UK area code
01685 area code — Merthyr Tydfil
01685 is Ofcom’s Merthyr Tydfil numbering area, in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. 92 phone companies hold its 130 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01685 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01443 Pontypridd (17 km) and 01874 Brecon (22 km).
01685 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Council area
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Country
- Wales
- Number format
- 01685 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0685)
- Allocated blocks
- 130 of 397 (33%) across 92 providers
- Newest block
- 15 April 2026 (2 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01685 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.
01685 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01685 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01685 234 567.
Before 1995: 01685 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 0685.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01685 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01685 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01685 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 15 April 2026. 2 blocks were allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01685 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01685 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01685, 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 | 11 | 11 | 15 July 1994 | 18 August 2022 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 11 | 11 | 26 April 2017 | 26 February 2024 |
| Virgin Media Limited | 8 | 8 | 29 June 2012 | 29 June 2012 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 6 | 6 | 20 January 2012 | 24 April 2015 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 3 | 3 | 16 May 2008 | 12 April 2016 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 2 | 2 | 1 November 2004 | 4 August 2006 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| Lumen Technologies UK Limited | 2 | 2 | 14 July 2006 | 14 July 2006 |
| Sky UK Limited | 2 | 2 | 1 July 2013 | 18 June 2021 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 12 September 2012 | 12 September 2012 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 January 2020 | 17 January 2020 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 5 April 2012 | 5 April 2012 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 6 December 2016 | 6 December 2016 |
| Alnitak GmbH | 1 | 1 | 10 June 2016 | 10 June 2016 |
| Aloha Telecommunications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 August 2011 | 17 August 2011 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 30 March 2009 | 30 March 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 14 May 2010 | 14 May 2010 |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 1 | 27 June 2007 | 27 June 2007 |
| 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 |
| Calltracks Limited | 1 | 1 | 23 September 2013 | 23 September 2013 |
| Colt Technology Services | 1 | 1 | 28 October 2015 | 28 October 2015 |
| 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 | 27 January 2020 | 27 January 2020 |
| DRD Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 5 October 2023 | 5 October 2023 |
| Datazero Ltd | 1 | 1 | 30 October 2012 | 30 October 2012 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 8 January 2020 | 8 January 2020 |
| Digitech Solutions Global Limited | 1 | 1 | 26 June 2012 | 26 June 2012 |
Showing the 30 largest of 92 holders.
Openreach exchanges at Merthyr Tydfil
Exchanges Openreach lists at this location in its copper stop-sell programme, with the date new copper orders stop.
- Ynysowen(YYN) SWYYNStop sell 19-Aug-25 · Tranche 17
All number blocks on 01685first 200 of 397, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 168500 | Protected | — |
| +44 168501 | Protected | — |
| +44 168502 | Protected | — |
| +44 168503 | Protected | — |
| +44 168504 | Protected | — |
| +44 168505 | Protected | — |
| +44 168506 | Protected | — |
| +44 168507 | Protected | — |
| +44 168508 | Protected | — |
| +44 168509 | Protected | — |
| +44 168510 | Protected | — |
| +44 168511 | Protected | — |
| +44 168512 | Protected | — |
| +44 168513 | Protected | — |
| +44 168514 | Protected | — |
| +44 168515 | Protected | — |
| +44 168516 | Protected | — |
| +44 168517 | Protected | — |
| +44 168518 | Protected | — |
| +44 168519 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685200 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685201 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685202 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685203 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685204 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685205 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685206 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685207 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685208 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685209 | Protected | — |
| +44 168521 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 168522 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 168523 | Allocated | Barritel Limited |
| +44 168524 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 1685250 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685251 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685252 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| +44 1685253 | Allocated | Entanet International Ltd |
| +44 1685254 | Allocated | Zapappi Ltd |
| +44 1685255 | Allocated | I.T Communications Limited |
| +44 1685256 | Allocated | IP Voice Networks Ltd |
| +44 1685257 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1685258 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1685259 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1685260 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685261 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685262 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685263 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685264 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685265 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685266 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685267 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1685268 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1685269 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1685270 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685271 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685272 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685273 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685274 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685275 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685276 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685277 | Allocated | Spitfire Network Services Limited |
| +44 1685278 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685279 | Protected | — |
| +44 168528 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 168529 | Allocated | Nationwide Telephone Assistance Ltd |
| +44 168530 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1685310 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685311 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685312 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685313 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685314 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1685315 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685316 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685317 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685318 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685319 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685320 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1685321 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1685322 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 1685323 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685324 | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
| +44 1685325 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1685326 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1685327 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1685328 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1685329 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 168533 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 168534 | Protected | — |
| +44 168535 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1685360 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685361 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685362 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685363 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685364 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685365 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685366 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685367 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685368 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685369 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 168537 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 168538 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1685390 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685391 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685392 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685393 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685394 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685395 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685396 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685397 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685398 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1685399 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 168540 | Allocated | (AQ) LIMITED |
| +44 168541 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 168542 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 1685430 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1685431 | Free | — |
| +44 1685432 | Free | — |
| +44 1685433 | Free | — |
| +44 1685434 | Free | — |
| +44 1685435 | Free | — |
| +44 1685436 | Free | — |
| +44 1685437 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1685438 | Free | — |
| +44 1685439 | Free | — |
| +44 168544 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 168545 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 168546 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 168547 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 1685480 | Allocated | Lanonyx Telecom Limited |
| +44 1685481 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1685482 | Allocated | Orange Business Holdings UK Limited |
| +44 1685483 | Free | — |
| +44 1685484 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 1685485 | Free | — |
| +44 1685486 | Free | — |
| +44 1685487 | Free | — |
| +44 1685488 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 1685489 | Free | — |
| +44 1685490 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1685491 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685492 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685493 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685494 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685495 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685496 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685497 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685498 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685499 | Protected | — |
| +44 168550 | Protected | — |
| +44 168551 | Protected | — |
| +44 168552 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 168553 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 168554 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 168555 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 168556 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 168557 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 168558 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 168559 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 168560 | Allocated | Invade International Ltd |
| +44 168561 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 168562 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 1685630 | Allocated | Calltracks Limited |
| +44 1685631 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1685632 | Allocated | TGL Services (UK) Ltd |
| +44 1685633 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1685634 | Allocated | Telappliant Limited |
| +44 1685635 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1685636 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1685637 | Allocated | VoiceHost Limited |
| +44 1685638 | Allocated | Telephone Box Limited |
| +44 1685639 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685640 | Allocated | Phone Co-Op Numbering Limited |
| +44 1685641 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685642 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1685643 | Allocated | Nexbridge Communications Limited |
| +44 1685644 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685645 | Allocated | Aloha Telecommunications Ltd |
| +44 1685646 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 1685647 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1685648 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 1685649 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685650 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685651 | Allocated | Datazero Ltd |
| +44 1685652 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1685653 | Allocated | Media Hawk Ltd |
| +44 1685654 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1685655 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1685656 | Protected | — |
| +44 1685657 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1685658 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1685659 | Allocated | XoverX Ltd |
| +44 1685660 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1685661 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1685662 | Allocated | Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited |
| +44 1685663 | Allocated | Alnitak GmbH |
| +44 1685664 | Allocated | Number Services Ltd. |
| +44 1685665 | Allocated | YayYay Limited |
| +44 1685666 | Allocated | Redwood Technologies Ltd |
| +44 1685667 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
Related lookups
- 01443 Pontypridd17 km away
- 01874 Brecon22 km away
- 01495 Pontypool23 km away
- 01873 Abergavenny25 km away
- BT11 allocated blocks on 01685
- GCI Network Solutions Limited11 allocated blocks on 01685
- Virgin Media Limited8 allocated blocks on 01685
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Wales 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 01685
Where is area code 01685?
01685 is Ofcom's Merthyr Tydfil numbering area, in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Its exchange town is in Merthyr Tydfil. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1685.
Do I need to dial 01685 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01685 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01685 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01685 numbers written?
Numbers on 01685 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01685 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1685 then the local number.
What was the 01685 area code before?
01685 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 0685. Old signage or stationery showing 0685 refers to the same Merthyr Tydfil numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01685 numbers?
Ofcom lists 92 providers with allocated blocks on 01685. The largest are BT with 11 of the 130 allocated blocks, GCI Network Solutions Limited with 11 of the 130 allocated blocks and Virgin Media Limited with 8 of the 130 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 01685?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01443 Pontypridd (17 km), 01874 Brecon (22 km), 01495 Pontypool (23 km) and 01873 Abergavenny (25 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01685 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.