026 (2 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01243 number called you
No clear pattern in reports for these numbers yet. If a call worried you:
- 1
Call back on a number you trust
If a caller says they're your bank, HMRC, a courier or a council, hang up and ring the organisation on the number from its website or your statement, never the number that called you. Caller ID can be faked.
- 2
Forward it to 7726
On a mobile, copy the caller's number from your recent calls and text it to 7726 (it spells SPAM). Scam texts can be forwarded to 7726 as they are. It's free, and your network uses the reports to investigate and block numbers.
- 3
Stop sales calls
Register your landline and mobile free with the Telephone Preference Service (0345 070 0707). Legitimate UK marketers must check it; calls should drop within 28 days. It won't stop scammers.
- 4
If you lost money or shared details
Call your bank on the number on your card (or 159 to reach most UK banks safely), then report it to Report Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; in Scotland call Police Scotland on 101.
01243 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01243 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01243 234 567.
Before 1995: 01243 took its current form at PhONEday on 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted into every UK geographic code — before that the area dialled 0243.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01243 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01243 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01243 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 20 July 2026. 2 blocks were allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01243 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01243 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01243, by allocated blocks. The holder is the company Ofcom allocated the block to; a number can since have been ported to another provider (see range holder vs current provider).
| Range holder | Allocated | All blocks | First block | Latest block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT | 33 | 33 | 15 July 1994 | 20 March 2024 |
| Sky UK Limited | 16 | 16 | 20 June 2013 | 7 June 2024 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 14 | 14 | 5 April 2004 | 20 July 2026 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 10 | 10 | 31 August 2011 | 21 November 2018 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 9 | 9 | 3 October 2013 | 15 November 2021 |
| Magrathea Telecommunications Limited | 8 | 8 | 16 November 2011 | 17 November 2011 |
| Colt Technology Services | 4 | 4 | 30 January 2013 | 7 September 2023 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 4 | 4 | 29 November 2007 | 12 April 2016 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 4 | 4 | 20 April 2017 | 26 February 2024 |
| Virgin Media Limited | 4 | 4 | 24 January 1995 | 27 June 2012 |
| Lumen Technologies UK Limited | 3 | 3 | 25 July 2011 | 25 July 2011 |
| Media Hawk Ltd | 3 | 3 | 10 April 2013 | 28 September 2016 |
| Six Degrees Technology Group Limited | 3 | 3 | 14 January 2020 | 14 January 2020 |
| Barritel Limited | 2 | 2 | 9 March 2006 | 2 December 2022 |
| DRD Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 5 October 2023 | 5 October 2023 |
| Datazero Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 December 2010 | 29 April 2019 |
| Digitech Solutions Global Limited | 2 | 2 | 23 April 2010 | 22 June 2012 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| IOVOX Limited | 2 | 2 | 3 April 2012 | 28 March 2017 |
| Resilient Limited | 2 | 2 | 9 September 2011 | 9 September 2011 |
| Served Up Limited | 2 | 2 | 1 March 2013 | 1 March 2013 |
| Voiceflex Limited | 2 | 2 | 4 September 2007 | 24 April 2024 |
| Voxbone SA | 2 | 2 | 10 December 2007 | 17 January 2022 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 17 October 2011 | 17 October 2011 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 January 2020 | 17 January 2020 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 26 March 2012 | 26 March 2012 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 1 November 2004 | 1 November 2004 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 16 January 2017 | 16 January 2017 |
| Alphatalk Limited | 1 | 1 | 31 January 2014 | 31 January 2014 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 26 February 2009 | 26 February 2009 |
Showing the 30 largest of 109 holders.
All number blocks on 01243first 200 of 388, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 124300 | Protected | — |
| +44 124301 | Protected | — |
| +44 124302 | Protected | — |
| +44 124303 | Protected | — |
| +44 124304 | Protected | — |
| +44 124305 | Protected | — |
| +44 124306 | Protected | — |
| +44 124307 | Protected | — |
| +44 124308 | Protected | — |
| +44 124309 | Protected | — |
| +44 124310 | Protected | — |
| +44 124311 | Allocated | IP Voice Networks Ltd |
| +44 124312 | Protected | — |
| +44 124313 | Protected | — |
| +44 124314 | Protected | — |
| +44 124315 | Protected | — |
| +44 124316 | Protected | — |
| +44 124317 | Protected | — |
| +44 124318 | Protected | — |
| +44 124319 | Protected | — |
| +44 124320 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 124321 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 124322 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124323 | Protected | — |
| +44 124324 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1243250 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1243251 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1243252 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 1243253 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243254 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1243255 | Allocated | Tuxtel Ltd |
| +44 1243256 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1243257 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 1243258 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243259 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 124326 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1243270 | Allocated | DRD Communications Limited |
| +44 1243271 | Allocated | DRD Communications Limited |
| +44 1243272 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243273 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1243274 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1243275 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243276 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1243277 | Allocated | Datazero Ltd |
| +44 1243278 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1243279 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1243280 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1243281 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243282 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1243283 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243284 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1243285 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243286 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243287 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243288 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243289 | Protected | — |
| +44 124329 | Allocated | Flextel Limited |
| +44 1243300 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 1243301 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 1243302 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1243303 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1243304 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1243305 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 1243306 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1243307 | Allocated | GO Internet Ltd |
| +44 1243308 | Free | — |
| +44 1243309 | Free | — |
| +44 1243310 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243311 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243312 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243313 | Free | — |
| +44 1243314 | Free | — |
| +44 1243315 | Free | — |
| +44 1243316 | Free | — |
| +44 1243317 | Free | — |
| +44 1243318 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243319 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243320 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243321 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243322 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243323 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1243324 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1243325 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243326 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243327 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243328 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243329 | Protected | — |
| +44 124333 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1243340 | Allocated | Digitech Solutions Global Limited |
| +44 1243341 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1243342 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1243343 | Allocated | SiPalto Ltd |
| +44 1243344 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1243345 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1243346 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1243347 | Allocated | Orbital Net Limited |
| +44 1243348 | Allocated | Belgacom International Carrier Services SA |
| +44 1243349 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 124335 | Protected | — |
| +44 124336 | Protected | — |
| +44 124337 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124338 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124339 | Allocated | TGL Services (UK) Ltd |
| +44 1243400 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243401 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243402 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243403 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243404 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243405 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243406 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243407 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243408 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243409 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243410 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1243411 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1243412 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1243413 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1243414 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1243415 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1243416 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1243417 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243418 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243419 | Protected | — |
| +44 124342 | Allocated | IV Response Limited |
| +44 124343 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 1243440 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243441 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 1243442 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 1243443 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243444 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243445 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243446 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243447 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243448 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243449 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243450 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243451 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243452 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243453 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243454 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243455 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243456 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243457 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243458 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243459 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 1243460 | Allocated | Media Hawk Ltd |
| +44 1243461 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243462 | Allocated | Media Hawk Ltd |
| +44 1243463 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| +44 1243464 | Allocated | Mintaka Limited |
| +44 1243465 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1243466 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243467 | Allocated | I.T Communications Limited |
| +44 1243468 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1243469 | Allocated | Number Services Ltd. |
| +44 124347 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243480 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243481 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243482 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243483 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243484 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243485 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243486 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243487 | Allocated | Spitfire Network Services Limited |
| +44 1243488 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243489 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243490 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243491 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243492 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243493 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243494 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243495 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243496 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243497 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243498 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243499 | Protected | — |
| +44 124350 | Allocated | Barritel Limited |
| +44 124351 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124352 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124353 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124354 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124355 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124356 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 124357 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124358 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124359 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 124360 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124361 | Allocated | Verizon UK Limited |
| +44 124362 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 124363 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 124364 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124365 | Allocated | Alphatalk Limited |
| +44 1243660 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243661 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243662 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243663 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243664 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243665 | Protected | — |
| +44 1243666 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 1243667 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
Related lookups
- 01730 Petersfield22 km away
- 01798 Pulborough24 km away
- 01428 Haslemere28 km away
- 01903 Worthing29 km away
- BT33 allocated blocks on 01243
- Sky UK Limited16 allocated blocks on 01243
- Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited14 allocated blocks on 01243
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More West Sussex codesSame region
- All UK area codesBrowse every 01/02 dialling code
- Lookup any UK numberFree reverse phone lookup
- UK area codes explainedCornerstone guide
- 020 London numbers explainedCornerstone guide
- 0330 numbers explainedCornerstone guide
- How Ofcom allocates UK phone numbersCornerstone guide
FAQs about 01243
Where is area code 01243?
01243 is Ofcom's Chichester numbering area, in West Sussex, South East England. Its exchange town is in West Sussex. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1243.
Do I need to dial 01243 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01243 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01243 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01243 numbers written?
Numbers on 01243 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01243 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1243 then the local number.
What was the 01243 area code before?
01243 took its current form at PhONEday on 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted into every UK geographic code — before that the area dialled 0243. Old signage or stationery showing 0243 refers to the same Chichester numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01243 numbers?
Ofcom lists 109 providers with allocated blocks on 01243. The largest are BT with 33 of the 221 allocated blocks, Sky UK Limited with 16 of the 221 allocated blocks and Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited with 14 of the 221 allocated blocks. Numbers can be ported, so a number's current provider may differ from the block's holder.
Which area codes are next to 01243?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01730 Petersfield (22 km), 01798 Pulborough (24 km), 01428 Haslemere (28 km) and 01903 Worthing (29 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01243 number?
On a mobile, text the caller's number to 7726 (free). If you lost money or shared details, call your bank and report it to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040), which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. Unwanted sales calls go to the ICO after registering with the Telephone Preference Service.