Phone Number Validator

A free phone validator and phone number checker for whole lists: paste hundreds or thousands of numbers and see in a second which ones can be real. Use it on a contact list, a CRM export or sign-up form entries before you call or text anyone.

Names and labels are never touched: only the numbers are checked. In the first example, Sue’s 555-0123 is too short (US numbers need an area code), (555) 123-4567 has an area code that doesn’t exist, and 201.555.0123 is Tom’s number written another way, so those lines go. In the second, Bob’s number is missing a digit. The table above the list shows each number with its country, its type and what was wrong.

What it checks

A valid phone number has the right number of digits for its country and starts with an area code or prefix that really exists.

• Length: every country has its own rules. A US number has 10 digits after the +1; a UK number 10 after the 0 (or after +44); Germany allows several lengths.
• Real number ranges: the area code or prefix must exist. (555) 123-4567, the number from films, fails, and so does (999) 555-1234.
• Country: numbers starting with + and a country code are checked against that country. Numbers without one are checked against the country you choose under Numbers without + are from (your own country to start with).
• Type: mobile, landline, toll-free, premium rate or internet (VoIP), wherever the number shows it. See “Is this a mobile number?” below.
• Duplicates, however they’re written: (201) 555-0123, 201.555.0123 and +1 201 555 0123 are the same number.
• Extensions like x45 or ext. 45 are kept with their number.

Everything else in a line stays exactly as it is: in Tom: (201) 555-0123 only the number is checked, and rewritten if you choose a style under Write them (or use the Phone Number Formatter). A line is removed only when its number can’t be right or repeats one above it, and only while those boxes are ticked; a line with a good number and a bad one stays.

How to validate phone numbers in bulk

1. Paste your numbers, or open a .txt or .csv file with File.
2. Check Numbers without + are from: it should be the country most of your numbers are in.
3. Press Check numbers. Valid numbers stay in the list; the table lists every number with the result. Copy results copies the table for a spreadsheet.

Checking a column from a spreadsheet? Untick both Remove boxes: every row then stays in its place, bad and repeated numbers are only listed in the table, and you can paste the column straight back.

Is this a mobile number?

In most countries mobile numbers have their own prefixes, so the type is certain: UK mobiles start with 07, for example. In the United States, Canada and the other countries that share +1, mobile and landline numbers use the same area codes, and a number can move from one to the other, so the table says landline or mobile. Telling those apart takes a live carrier lookup, which paid services sell.

Phone number validation vs. verification

Phone number validation, what this page does, checks that a number can exist. Phone number verification goes further: whether a number is in service, who it belongs to, or which phone company it’s with. A number can follow every rule and still be disconnected. To verify a phone number that far takes a lookup on the phone network itself, which only paid services can do. This tool catches every number that can’t be right, for free, before you pay to check the rest.

The numbering rules come from Google’s libphonenumber data, which follows changes that countries announce, and are updated here regularly.

Names stay with their numbers

Tom: (201) 555-0123
Sue: 555-0123
Film extra: (555) 123-4567
Tom again: 201.555.0123
London office: +44 20 7946 0958
Bob 212-555-1234 ext. 45

Tom: (201) 555-0123
London office: +44 20 7946 0958
Bob 212-555-1234 ext. 45

Try this example

Names and numbers from a contact export

Amy Smith, (415) 555-2671
Bob Jones, 415-555-267
Carla Diaz, +1 (800) 555-0199

Amy Smith, (415) 555-2671
Carla Diaz, +1 (800) 555-0199

Try this example