UK area code
01581 area code — New Luce
01581 is Ofcom’s New Luce numbering area, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. 76 phone companies hold its 84 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01581 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01776 Stranraer (12 km) and 01671 Newton Stewart (24 km).
01581 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- New Luce
- Council area
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Country
- Scotland
- Number format
- 01581 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0581)
- Allocated blocks
- 84 of 487 (17%) across 76 providers
- Newest block
- 26 January 2026 (1 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01581 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 Police Scotland on 101. In Scotland fraud goes to Police Scotland rather than Report Fraud.
01581 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01581 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01581 234 567.
Before 1995: 01581 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 0581.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01581 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01581 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01581 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 26 January 2026. 1 block was allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01581 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01581 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01581, 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 | 6 | 6 | 15 July 1994 | 30 November 1999 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 14 May 2008 | 15 March 2016 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 20 January 2012 | 20 January 2012 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 11 September 2012 | 11 September 2012 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 January 2020 | 17 January 2020 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 30 March 2012 | 30 March 2012 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 4 January 2008 | 4 January 2008 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 6 December 2016 | 6 December 2016 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 23 March 2009 | 23 March 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 12 May 2010 | 12 May 2010 |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 June 2007 | 21 June 2007 |
| Belgacom International Carrier Services SA | 1 | 1 | 17 November 2020 | 17 November 2020 |
| Bicom Systems EURL | 1 | 1 | 1 March 2012 | 1 March 2012 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 11 April 2023 | 11 April 2023 |
| CFL Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 14 July 2009 | 14 July 2009 |
| Colt Technology Services | 1 | 1 | 18 July 2016 | 18 July 2016 |
| Content Guru Limited | 1 | 1 | 12 October 2012 | 12 October 2012 |
| Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 May 2019 | 21 May 2019 |
| DIDWW Ireland Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 January 2019 | 21 January 2019 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 10 December 2019 | 10 December 2019 |
| Digitech Solutions Global Limited | 1 | 1 | 27 April 2010 | 27 April 2010 |
| EVE CONNECT LTD | 1 | 1 | 9 November 2022 | 9 November 2022 |
| Flextel Limited | 1 | 1 | 24 October 2005 | 24 October 2005 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 1 | 1 | 20 December 2023 | 20 December 2023 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 1 | 1 | 24 May 2005 | 24 May 2005 |
| Hello Telecom (UK) Limited | 1 | 1 | 20 July 2012 | 20 July 2012 |
| I.T Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 25 April 2017 | 25 April 2017 |
| ICC Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 April 2012 | 17 April 2012 |
| ICUK Computing Services Limited | 1 | 1 | 17 June 2020 | 17 June 2020 |
Showing the 30 largest of 76 holders.
All number blocks on 01581first 200 of 487, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 158100 | Protected | — |
| +44 158101 | Protected | — |
| +44 158102 | Protected | — |
| +44 158103 | Protected | — |
| +44 158104 | Protected | — |
| +44 158105 | Protected | — |
| +44 158106 | Protected | — |
| +44 158107 | Protected | — |
| +44 158108 | Protected | — |
| +44 158109 | Protected | — |
| +44 158110 | Protected | — |
| +44 158111 | Protected | — |
| +44 158112 | Protected | — |
| +44 158113 | Protected | — |
| +44 158114 | Protected | — |
| +44 158115 | Protected | — |
| +44 158116 | Protected | — |
| +44 158117 | Protected | — |
| +44 158118 | Protected | — |
| +44 158119 | Protected | — |
| +44 158120 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 158121 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 158122 | Protected | — |
| +44 158123 | Allocated | (AQ) LIMITED |
| +44 158124 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 158125 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 158126 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 1581270 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581271 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581272 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581273 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581274 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581275 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581276 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581277 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1581278 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581279 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581280 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581281 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581282 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581283 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581284 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581285 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581286 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581287 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581288 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1581289 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 158129 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 158130 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 158131 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 158132 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 158133 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 1581340 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1581341 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581342 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581343 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581344 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581345 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581346 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581347 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581348 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581349 | Protected | — |
| +44 158135 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 158136 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 158137 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 158138 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 158139 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 158140 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 158141 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 158142 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 158143 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 158144 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581450 | Allocated | Digitech Solutions Global Limited |
| +44 1581451 | Allocated | Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited |
| +44 1581452 | Allocated | VoiceHost Limited |
| +44 1581453 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1581454 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1581455 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1581456 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 1581457 | Allocated | Telephone Box Limited |
| +44 1581458 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1581459 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581460 | Allocated | Phone Co-Op Numbering Limited |
| +44 1581461 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581462 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1581463 | Allocated | Nexbridge Communications Limited |
| +44 1581464 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 1581465 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581466 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581467 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581468 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 1581469 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1581470 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 1581471 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1581472 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1581473 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1581474 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581475 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1581476 | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
| +44 1581477 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1581478 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1581479 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581480 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1581481 | Allocated | Redwood Technologies Ltd |
| +44 1581482 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1581483 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1581484 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1581485 | Allocated | YayYay Limited |
| +44 1581486 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1581487 | Allocated | IP Voice Networks Ltd |
| +44 1581488 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1581489 | Allocated | XoverX Ltd |
| +44 1581490 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581491 | Allocated | Number Services Ltd. |
| +44 1581492 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 1581493 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1581494 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| +44 1581495 | Allocated | Zapappi Ltd |
| +44 1581496 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1581497 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1581498 | Allocated | I.T Communications Limited |
| +44 1581499 | Free | — |
| +44 158150 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1581510 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1581511 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 1581512 | Free | — |
| +44 1581513 | Free | — |
| +44 1581514 | Free | — |
| +44 1581515 | Allocated | VOXYONDER NETWORK SERVICES UK LTD |
| +44 1581516 | Free | — |
| +44 1581517 | Free | — |
| +44 1581518 | Allocated | Belgacom International Carrier Services SA |
| +44 1581519 | Free | — |
| +44 1581520 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581521 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581522 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581523 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581524 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581525 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581526 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581527 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581528 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581529 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581530 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581531 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581532 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581533 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581534 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581535 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581536 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581537 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581538 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581539 | Protected | — |
| +44 158154 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 158155 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581560 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581561 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581562 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581563 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581564 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581565 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581566 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581567 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581568 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581569 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581570 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581571 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581572 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581573 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581574 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581575 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581576 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581577 | Allocated | Spitfire Network Services Limited |
| +44 1581578 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581579 | Protected | — |
| +44 158158 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 158159 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 158160 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 158161 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 158162 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 158163 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1581640 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1581641 | Allocated | SiPalto Ltd |
| +44 1581642 | Free | — |
| +44 1581643 | Free | — |
| +44 1581644 | Allocated | Mi Telecom Limited |
| +44 1581645 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 1581646 | Allocated | ICUK Computing Services Limited |
| +44 1581647 | Free | — |
| +44 1581648 | Free | — |
| +44 1581649 | Free | — |
| +44 158165 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 158166 | Protected | — |
| +44 158167 | Allocated | Flextel Limited |
| +44 158168 | Allocated | Barritel Limited |
| +44 158169 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581700 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581701 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581702 | Protected | — |
| +44 1581703 | Protected | — |
Related lookups
- 01776 Stranraer12 km away
- 01671 Newton Stewart24 km away
- 01988 Wigtown27 km away
- 01465 Girvan33 km away
- BT6 allocated blocks on 01581
- Digital Space Group Limited2 allocated blocks on 01581
- Fuse 2 Communications Ltd2 allocated blocks on 01581
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Scotland 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 01581
Where is area code 01581?
01581 is Ofcom's New Luce numbering area, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Its exchange town is in Dumfries and Galloway. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1581.
Do I need to dial 01581 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01581 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01581 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01581 numbers written?
Numbers on 01581 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01581 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1581 then the local number.
What was the 01581 area code before?
01581 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 0581. Old signage or stationery showing 0581 refers to the same New Luce numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01581 numbers?
Ofcom lists 76 providers with allocated blocks on 01581. The largest are BT with 6 of the 84 allocated blocks, Digital Space Group Limited with 2 of the 84 allocated blocks and Fuse 2 Communications Ltd with 2 of the 84 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 01581?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01776 Stranraer (12 km), 01671 Newton Stewart (24 km), 01988 Wigtown (27 km) and 01465 Girvan (33 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01581 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 Police Scotland on 101. Unwanted sales calls go to the ICO after registering with the Telephone Preference Service.