The Global Use of 8-Digit Numbers by Region
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 9:25 am
The structure of phone numbers is often defined by national telecommunications authorities. The use of 8-digit numbers is prevalent in:
Singapore: All phone numbers are 8 digits, with numbers starting with ‘6’ for landlines and ‘8’ or ‘9’ for mobile numbers.
Denmark & Norway: These countries adopted the 8-digit format to streamline their telecommunication systems in the 1990s.
Hong Kong: Both mobile and landline numbers are 8 digits, and the starting digit indicates the service type.
Israel: While mobile numbers are typically 10 digits including area codes, local landline numbers in some areas are 8 digits.
This format simplifies numbering plans while zalo database still offering enough variation for millions of unique phone numbers. It also reduces dialing time, which benefits users in both personal and professional communication.
3. Why 8-Digit Numbers Are Efficient and Scalable
One of the major advantages of the 8-digit format is simplicity. In an age where people juggle multiple contacts, shorter numbers reduce the mental load and chances of dialing errors. Additionally, 8-digit numbers are often easier to display on marketing material, business cards, and digital interfaces.
From a technical perspective, the 8-digit system remains highly scalable. For example, with just 8 digits, a country can technically assign up to 100 million unique numbers (from 00000000 to 99999999), which is more than enough for countries with smaller populations.
Also, with the increasing use of VoIP, mobile number portability, and number masking services, having a manageable number length without compromising on capacity is both practical and future-proof for these nations.
Singapore: All phone numbers are 8 digits, with numbers starting with ‘6’ for landlines and ‘8’ or ‘9’ for mobile numbers.
Denmark & Norway: These countries adopted the 8-digit format to streamline their telecommunication systems in the 1990s.
Hong Kong: Both mobile and landline numbers are 8 digits, and the starting digit indicates the service type.
Israel: While mobile numbers are typically 10 digits including area codes, local landline numbers in some areas are 8 digits.
This format simplifies numbering plans while zalo database still offering enough variation for millions of unique phone numbers. It also reduces dialing time, which benefits users in both personal and professional communication.
3. Why 8-Digit Numbers Are Efficient and Scalable
One of the major advantages of the 8-digit format is simplicity. In an age where people juggle multiple contacts, shorter numbers reduce the mental load and chances of dialing errors. Additionally, 8-digit numbers are often easier to display on marketing material, business cards, and digital interfaces.
From a technical perspective, the 8-digit system remains highly scalable. For example, with just 8 digits, a country can technically assign up to 100 million unique numbers (from 00000000 to 99999999), which is more than enough for countries with smaller populations.
Also, with the increasing use of VoIP, mobile number portability, and number masking services, having a manageable number length without compromising on capacity is both practical and future-proof for these nations.