In a phone number, a comma (,) signifies a short pause (typically 2 seconds) before the phone automatically dials the next set of digits, which is extremely useful for navigating automated systems or entering extensions, allowing you to save numbers like 1-800-555-1212,,1234 to dial the main number and then automatically dial the extension 1234 after a brief wait. Multiple commas (,,,) create longer pauses, and a semicolon (;) indicates a "wait" where the user manually taps to continue dialing.
Each comma entered creates a short pause in the dialing sequence. You can use multiple commas to create longer pauses. For example, if you need to call 1-800-123-4567, then enter extension 901 when prompted to reach a specific department or person, you can enter "18001234567,,,901" on your cell phone.
It depends on the country: +61 is the country code for Australia, while +64 is the country code for New Zealand; you use the specific code for the country you're calling, dropping the leading '0' from the local number when dialing internationally.
In English, the comma is used as the thousand separator, while in other languages the comma is the decimal sign and a dot or a space is used as thousands separator. Other countries and cultures have different digit grouping habits. For example, in China and Japan, large numbers are read with groups of 10.000.
Mobile phones
Within Australia, mobile phone numbers begin with 04 – the Australian national trunk code 0, plus the mobile indicator 4 – followed by eight digits. This is generally written as 04XX XXX XXX within Australia, or as +61 4XX XXX XXX for an international audience.
You should provide the complete number, including the country code with no use of special characters or spaces. Just the number. For example, a phone number like +1-555-555-1212 should be formatted as 15555551212 .
No, +61 and 0011 are not the same; +61 is Australia's country code, while 0011 is Australia's international access code, meaning you dial 0011 before 61 (and the rest of the number) when calling from Australia, whereas you dial +61 (replacing the leading 0) when calling Australia from another country. The + symbol on mobile phones automatically acts as the international prefix (like Australia's 0011) for the country you're in.
Commas (Eight Basic Uses)
Writes numeric values with a comma that separates every three digits and a period that separates the decimal fraction.
In English, you can use commas in numbers of four digits or longer (i.e. numbers above 999) after every third digit from the right.
Both +61 and 0061 are used as the Australia country code. The main difference is that +61 is a universal format used on mobile phones, where the + automatically translates to the correct exit code for your location. The 0061 format is more specific to landlines, where 00 is the exit code for most of Europe.
The country calling code for New Zealand is +64. This code is a universal identifier that tells a phone network your call is destined for New Zealand. It must be dialled at the beginning of every New Zealand phone number when you're calling from another country.
Mobile numbers are generally used for mobile phone services. They have 10 digits and start with 04. Local rate numbers have one of the following: 10 digits that start with 1300.
In France, the full stop was already in use in printing to make Roman numerals more readable, so the comma was chosen. Many other countries, such as Italy, also chose to use the comma to mark the decimal units position. It has been made standard by the ISO for international blueprints.
In English, commas are used to separate parts of sentences. Use a comma to separate elements of a list, distinguish groups of words that go together, mark conjunctions between complete thoughts, and more.
In some situations, you may need to dial phone numbers that require pauses or waits, such as when navigating automated phone systems or entering extension numbers. To insert pause, tap the * on the iPhone keyboard until a comma appears. Each comma represents a 2-second pause.
Comma is the decimal mark and a period is used to separate larger numbers. 5,999 means “5 point 999” (in Norwegian we of course say “5 comma 999”) 5.999 is five thousand nine hundred and ninety nine.
The decimal separator is also called the radix character. Likewise, while the U.K. and U.S. use a comma to separate groups of thousands, many other countries use a period instead, and some countries separate thousands groups with a thin space.
The Five Most Common Mistakes
July 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The serial comma (also referred to as the series comma, Oxford comma, or Harvard comma) is a comma placed after the second-to-last term in a list (just before the conjunction) when writing out three or more terms.
For an Australian mobile number, you use +61 (the country code) followed by the 4 and the remaining 8 digits (e.g., +61 4XX XXX XXX) when calling from overseas, dropping the domestic leading '0'. Within Australia, mobile numbers start with '04' (e.g., 04XX XXX XXX). So, +61 replaces the leading '0', making it +61 followed by '4' and the rest of the number.
Here are just a few examples: 2124567890. 212-456-7890. (212)456-7890.
Block a number
Open your Phone app . Call history . Tap a call from the number you want to block. Tap Block / report spam.