What is the E.164 format?
The E.164 format is the international standard defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for telephone numbering. It ensures that phone numbers are recognized and used correctly worldwide. In other words, it’s a standardized way to write phone numbers to avoid confusion and guarantee proper call routing, whether for local or international communications.
Thanks to this format, phone systems know exactly how to route calls, making communication between different countries and operators much easier.
Structure of the E.164 format
The E.164 format can contain up to 15 digits and is made up of:
- The + sign indicating an international number
- The country code (1 to 3 digits)
- The national number, without the leading zero or separators
Example: a French number 06 12 34 56 78 becomes +33612345678.
How to use the E.164 format correctly
- Add the international prefix: always start the number with the + sign, followed by the country code. For example, use +33 for France, +44 for the United Kingdom, or +34 for Spain.
- Do not use spaces or special characters: the E.164 format only includes digits and the plus sign. Avoid parentheses, hyphens, or spaces to ensure universal compatibility.
- Check the country and area codes: make sure you use the correct country code, and if necessary, the correct area code, so your call reaches the intended destination.
Examples of E.164 formatted numbers:
- France: +33612345678
- United Kingdom: +442071234567
- Spain: +34912345678
Why this format matters in Ringover
Using the E.164 format in Ringover ensures that your outgoing calls, SMS messages, and integrations with other tools (such as CRMs or APIs) work properly across all countries. It also helps standardize your contact data, preventing errors during contact import or synchronization.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting the + sign at the beginning of the number
- Keeping the leading zero from the national number (e.g., “+330612345678” ❌)
- Adding spaces, hyphens, or parentheses (e.g., “+33 (0)6 12-34-56-78” ❌)
By following these simple best practices, your numbers will be correctly recognized by all phone systems, no matter the country. This helps you avoid connection errors and ensures smooth international communication.
To learn more about configuring phone numbers in your Ringover account, check out our article: Setting up your phone numbers in Ringover.