Free Phone Number Lookup
Enter any phone number to check if it's a landline or mobile, verify validity, and get detailed carrier information.
To check if a phone number is a landline or cell phone: Enter the number above with its country code. The tool parses the number against official numbering plan data for 200+ countries and returns the type (landline, mobile, VoIP, toll-free), validity, carrier, and location. Results appear instantly. No account needed.
How phone number type detection works
Phone numbers follow strict allocation rules. In most countries, regulators assign specific prefix ranges to different number types. US landlines use geographic area codes (212 for Manhattan, 415 for San Francisco). US mobile numbers also use area codes but are assigned from different blocks. UK landlines start with 01 or 02, while UK mobiles start with 07.
This tool uses the libphonenumber dataset—the same library Google uses for phone number validation. It covers 200+ countries and territories with regularly updated numbering plan data.
How to check if a phone number is a landline or cell phone
Enter the number in the lookup field above with the country code (e.g., +1 for US/Canada, +44 for UK). The tool sanitizes formatting characters, parses the number against the country's numbering plan, and returns the detected type.
The detection accuracy depends on how strictly the country regulates number allocation. Countries like the UK and Germany have strict separation—landlines and mobiles use completely different prefix ranges. The US and Canada are harder because both landlines and mobiles can share the same area codes, though carrier data can still distinguish them.
Understanding phone number types
Landline (Fixed Line)
Traditional wired telephone numbers connected through physical infrastructure. These numbers are tied to a specific address and typically have geographic area codes that indicate location. Landlines are common for businesses, government offices, and residential homes.
Mobile (Cell Phone)
Wireless phone numbers associated with cellular devices. Mobile numbers use dedicated prefix ranges that differ by country. Unlike landlines, mobile numbers are portable and can receive SMS text messages.
VoIP (Voice over IP)
Internet-based phone numbers that can be used from any location with an internet connection. VoIP numbers may look like regular landlines but route calls over the internet. Common providers include services like Vonage, Google Voice, and business phone systems.
Toll-Free
Numbers that are free for the caller to dial. In the US, these typically start with 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833. The recipient pays for incoming calls. Commonly used by businesses for customer service lines.
Premium Rate
Numbers that charge the caller a higher rate per minute. Often used for entertainment services, technical support hotlines, or information lines. In the US, these often start with 900. Be cautious of unexpected charges when calling these numbers.
Why knowing the phone number type matters
- Calling costs differ by type. Calling a UK mobile (+44 7xxx) costs $0.10-0.15/min through most VoIP providers. Calling a UK landline (+44 20xx) costs $0.02-0.04/min—a 3-5x difference. International carriers charge even more for mobile termination.
- SMS only works on mobile numbers. Sending a text to a landline fails silently or returns an error. If you need to send a verification code, you need to confirm the number is mobile first.
- VoIP numbers may not receive all calls. Some carriers block calls to VoIP numbers for fraud prevention. If you're setting up a business line, a landline or mobile number may have better deliverability.
- Premium rate numbers cost $1-10+ per minute. Scammers sometimes use premium rate numbers disguised as support lines. Checking the number type before calling can save you from unexpected charges.
- Toll-free numbers reverse the billing. In the US, 800/888/877/866/855/844/833 numbers charge the recipient, not the caller. Businesses use these for customer service but they cost $0.03-0.06/min to receive.
What information does this phone lookup provide?
Our free phone number lookup returns detailed information about any phone number:
- Number type: Landline, mobile, VoIP, toll-free, premium rate, or other
- Validity check: Whether the number format is valid for its country
- Country information: Which country the number belongs to
- Geographic location: City or region for landline numbers (where available)
- Carrier information: The network operator (where available)
- Formatted versions: E.164, international, and national formats
- Timezone: The local timezone for the number's location
Frequently asked questions
Is this landline lookup really free?
Yes. The lookup uses publicly available phone numbering plan data. There's no cost to check any number, and no account required.
How accurate is the landline vs. cell phone detection?
The detection is based on official numbering plan allocations for each country. For most countries, the accuracy is very high because number prefixes are strictly allocated. However, number portability (transferring a number between carriers or types) can occasionally cause mismatches.
Can I look up who owns a phone number?
This tool identifies the number type and carrier, not the owner. For privacy reasons, personal subscriber information is not available through public lookups.
Does this work for international numbers?
Yes. The lookup works for phone numbers from any country. Just include the country code (e.g., +44 for UK, +49 for Germany, +81 for Japan).
What's the difference between "valid" and "possible" numbers?
"Possible" means the number has the right length and format to potentially be real. "Valid" means it matches the exact pattern required for that number type in that country. A number can be possible but not valid if it has the right length but uses an unassigned prefix.
Need to call the number you just looked up?
DialHard makes international calls from your browser. Rates start at $0.03/min to landlines in most of Europe and $0.04/min to US/Canada. Mobile rates vary by country—UK mobiles are $0.10/min, India mobiles $0.07/min. No app to download, no monthly fees, no contracts. Pay only for the minutes you use.
New users get 10 free minutes to test call quality on real calls.