UK area code
01244 area code — Chester
01244 is Ofcom’s Chester numbering area, in Cheshire, North West England. 112 phone companies hold its 379 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01244 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01829 Tarporley (15 km) and 01352 Mold (17 km).
01244 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Chester
- County
- Cheshire
- Council area
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Region
- North West England
- Number format
- 01244 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0244)
- Allocated blocks
- 379 of 523 (72%) across 112 providers
- Newest block
- 26 June 2026 (6 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01244 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.
01244 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01244 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01244 234 567.
Before 1995: 01244 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 0244.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01244 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01244 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01244 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 26 June 2026. 6 blocks were allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01244 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01244 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01244, 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 | 129 | 129 | 15 July 1994 | 28 April 2025 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 35 | 35 | 3 October 2013 | 17 November 2021 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 24 | 24 | 20 April 2004 | 26 June 2026 |
| Sky UK Limited | 17 | 17 | 20 June 2013 | 9 January 2025 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 12 | 12 | 31 August 2011 | 9 January 2020 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 10 | 10 | 30 March 2017 | 26 February 2024 |
| Lumen Technologies UK Limited | 8 | 8 | 25 July 2011 | 25 July 2011 |
| Colt Technology Services | 7 | 7 | 17 April 2015 | 6 March 2024 |
| Magrathea Telecommunications Limited | 7 | 7 | 16 November 2011 | 16 November 2011 |
| Daisy Communications Ltd | 6 | 6 | 14 December 2011 | 14 December 2011 |
| Voxbone SA | 5 | 5 | 10 December 2007 | 25 February 2026 |
| Media Hawk Ltd | 3 | 3 | 10 April 2013 | 28 September 2016 |
| Verizon UK Limited | 3 | 3 | 3 August 2005 | 3 August 2005 |
| Virgin Media Limited | 3 | 3 | 3 March 2017 | 20 January 2021 |
| Barritel Limited | 2 | 2 | 17 August 2007 | 2 December 2022 |
| DRD Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 5 October 2023 | 5 October 2023 |
| Datazero Ltd | 2 | 2 | 4 November 2010 | 29 April 2019 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 29 November 2007 | 15 March 2016 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| IOVOX Limited | 2 | 2 | 3 April 2012 | 28 March 2017 |
| NFON UK Ltd | 2 | 2 | 29 April 2016 | 5 February 2025 |
| Redwood Technologies Ltd | 2 | 2 | 15 November 2018 | 15 November 2018 |
| Served Up Limited | 2 | 2 | 1 March 2013 | 1 March 2013 |
| Six Degrees Technology Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 14 January 2020 | 14 January 2020 |
| Voiceflex Limited | 2 | 2 | 27 July 2007 | 19 October 2023 |
| WAVECREST NETWORKS LIMITED | 2 | 2 | 16 December 2019 | 16 December 2019 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 17 October 2011 | 17 October 2011 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 January 2020 | 17 January 2020 |
| 8x8 UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 19 February 2010 | 19 February 2010 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 1 November 2004 | 1 November 2004 |
Showing the 30 largest of 112 holders.
Openreach exchanges at Chester
Exchanges Openreach lists at this location in its copper stop-sell programme, with the date new copper orders stop.
- Chester South WNCSSStop sell 29-Apr-22 · Tranche 4
- Mickle Trafford WNMTStop sell 13-Oct-21 · Tranche 1b
All number blocks on 01244first 200 of 523, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 124400 | Protected | — |
| +44 124401 | Protected | — |
| +44 124402 | Protected | — |
| +44 124403 | Protected | — |
| +44 124404 | Protected | — |
| +44 124405 | Protected | — |
| +44 124406 | Protected | — |
| +44 124407 | Protected | — |
| +44 124408 | Protected | — |
| +44 124409 | Protected | — |
| +44 124410 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244110 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244111 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244112 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244113 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244114 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244115 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244116 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244117 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244118 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244119 | Protected | — |
| +44 124412 | Protected | — |
| +44 124413 | Protected | — |
| +44 124414 | Protected | — |
| +44 124415 | Protected | — |
| +44 124416 | Protected | — |
| +44 124417 | Protected | — |
| +44 124418 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244190 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244191 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244192 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244193 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244194 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244195 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244196 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244197 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244198 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244199 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244200 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244201 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244202 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244203 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244204 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1244205 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1244206 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244207 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244208 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 1244209 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 124421 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244220 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244221 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244222 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244223 | Allocated | ICUK Computing Services Limited |
| +44 1244224 | Allocated | SiPalto Ltd |
| +44 1244225 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244226 | Allocated | Belgacom International Carrier Services SA |
| +44 1244227 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1244228 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244229 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244230 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1244231 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1244232 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1244233 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1244234 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1244235 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1244236 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1244237 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1244238 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1244239 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 124424 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244250 | Allocated | Daisy Communications Ltd |
| +44 1244251 | Allocated | Daisy Communications Ltd |
| +44 1244252 | Allocated | Daisy Communications Ltd |
| +44 1244253 | Allocated | Daisy Communications Ltd |
| +44 1244254 | Allocated | Daisy Communications Ltd |
| +44 1244255 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244256 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244257 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244258 | Allocated | Daisy Communications Ltd |
| +44 1244259 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244260 | Allocated | DRD Communications Limited |
| +44 1244261 | Allocated | DRD Communications Limited |
| +44 1244262 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244263 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244264 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1244265 | Free | — |
| +44 1244266 | Free | — |
| +44 1244267 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244268 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244269 | Allocated | Mi Telecom Limited |
| +44 124427 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 124428 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244290 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1244291 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1244292 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1244293 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1244294 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1244295 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1244296 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1244297 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1244298 | Allocated | AVC One Limited |
| +44 1244299 | Allocated | Datazero Ltd |
| +44 1244300 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244301 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244302 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244303 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244304 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244305 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244306 | Allocated | GTT-EMEA LTD |
| +44 1244307 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1244308 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1244309 | Allocated | WightFibre Limited |
| +44 124431 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124432 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244330 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244331 | Allocated | NFON UK Ltd |
| +44 1244332 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244333 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244334 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1244335 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244336 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244337 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1244338 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244339 | Free | — |
| +44 124434 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124435 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124436 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124437 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244380 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244381 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244382 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244383 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244384 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244385 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1244386 | Free | — |
| +44 1244387 | Free | — |
| +44 1244388 | Free | — |
| +44 1244389 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124439 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124440 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 124441 | Allocated | Citrus Telecommunications Ltd |
| +44 1244420 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 1244421 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244422 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 1244423 | Free | — |
| +44 1244424 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 1244425 | Allocated | Commi Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244426 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 1244427 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244428 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1244429 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 1244430 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244431 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244432 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1244433 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1244434 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1244435 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1244436 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244437 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244438 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244439 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1244440 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 1244441 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1244442 | Allocated | Chess Limited |
| +44 1244443 | Allocated | Dynamic Mobile Billing Limited |
| +44 1244444 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244445 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1244446 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 1244447 | Allocated | TeleWare Group Limited |
| +44 1244448 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244449 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 1244450 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1244451 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1244452 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244453 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244454 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244455 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1244456 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1244457 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1244458 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1244459 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1244460 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244461 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244462 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244463 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244464 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244465 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244466 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1244467 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244468 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244469 | Protected | — |
| +44 124447 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 1244480 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244481 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244482 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244483 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244484 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244485 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244486 | Protected | — |
| +44 1244487 | Protected | — |
Related lookups
- 01829 Tarporley15 km away
- 01352 Mold17 km away
- 01978 Wrexham17 km away
- 01928 Runcorn20 km away
- BT129 allocated blocks on 01244
- Vodafone Ltd (C&W)35 allocated blocks on 01244
- Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited24 allocated blocks on 01244
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Cheshire 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 01244
Where is area code 01244?
01244 is Ofcom's Chester numbering area, in Cheshire, North West England. Its exchange town is in Cheshire West and Chester. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1244.
Do I need to dial 01244 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01244 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01244 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01244 numbers written?
Numbers on 01244 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01244 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1244 then the local number.
What was the 01244 area code before?
01244 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 0244. Old signage or stationery showing 0244 refers to the same Chester numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01244 numbers?
Ofcom lists 112 providers with allocated blocks on 01244. The largest are BT with 129 of the 379 allocated blocks, Vodafone with 35 of the 379 allocated blocks and Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited with 24 of the 379 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 01244?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01829 Tarporley (15 km), 01352 Mold (17 km), 01978 Wrexham (17 km) and 01928 Runcorn (20 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01244 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.