UK area code
01946 area code — Whitehaven
01946 is Ofcom’s Whitehaven numbering area, in Cumbria, North West England. 88 phone companies hold its 184 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01946 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01900 Workington (11 km) and 01557 Kirkcudbright (44 km).
01946 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Whitehaven
- County
- Cumbria
- Council area
- Cumberland
- Region
- North West England
- Number format
- 01946 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0946)
- Allocated blocks
- 184 of 514 (36%) across 88 providers
- Newest block
- 26 January 2026 (2 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01946 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.
01946 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01946 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01946 234 567.
Before 1995: 01946 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 0946.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01946 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01946 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01946 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 26 January 2026. 2 blocks were allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01946 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01946 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01946, 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 | 24 | 24 | 15 July 1994 | 26 November 2019 |
| Sky UK Limited | 9 | 9 | 26 June 2013 | 18 April 2023 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 9 | 9 | 9 September 2013 | 13 March 2025 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 6 | 6 | 8 October 2007 | 31 July 2014 |
| IOVOX Limited | 5 | 5 | 5 July 2012 | 17 May 2016 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 4 | 4 | 4 June 2008 | 12 April 2016 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 4 | 4 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| Magrathea Telecommunications Limited | 4 | 4 | 24 September 2004 | 28 January 2010 |
| Colt Technology Services | 3 | 3 | 24 June 2016 | 17 January 2019 |
| Resilient Limited | 3 | 3 | 18 May 2012 | 18 May 2012 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 17 January 2020 | 27 January 2020 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 January 2008 | 3 January 2008 |
| Adepteo Limited | 2 | 2 | 29 November 2016 | 29 November 2016 |
| Barritel Limited | 2 | 2 | 6 June 2007 | 10 October 2008 |
| Belgacom International Carrier Services SA | 2 | 2 | 14 July 2020 | 21 October 2020 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 April 2023 | 11 April 2023 |
| Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited | 2 | 2 | 21 May 2019 | 21 May 2019 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 8 January 2020 | 8 January 2020 |
| EVE CONNECT LTD | 2 | 2 | 22 June 2022 | 9 November 2022 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 2 | 2 | 2 May 2017 | 22 December 2023 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 2 | 2 | 15 March 2005 | 9 October 2008 |
| ICUK Computing Services Limited | 2 | 2 | 5 June 2020 | 17 June 2020 |
| INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED | 2 | 2 | 26 January 2026 | 26 January 2026 |
| IP Voice Networks Ltd | 2 | 2 | 20 September 2017 | 20 September 2017 |
| Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) | 2 | 2 | 21 October 2011 | 20 January 2015 |
| Invoco Ltd | 2 | 2 | 25 May 2012 | 3 February 2015 |
| Invosys Limited | 2 | 2 | 17 May 2012 | 23 August 2017 |
| KCOM Group Ltd | 2 | 2 | 8 September 2022 | 8 September 2022 |
| Kalnet4U Ltd | 2 | 2 | 6 June 2013 | 21 March 2016 |
| Localphone Limited | 2 | 2 | 23 May 2007 | 23 May 2007 |
Showing the 30 largest of 88 holders.
All number blocks on 01946first 200 of 514, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 194600 | Protected | — |
| +44 194601 | Protected | — |
| +44 194602 | Protected | — |
| +44 194603 | Protected | — |
| +44 194604 | Protected | — |
| +44 194605 | Protected | — |
| +44 194606 | Protected | — |
| +44 194607 | Protected | — |
| +44 194608 | Protected | — |
| +44 194609 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946100 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946101 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946102 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946103 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946104 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946105 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946106 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946107 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946108 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946109 | Protected | — |
| +44 194611 | Protected | — |
| +44 194612 | Protected | — |
| +44 194613 | Protected | — |
| +44 194614 | Protected | — |
| +44 194615 | Protected | — |
| +44 194616 | Protected | — |
| +44 194617 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 194618 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 194619 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946200 | Allocated | DRD Communications Limited |
| +44 1946201 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946202 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946203 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946204 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946205 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946206 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946207 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946208 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946209 | Protected | — |
| +44 194621 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 1946220 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946221 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946222 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946223 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946224 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946225 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946226 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946227 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946228 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946229 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946230 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946231 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946232 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946233 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946234 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946235 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946236 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946237 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946238 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946239 | Protected | — |
| +44 194624 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 194625 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 194626 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 1946270 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946271 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946272 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946273 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946274 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946275 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946276 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946277 | Allocated | Spitfire Network Services Limited |
| +44 1946278 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946279 | Protected | — |
| +44 194628 | Allocated | Barritel Limited |
| +44 1946290 | Allocated | Resilient Limited |
| +44 1946291 | Allocated | Resilient Limited |
| +44 1946292 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946293 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946294 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946295 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946296 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946297 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946298 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946299 | Allocated | Resilient Limited |
| +44 194630 | Allocated | (AQ) LIMITED |
| +44 194631 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 1946320 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946321 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946322 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946323 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946324 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946325 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946326 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946327 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946328 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1946329 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 194633 | Protected | — |
| +44 194634 | Allocated | Nationwide Telephone Assistance Ltd |
| +44 194635 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 194636 | Allocated | Entanet International Ltd |
| +44 194637 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 1946380 | Free | — |
| +44 1946381 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| +44 1946382 | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
| +44 1946383 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1946384 | Allocated | Zapappi Ltd |
| +44 1946385 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1946386 | Allocated | Number Services Ltd. |
| +44 1946387 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1946388 | Free | — |
| +44 1946389 | Allocated | IP Voice Networks Ltd |
| +44 1946390 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946391 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 1946392 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946393 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 1946394 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 1946395 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1946396 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 1946397 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 1946398 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1946399 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 1946400 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 1946401 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 1946402 | Allocated | Invade International Ltd |
| +44 1946403 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 1946404 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946405 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1946406 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1946407 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1946408 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1946409 | Allocated | Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited |
| +44 1946410 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 1946411 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946412 | Allocated | VoiceHost Limited |
| +44 1946413 | Allocated | Telappliant Limited |
| +44 1946414 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1946415 | Allocated | Datazero Ltd |
| +44 1946416 | Allocated | Telephone Box Limited |
| +44 1946417 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946418 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1946419 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1946420 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946421 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1946422 | Allocated | Nexbridge Communications Limited |
| +44 1946423 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946424 | Allocated | Barritec Limited |
| +44 1946425 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1946426 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1946427 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 1946428 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1946429 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 1946430 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1946431 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1946432 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1946433 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1946434 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 1946435 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946436 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1946437 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1946438 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1946439 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1946440 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1946441 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1946442 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1946443 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1946444 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1946445 | Allocated | Redwood Technologies Ltd |
| +44 1946446 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1946447 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1946448 | Allocated | YayYay Limited |
| +44 1946449 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946450 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 1946451 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1946452 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1946453 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1946454 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1946455 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1946456 | Allocated | ICUK Computing Services Limited |
| +44 1946457 | Allocated | Belgacom International Carrier Services SA |
| +44 1946458 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1946459 | Allocated | Mi Telecom Limited |
| +44 1946460 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1946461 | Allocated | Media Hawk Ltd |
| +44 1946462 | Allocated | Lanonyx Telecom Limited |
| +44 1946463 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 1946464 | Allocated | VOXYONDER NETWORK SERVICES UK LTD |
| +44 1946465 | Free | — |
| +44 1946466 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 1946467 | Free | — |
| +44 1946468 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 1946469 | Free | — |
| +44 1946470 | Free | — |
| +44 1946471 | Free | — |
| +44 1946472 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946473 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946474 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946475 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946476 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946477 | Protected | — |
| +44 1946478 | Protected | — |
Related lookups
- 01900 Workington11 km away
- 01557 Kirkcudbright44 km away
- 01556 Castle Douglas50 km away
- 01229 Barrow-in-Furness53 km away
- BT24 allocated blocks on 01946
- Sky UK Limited9 allocated blocks on 01946
- Vodafone Ltd (C&W)9 allocated blocks on 01946
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Cumbria 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 01946
Where is area code 01946?
01946 is Ofcom's Whitehaven numbering area, in Cumbria, North West England. Its exchange town is in Cumberland. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1946.
Do I need to dial 01946 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01946 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01946 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01946 numbers written?
Numbers on 01946 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01946 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1946 then the local number.
What was the 01946 area code before?
01946 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 0946. Old signage or stationery showing 0946 refers to the same Whitehaven numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01946 numbers?
Ofcom lists 88 providers with allocated blocks on 01946. The largest are BT with 24 of the 184 allocated blocks, Sky UK Limited with 9 of the 184 allocated blocks and Vodafone with 9 of the 184 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 01946?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01900 Workington (11 km), 01557 Kirkcudbright (44 km), 01556 Castle Douglas (50 km) and 01229 Barrow-in-Furness (53 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01946 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.