The 0121 area code is a geographic dialling code in the United Kingdom that is used to identify the Birmingham area.
It covers Birmingham city centre and locations such as Darlaston, Halesowen, Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Tipton, Wednesbury, and West Bromwich.
Calls from Numbers Beginning 0121
If you receive a call from a telephone number with the 0121 area code, it is most likely that the caller is located in the Birmingham area.
However, it’s also possible that a business or individual has purchased the number as a virtual number.
In such cases, the caller could be located anywhere in the world, but is using a Birmingham telephone number to give the impression that they are based in the area.
Virtual numbers can be a useful tool for businesses that want to establish a local presence in a particular region.
Dialling Birmingham Phone Numbers from Overseas
To dial a phone number in Birmingham from overseas:
- Dial the international access code for the country you are calling from (typically 00, 011, or +)
- Dial the country code for the United Kingdom (44)
- Dial the area code for Birmingham without the first zero (121)
- Dial the phone number of the person/business
- Full example telephone number to dial: 00 44 121 444 4444
Dialling Birmingham Phone Numbers from the UK
To dial a telephone number in Birmingham from within the UK, use the area code 0121 plus the number. For example, 0121 444 4444.
If calling a local phone number in Birmingham from a landline that also has the area code 0121, the 0121 area code is not needed.
When calling a Birmingham landline from a mobile phone, always include the area code.
History of the 0121 Area Code
The 0121 area code was introduced in 1995 as part of a nationwide overhaul of the UK’s telephone numbering system. It replaced the previous 021 area code.
The introduction of the new code was intended to create a more unified and consistent numbering system across the country, and to provide additional phone numbers to meet the growing demand for telephone services.

Current Time in Birmingham
If you are calling the Birmingham area from abroad, it’s important to be aware of the UK’s time zone, as there may be a time difference between your country and the time in the UK.
To avoid calling at an inconvenient time, it’s a good idea to check the current time in the UK before making your call.
The time now in Birmingham is . The date is .
Birmingham Map
The map below shows where Birmingham is located.

West Midlands Area Codes
We also offer area codes for other towns and cities in the West Midlands region:
- Bewdley
- Burton-on-Trent
- Cannock
- Coventry
- Dudley
- Evesham
- Hereford
- Ipstones
- Kidderminster
- Malvern
- Oswestry
- Redditch
- Rugby
- Shrewsbury
- Stafford
- Stoke
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- Tamworth
- Telford
- Walsall
- Warwick
- Wolverhampton
- Worcester
A complete list of UK area codes can be found here.