What is the difference between a phone number and an area code?

Understand the basics of your business phone number

TL;DR:
A phone number is the full set of digits people call. The area code is just one part of it, showing the location. It’s like the postcode in an address.

Sven runs a small bakery in Rotterdam.
He starts selling pastries online and gets orders from Amsterdam too.

But he notices something strange.
People from Amsterdam aren’t calling to ask questions.
Locals call often. Amsterdam clients send emails instead.

Then he changes his VoIP number.
Instead of just a Rotterdam number, he adds one with the 020 area code for Amsterdam.

Next week, he gets five new orders from Amsterdam.
And four phone calls.

Why?

Because numbers matter.
More than most people realise.

What is a phone number?

It’s the full number someone dials to reach you.

It includes:

• A country code

• An area code

• A subscriber number

Each part plays a role.
Together, they form your identity on the phone.

Example:
+44 20 7946 0018

• +44 is the UK country code

• 20 is the London area code

• 7946 0018 is the unique subscriber part

So a phone number is the whole thing.The area code is just one piece.

What is an area code?

Think of it like this:
If your number is your address, the area code is your city.

It tells the phone network (and the caller) where you are.Or where you appear to be.

Examples:

• 010 = Rotterdam

• 020 = Amsterdam

• 0800 = TollFree in many countries

• 030 = Utrecht

Without the area code, the call can’t go to the right place.
Even on VoIP systems, it matters.

Why area codes still matter in 2025

Even in a world of global VoIP calls, area codes still shape how people see you.

Here’s why:

• They create trust. Local numbers feel closer.

• They help routing. Calls reach the right region fast.

• They signal type. Like 0800 means TollFree.

Back to Sven’s story.
When his Amsterdam customers saw a 010 number, it felt far away.
But 020? Familiar. Local. Safer to call.

That’s human behaviour.

Quick comparison

Can one area code serve many numbers?

Yes.

One area code can cover:

• Thousands of homes

• Hundreds of businesses

• Multiple cities (in some countries)

All with different subscriber numbers.

So two shops in London could have:

• 020 1234 5678

• 020 8765 4321

Same city. Different numbers. Same trust from callers.

What about VoIP numbers?

With a provider like Voyced, area codes become powerful tools.

You can:

• Pick any local code in over 165 countries

• Choose codes based on where your customers are

• Add TollFree or UIFN numbers with just a few clicks

No long contracts. No hardware.
Just a flexible, professional setup that grows with your business.

Real talk: Why your business should care

Let’s say you run support for a global app.

• Your main office is in Portugal.

• Your biggest user base is in Brazil.

• Your sales team works from Spain.

What do you do?

Set up three numbers:

• +351 Portugal number for locals

• +55 Brazil number with a São Paulo area code

• +34 Spain number for Spanish outreach

Each number makes clients feel like you’re right there.
Even if your team is remote.

Final thought: What does your number say about you?

Is your number hard to recognise?
Does it look foreign to your main clients?
Are you missing calls because people think it’s spam?

A simple area code change might fix it.

And with Voyced, you can add or switch numbers in minutes.

Not sure which number fits your audience?

Let’s talk.
We’ll help you get local, even if you’re global.

Start here