Elin Mattsson
|How and why
|2024-04-03
What is an area code?
An area code is a sequence of numbers that identifies areas within telecommunications. Area codes can be for both geographical and non-geographical calling areas. The formal name for this is the National Destination Code (NDC).
Geographical area codes indicate where in Sweden the call is coming from or where it is intended to go. This applies to landline telephony, and the geographical division encompasses a total of 264 areas in Sweden. In addition to this, there are telephone number plans for non-geographical area codes. Examples of these include 020 numbers, which are used for toll-free calls, and 010 numbers, which are often used for business telephony.
- Area codes do not necessarily coincide with municipal or county borders.
- There are 264 different geographical area codes.
- 010 numbers are non-geographical area codes.
- The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) manages the telephone numbering plan.
Area codes are not the same as regions
One might think that an area code corresponds to a geographical area, but this is not the case. Therefore, there may be different area codes within the same municipality or county. The division was made in the mid-1930s, and until 1958, area codes were called "network group numbers" because the areas were called "network groups." Originally, there were 330 areas for area codes, but this number has now been reduced to 264.
Non-geographical area codes
Geographical area codes indicate regions, such as 011 for Norrköping. Then there are area codes that are non-geographical. Here are some examples of non-geographical area codes:
- 010 numbers are often used by businesses and typically lead to a switchboard.
- 020 numbers are used for toll-free calls, often for customer support.
- 070, 073, and 076 numbers are used for mobile telephony.
- 0900 numbers are for premium rate services. (0939 and 0944 are also for premium rate services).
- 099 numbers are for various mass calling services.
PTS – Swedish Post and Telecom Authority
Today, the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) is responsible for the telephone numbering plan. They took over from Televerket, now known as Telia, when the telecommunications law came into force in 1993.
From operators to automation
In the past, operators answered calls and then connected them to the correct destination. This was a completely manual process. Area codes were created to introduce automated traffic. The automation began in 1924, with Stockholm being the first to implement it. All subscribers connected to the Norra Vasastan local exchange were then automatically connected. Over the years, the automatic network was developed and completed in 1972 in the Arjeplog area.
Stockholm had 010 as its area code
Stockholm used to have the area code 010. Between 1962 and 1963, this was changed to 08 due to the introduction of a seven-digit subscriber number. This change was due to a technical limitation, as the total number of digits was not to exceed nine. In 1992, the final change was made to area codes, where all subscribers with 07xx numbers were also given the area code 08. This allowed 07x numbers to be opened up for mobile services.
Dial area codes
Today, you do not need to dial the area code when making calls within the same area code as your own. In most countries, you do not need to dial the area code when making calls within the same geographical area. However, if you are calling internationally, you need to dial the country code, area code, and subscriber number.
Different area codes
01 numbers
011 Norrköping
0120 Åtvidaberg
0121 Söderköping
0122 Finspång
0123 Valdemarsvik
0125 Vikbolandet
013 Linköping
0140 Tranås
0141 Motala
0142 Mjölby-Skänninge-Boxholm
0143 Vadstena
0144 Ödeshög
0150 Katrineholm
0151 Vingåker
0152 Strängnäs
0155 Nyköping-Oxelösund
0156 Trosa-Vagnhärad
0157 Flen-Malmköping
0158 Gnesta
0159 Mariefred
016 Eskilstuna-Torshälla
0171 Enköping
0173 Öregrund-Östhammar
0174 Alunda
0175 Hallstavik-Rimbo
0176 Norrtälje
018 Uppsala
019 Örebro-Kumla
02 numbers
021 Västerås
0220 Hallstahammar-Surahammar
0221 Köping
0222 Skinnskatteberg
0223 Fagersta-Norberg
0224 Sala-Heby
0225 Hedemora-Säter
0226 Avesta-Krylbo
0227 Kungsör
023 Falun
0240 Ludvika-Smedjebacken
0241 Gagnef-Floda
0243 Borlänge
0246 Svärdsjö-Enviken
0247 Leksand-Insjön
0248 Rättvik
0250 Mora-Orsa
0251 Älvdalen
0253 Idre-Särna
0258 Furudal
026 Gävle-Sandviken
0270 Söderhamn
0271 Alfta-Edsbyn
0278 Bollnäs
0280 Malung
0281 Vansbro
0290 Hofors-Storvik
0291 Hedesunda-Österfärnebo
0292 Tärnsjö-Östervåla
0293 Tierp-Söderfors
0294 Karlsholmsbruk-Skärplinge
0295 Örbyhus-Dannemora
0297 Ockelbo-Hamrånge
03 numbers
0300 Kungsbacka
0301 Hindås
0302 Lerum
0303 Kungälv
0304 Orust-Tjörn
031 Gothenburg
0320 Kinna
0321 Ulricehamn
0322 Alingsås-Vårgårda
0325 Svenljunga-Tranemo
033 Borås
0340 Varberg
0345 Hyltebruk-Torup
0346 Falkenberg
035 Halmstad
036 Jönköping-Huskvarna
0370 Värnamo
0371 Gislaved-Anderstorp
0372 Ljungby
0380 Nässjö
0381 Eksjö
0382 Sävsjö
0383 Vetlanda
0390 Gränna
0392 Mullsjö
0393 Vaggeryd
04 numbers
040 Malmö
0410 Trelleborg
0411 Ystad
0413 Eslöv-Höör
0414 Simrishamn
0415 Hörby
0416 Sjöbo
0417 Tomelilla
0418 Landskrona-Svalöv
042 Helsingborg-Höganäs
0430 Laholm
0431 Ängelholm-Båstad
0433 Markaryd-Strömnäsbruk
0435 Klippan-Perstorp
044 Kristianstad
0451 Hässleholm
0454 Karlshamn-Olofström
0455 Karlskrona
0456 Sölvesborg-Bromölla
0457 Ronneby
0459 Ryd
046 Lund
0470 Växjö
0471 Emmaboda
0472 Alvesta-Rydaholm
0474 Åseda-Lenhovda
0476 Älmhult
0477 Tingsryd
0478 Lessebo
0479 Osby
0480 Kalmar
0481 Nybro
0485 Öland
0486 Torsås
0490 Västervik
0491 Oskarshamn-Högsby
0492 Vimmerby
0493 Gamleby
0494 Kisa
0495 Hultsfred-Virserum
0496 Mariannelund
0498 Gotland
0499 Mönsterås
05 numbers
0500 Skövde
0501 Mariestad
0502 Tidaholm
0503 Hjo
0504 Tibro
0505 Karlsborg
0506 Töreboda-Hova
0510 Lidköping
0511 Skara-Götene
0512 Vara-Nossebro
0513 Herrljunga
0514 Grästorp
0515 Falköping
0520 Trollhättan
0521 Vänersborg
0522 Uddevalla
0523 Lysekil
0524 Munkedal
0525 Grebbestad
0526 Strömstad
0528 Färgelanda
0530 Mellerud
0531 Bengtsfors
0532 Åmål
0533 Säffle
0534 Ed
054 Karlstad
0550 Kristinehamn
0551 Gullspång
0552 Dejev
0553 Molkom
0554 Kil
0555 Grums
0560 Torsby
0563 Hagfors-Munkfors
0564 Sysslebäck
0565 Sunne
0570 Arvika
0571 Charlottenberg-Åmotfors
0573 Årjäng
0580 Kopparberg
0581 Lindesberg
0582 Hallsberg
0583 Askersund
0584 Laxå
0585 Fjugesta-Svartå
0586 Karlskoga-Degerfors
0587 Nora
0589 Arboga
0590 Filipstad
0591 Hällefors-Grythyttan
06 numbers
060 Sundsvall-Timrå
0611 Härnösand
0612 Kramfors
0613 Ullånger
0620 Sollefteå
0621 Junsele
0622 Näsåker
0623 Ramsele
0624 Backe
063 Östersund
0640 Krokom
0642 Lit
0643 Hallen-Oviken
0644 Hammerdal
0645 Föllinge
0647 Åre-Järpen
0650 Hudiksvall
0651 Ljusdal
0652 Bergsjö
0653 Delsbo
0657 Los
0660 Örnsköldsvik
0661 Bredbyn
0662 Björna
0663 Husum
0670 Strömsun
0671 Hoting
0672 Gäddede
0680 Sveg
0682 Rätan
0684 Hede-Funäsdalen
0687 Svenstavik
0690 Ånge
0691 Torpshammar
0692 Liden
0693 Bräcke-Gällö
0695 Stugun
0696 Hammarstrand
08 numbers
08 Stockholm
09 numbers
090 Umeå
0910 Skellefteå
0911 Piteå
0912 Byske
0913 Lövånger
0914 Burträsk
0915 Bastuträsk
0916 Jörn
0918 Norsjö
0920 Luleå
0921 Boden
0922 Haparanda
0923 Kalix
0924 Råneå
0925 Lakaträsk
0926 Överkalix
0927 Övertorneå
0928 Harads
0929 Älvsbyn
0930 Nordmaling
0932 Bjurholm
0933 Vindeln
0934 Robertfors
0935 Vännäs
0940 Vilhelmina
0941 Åsele
0942 Dorotea
0943 Fredrika
0950 Lycksele
0951 Storuman
0952 Sorsele
0954 Tärnaby
0960 Arvidsjaur
0961 Arjeplog
0970 Gällivare
0971 Jokkmokk
0973 Porjus
0975 Hakkas
0976 Vuollerim
0977 Korpilombolo
0978 Pajala
0980 Kiruna
0981 Vittangi
