How many digits are there in a fax number?

Last Update: August 9th, 2021

There are the same number of digits in a fax number as there are in a phone number.

Fax numbers are a just a phone number with a fax machine, fax server, online fax, or fax software connected to them.

Example of a U.S. or Canadian fax number

Phone numbers can vary in length. In the United States and Canada, they are 10 digits in length (including a 3 digit area code). Dialing that 10 digit number from within the U.S. or Canada can be a 7 digit dial (if calling from the local calling area and 7 digit dialing is enabled), 10 digit dial (if calling from within the local calling area and 7 digit dialing is not enabled), or an 11 digit dial (if calling from outside the local calling area by using the trunk prefix ‘1’).

If dialing that same number from outside the U.S. or Canada, then there are even more digits as the exit code of the country the call is dialed from needs to be added so that the caller can reach the international switchboard.

For example, in the U.K., France, Germany, China, and India, ’00’ is used as the exit code. From these countries the call would be dialed ’00’ (for the exit code), then ‘1’ (for the US & Canadian country code), then ten digits (the local phone number) for a total of 13 digits.

In Australia, the exit code is ‘0011’. Calling from Australia the call would be dialed ‘0011’ (for the exit code), ‘1’ (for the US & Canadian country code), then ten digits (the local phone number) for a total of 15 digits.

In Japan, the exit code is ‘010’. From here calling the same number would be 14 digits.

Example of a U.K. fax number

U.K. fax numbers can vary from 9 to 10 digits including a leading ‘0’ that is not used when calling from outside the country. Local fax numbers can be 5 to 8 digits in length.

To dial the fax number within the U.K. within the same area code, dial only the local fax number. These calls are 5 to 8 digits.

To dial the fax number within the U.K. from a different area code, dial the trunk prefix ‘0’, then the area code, then the local fax number. These calls are 9 to 10 digits.

To dial the fax number from the U.S. or Canada, dial the international exit code ‘011’, then the U.K.’s country code of ’44’, then the area code (do not include the leading ‘0’), then the local phone number. This is a total of 13 to 14 digits.

To dial the fax number from France, Germany, China, or India, change the exit code to ’00’ and use the call sequence above. This is a total of 12 to 13 digits.

To dial the fax number from Australia, change the exit code to ‘0011’ and use the call sequence above. This is a total of 14 to 15 digits.

To dial the fax number from Japan, change the exit code to ‘010’ and use the call sequence above. This is a total of 13 to 14 digits.

Example of an Australian fax number

Australian fax numbers have an 8 digit local phone number with a 1 digit area code. ‘0’ is used as a trunk prefix (long distance code).

To dial a fax number within the same area code, only the 8 digit number is dialed, for a total of 8 digits.

To dial the same fax number from within a different area code, a leading ‘0’ is dialed, then the area code (1 digit), then the eight digit local number, for a total of 10 digits.

To dial the same fax number from the U.S. or Canada, ‘011’ is dialed as an international exit code, then ’61’ for Australia’s country code, then the 1 digit area code, then the eight digit local number. The leading ‘0’ is not included in the call sequence. This is a total of 14 digits.

To dial the same fax number from New Zealand, the U.K., France, Germany, China, and India, ’00’ as an exit code for an international call, for a total of 13 digits.

To dial the same fax number from Japan, ‘010’ is used as an exit code for an international call for a total of 14 digits.