UK short codes — 999, 112, 101, 105, 116

UK short codes are 3- to 6-digit national numbers reserved for specific safety, public-service or directory functions. Most are free; one family (118) is expensive. Knowing them is genuinely useful — the right short code can save you a long wait, a long bill, or a life. This guide covers the seven you should know in 2026.

#999 — the original UK emergency number

Dial 999 for immediate threat to life, serious injury, crime in progress, or fire. Free from every UK phone, mobile or landline, and works even when the phone has no credit, no SIM, or is locked. Connects to BT Operator Services which routes you to the right emergency service (police, ambulance, fire, coastguard, mountain rescue).

#112 — the European emergency number

112 is the harmonised European emergency number. In the UK it connects to the exact same operator as 999, with identical priority. The advantage of 112 is that it also works in every other European country without modification — useful if you travel.

#101 — non-emergency police

Dial 101 for anything that needs police attention but isn't urgent: reporting a stolen car, reporting low-level antisocial behaviour, following up on an existing case, or asking general questions. Free in 2026 (the historic 15p charge was abolished in 2020). 24-hour service.

• Not for emergencies — for those, dial 999 or 112.
• Not for noise complaints — those go to your local council's environmental health team.
• Not for crime in progress — dial 999.

#105 — UK power-cut helpline

105 is the free national helpline for power cuts and electricity emergencies, run by the Energy Networks Association. Use it for: power cut in your area, damaged power line, exposed cable, dangerous electrical equipment in the street. The 105 operator connects you to the right Distribution Network Operator (DNO) automatically, regardless of who your retail energy supplier is.

#111 — NHS non-emergency

Dial 111 for urgent but not life-threatening medical advice. The 111 operator can give first-aid guidance, book you a same-day GP slot, dispatch an out-of-hours doctor, or arrange an ambulance if needed. Free from every UK phone. Available 24/7 in all four UK nations.

• Symptoms that need urgent attention but aren't 999-level emergencies.
• Out-of-hours dental pain, mental-health crisis, medication questions.
• 111 online (www.111.nhs.uk) is the same triage for non-voice users.

#116 — pan-European helplines

The 116 range is reserved across Europe for non-commercial helplines of social value. Each 116 number is harmonised across the EU + UK so the same helpline can be reached with the same digits in any participating country. Notable UK uses:

#118 — directory enquiries (expensive)

The 118 range is UK directory enquiries — services that look up a business or residential phone number for you. Unlike the rest of this list, 118 calls are heavily charged: typical cost is £3-£5 per call as a connection fee, plus per-minute service charge, plus your network's access charge.

#Other UK shortcodes worth knowing

• 159 — Stop Scams UK safe-callback for UK banks. Free. See 159 explained.
• 7726 — forward suspicious texts here for the NCSC spam database. Free.
• 1471 — read out the number that last called you (BT landline, free).
• 1572 — anonymous-call rejection toggle (BT landline, free). See withheld number UK.
• 150 — your mobile network's customer service (varies by operator).
• 123 — the speaking-clock (BT landline, paid).

#Bottom line

The free UK short codes (999, 112, 101, 105, 111, 116, 159, 7726) are some of the best public services your phone provides. Save the ones you don't already know. Avoid 118 — it's expensive and obsolete. For any other UK number, paste it into the lookup form on the homepage to identify the caller.