0116 Area Code UK:
Leicester Telephone Code,
Location & How It Works
Everything you need to know about the 0116 telephone code, where it is located, the areas it covers, call costs and how businesses use Leicester numbers.
What is the 0116 area code?
The 0116 area code is the main geographic telephone code for Leicester and surrounding parts of Leicestershire.
If you've received a call from a number beginning with 0116, the caller is using a telephone number associated with Leicester.
Businesses, organisations and residents across Leicester use 0116 numbers every day.
Leicester is one of the largest cities in the East Midlands and has a strong reputation for manufacturing, logistics, retail, professional services and higher education. As a result, 0116 numbers are widely recognised throughout the region.
Although modern communications technology allows businesses to answer calls from almost anywhere, the 0116 prefix remains strongly associated with Leicester and nearby communities.
What area code is 0116?
0116 is the area code for Leicester.
This is one of the most common questions people ask when they see a number beginning with 0116.
If someone searches:
- What area code is 0116?
- Where is 0116 area code?
- Phone code 0116
the answer is Leicester.
The 0116 code identifies telephone numbers associated with Leicester and surrounding parts of Leicestershire.
Why is 0116 known as the Leicester telephone code?
People often refer to 0116 as the Leicester telephone code because numbers beginning with this prefix are associated with Leicester and surrounding areas.
You may also hear people describe it as:
- 0116 phone code
- 0116 telephone code
- phone code 0116
- area code 0116
These terms all refer to the same Leicester numbering area.
For example:
would be recognised as a Leicester telephone number.
Where is the 0116 area code located?
The 0116 area code is located in Leicester in the East Midlands of England.
Leicester is one of the UK's most diverse and economically active cities. The city is known for:
Because of Leicester's commercial importance, many organisations choose an 0116 number when they want to establish a local presence in the city.
Customers often recognise Leicester numbers and associate them with established local businesses.
What areas does the 0116 area code cover?
The 0116 area code covers Leicester and several surrounding communities.
| Area | Covered by 0116 | Area | Covered by 0116 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester | Yes | Anstey | Yes |
| Birstall | Yes | Cosby | Yes |
| Countesthorpe | Yes | East Goscote | Yes |
| Fleckney | Yes | Great Glen | Yes |
| Groby | Yes | Huncote | Yes |
| Kibworth Harcourt | Yes | Mountsorrel | Yes |
| Narborough | Yes | Queniborough | Yes |
| Ratby | Yes | Syston | Yes |
| Whetstone | Yes |
The exact range may vary depending on number allocation, but these are among the locations commonly associated with Leicester telephone numbers.
How do 0116 numbers work?
An 0116 number works in much the same way as any standard UK geographic landline number.
However, modern businesses often connect these numbers to cloud phone systems instead of traditional telephone lines.
This allows calls to:
- Ring a mobile phone
- Ring an office handset
- Ring a desktop application
- Route to multiple users
- Transfer between departments
- Go to voicemail when unavailable
Many businesses also use virtual phone numbers to maintain a Leicester presence while operating from other locations.
As a result, a company can use an 0116 number without physically being based in Leicester.
Are 0116 numbers safe?
Yes.
0116 numbers are legitimate UK geographic telephone numbers.
Businesses, public organisations and individuals use Leicester numbers every day.
Like any telephone number, however, fraudsters can occasionally spoof numbers to disguise their identity. If you receive an unexpected call, it is sensible to verify who is calling before sharing personal or financial information.
The area code itself does not indicate whether a caller is genuine or fraudulent.
Are 0116 numbers free?
No.
0116 numbers are not freephone numbers.
They are treated as standard UK geographic telephone numbers and are usually included within mobile and landline call packages.
Most callers will not pay additional charges if they have inclusive minutes available.
If you're specifically looking for numbers that are free for customers to call, you may wish to compare Leicester numbers with 0800 freephone numbers.
How much does it cost to call an 0116 number?
The cost depends on your telephone provider and tariff.
In most cases:
- Calls are included within bundled minutes
- Calls are charged at standard UK geographic rates
- Calls are not premium-rate calls
For many UK mobile and landline users, calling an 0116 number costs no extra beyond their normal allowance.
Who uses 0116 numbers?
A wide variety of organisations use Leicester numbers.
Common examples include:
- Local businesses
- Tradespeople
- Accountants
- Solicitors
- Estate agents
- Recruitment companies
- Healthcare providers
- Consultants
- National businesses targeting the East Midlands
Many organisations choose Leicester numbers because they help create a stronger local identity and improve customer confidence.
Businesses that are comparing different UK business phone numbers often choose 0116 numbers when targeting customers in Leicester and across Leicestershire.
Why businesses choose Leicester numbers
Local Trust
Customers often feel more comfortable calling a familiar local number than an unfamiliar national number.
Professional Image
A dedicated business number creates a more professional impression than using a personal mobile phone.
Leicester Presence
Businesses can establish a local Leicester presence without the cost of opening an office in the city.
Flexible Working
Modern phone systems allow staff to answer calls from mobile devices, desktop applications and office handsets.
Room to Grow
Businesses can add users, departments and advanced call handling features without changing their number.
Many organisations combine Leicester numbers with business phone systems to improve customer service and manage calls more effectively.
0116 Leicester Numbers vs London Numbers
Some businesses compare Leicester numbers with London numbers before deciding which area code best suits their organisation.
0116 Leicester Numbers
- Strong East Midlands identity
- Trusted across Leicester and surrounding areas
- Ideal for regional businesses
- Creates a Leicester presence
020 London Numbers
- Associated with London
- Nationally recognised
- Popular with companies targeting London customers
- Suitable for businesses wanting a capital-city presence
If your target audience is based in Leicester or Leicestershire, an 0116 number may feel more relevant and familiar.
Businesses looking for a London presence may prefer 020 London numbers or 0203 numbers.
Can businesses use an 0116 number outside Leicester?
Yes.
Modern cloud phone systems allow businesses to use an 0116 Leicester number regardless of where they are physically located.
For example, a company based in Manchester, Birmingham, London or even overseas can use an 0116 number to create a local presence in Leicester.
Calls can be routed to mobile phones, desktop apps or office handsets anywhere in the world.
This flexibility makes Leicester numbers particularly attractive to start-ups, remote teams and growing businesses that want to establish trust with customers in Leicestershire without the cost of opening a local office.
How to get an 0116 number
Getting an 0116 Leicester number is straightforward.
Choose an available number, connect it to your phone system and decide where incoming calls should be delivered.
Modern Leicester numbers can:
- Forward calls to your mobile
- Ring multiple users
- Include voicemail
- Support call recording
- Route calls based on opening hours
- Provide professional call handling
This makes them suitable for sole traders, start-ups, growing businesses and established organisations alike.
Ready to Use an 0116 Leicester Business Number?
An 0116 Leicester number gives your business a trusted local presence while allowing you to work from anywhere.
With Switchboard Solo, your Leicester number can:
- ✓route calls directly to your mobile, desktop or office phone
- ✓keep your personal number private
- ✓let you control when and where calls are answered with time-based routing
- ✓include professional voicemail and call handling features
- ✓work from anywhere in the UK or abroad
Whether you're a sole trader, start-up or growing business, an 0116 number can help you build trust with customers across Leicester and the wider East Midlands without the cost of a physical office.
You can start with a free trial to see how it works before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 0116 area code is the geographic telephone code for Leicester.
0116 is the area code used for Leicester and surrounding areas.
The 0116 phone code is another way of referring to the Leicester telephone numbering area.
The 0116 telephone code is the geographic code used for Leicester telephone numbers.
Phone code 0116 refers to the Leicester area code.
The 0116 area code is located in Leicester, England.
Area code 0116 is the geographic telephone code assigned to Leicester.
An 0116 number is a telephone number associated with Leicester and nearby areas.
No. They are standard UK geographic numbers but are usually included within mobile and landline call bundles.
Yes. They are legitimate UK geographic telephone numbers.
Yes. Modern cloud phone systems allow businesses to use Leicester numbers from virtually any location.
Businesses use Leicester numbers to create local trust, establish a Leicester presence and present a more professional image.
Summary
The 0116 area code is the main telephone code for Leicester and surrounding areas in Leicestershire.
Whether people refer to the 0116 area code, 0116 phone code, 0116 telephone code, phone code 0116, area code 0116 or Leicester area code, they are talking about the same geographic numbering area.
For businesses, an 0116 number offers a recognised local presence, helps build trust with customers and works seamlessly with modern communications technology.
It remains a strong choice for organisations looking to connect with customers across Leicester and the wider East Midlands.