How to Call a Number With Letters? Steps for iPhone & Android

Each number on the phone keypad 2 to 9 maps to a specific set of letters. For instance, ‘2’ corresponds to ‘abc’ and ‘3’ corresponds to ‘def’. This mapping is recognized universally and is the basis for dialing numbers with letters.

To call a number with letters on an iPhone, simply enter the corresponding numbers on the keypad using the standard letter-to-number mapping (e.g., FLOWERS = 3569377) and hit the dial button.

In addition to dialing directly through your dialpad, you can also use the “Notepad” app or your phone’s digital assistant - Siri to dial a phone number with letters on iPhones.

Here’s how to enter letters on a phone keypad for calls:

1. Open Your Phone App: Tap the dialer icon to open the keypad.

2. Convert the Letters to Numbers: Convert the letters in the vanity phone number to their corresponding digits.

   For example: For 1-800-PLUMBER, convert:
   P = 7, L = 5, U = 8, M = 6, B = 2, E = 3, R = 7
   So, 1-800-PLUMBER becomes 1-800-758-6237.

3. Dial the Number: Type the converted number into the dialer.
4. Call: Hit the 'Call' button to connect.

Here’s how to call a number with letters with the help of Notes on your device:

1. Open Notes: Go to your Notes app or any other application where you can type.
2. Type the Number: Write the vanity number with letters as it appears (e.g., 212-LAWYER).
3. Copy the Number: Select the phone number and copy it.
4. Paste in the Dialer: Open your phone’s dialer and paste the number. Your phone will automatically convert the letters to numbers.
5. Press Call: Tap the Call icon.

Here’s how you call numbers with letters using your phone’s digital assistant:

1. Access Your Digital Assistant: Say "Hey Siri" to activate Siri.
2. Ask Siri to Call the Number: Once the assistant is activated, say "Call 1-800-FLOWERS".
3. Complete the Call: Your online assistant will place the call for you.

When dialing a phone number with letters, common mistakes include mixing up letters that look or sound similar, misinterpreting the standard letter-to-number mapping, or overlooking small details like spaces or special characters in the number.

1. Misinterpreting the Letters: Many people mistakenly assume that the letters correspond directly to their position in the alphabet (e.g., A = 1, B = 2). However, phone numbers typically use a standard alphanumeric mapping.
2. Overlooking Keypad Variation or a Customized Dialer App: Not all dialer apps or keypads are the same. Some may have a different layout or custom settings that do not follow the standard alphanumeric mapping. Double-check your device's keypad to ensure it matches the standard.
3. Using Special Characters or Spaces: Dashes and spaces in the toll-free numbers are used for visual clarity only. When dialing a phone number with letters, ignore them. For example, a number like 1-800-FLOWERS should be dialed as 18003569377.

Dialing a phone number with letters may initially seem confusing, but it’s not that difficult once you understand the letter-to-number mapping on your keypad. Plus, you can always use your Notes app to type out the number or even ask a voice assistant like Siri or Google for help.

Now that you know the trick, the next time you see a number like 1-800-PIZZA or 1-800-HELP, you know exactly what to do. Happy Calling!

Yes, you can dial phone numbers with letters on any phone, including mobile phones and landlines. Each letter corresponds to a specific number on the dialpad.

To dial letters on an Android phone, simply convert the letters into their corresponding digits based on the standard alphanumeric mapping (e.g., P = 7, L = 5). Then, enter the number into the dialer app and press the call button.