How to mark-up phone numbers?

Asked 2009-07-22T09:04:50.283

515

I want to mark up a phone number as callable link in an HTML document. I have read the microformats approach, and I know, that the tel: scheme would be standard, but is quite literally nowhere implemented.

Skype defines, as far as I know, skype: and callto:, the latter having gained some popularity. I assume, that other companies have either other schemes or jump on the callto: train.

What would be a best practice to mark-up a phone number, so that as many people as possible with VoIP software can just click on a link to get a call?

Bonus question: Does anyone know about complications with emergency numbers such as 911 in US or 110 in Germany?

Update: Microsoft NetMeeting takes callto: schemes under WinXP. This question suggests, that Microsoft Office Communicator will handle tel: schemes but not callto: ones. Great, Redmond!

Update 2: Two and a half years later now. It seems to boil down to what you want to do with the number. In mobile context, tel: is the way to go. Targeting desktops it's up to you, if you think your users are more Skype people (callto:) or will more likely have something like Google Voice (tel:) installed. My personal opinion is, when in doubt use tel: (in line with @Sidnicious' answer).

Update 3: User @rybo111 noted, that Skype in Chrome has meanwhile jumped on the tel: bandwagon. I cannot verify this, because no machine with both at hand, but if it's true, it means we have finally a winner here: tel:

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3 Answers

Mobile Safari (iPhone & iPod Touch) use the tel: scheme.

How do I dial a phone number from a webpage on iPhone?

answered 2009-07-22T09:20:21.330

this worked for me:

1.make a standards compliant link:

        <a href="tel:1500100900">

2.replace it when mobile browser is not detected, for skype:

$("a.phone")
    .each(function()
{ 
  this.href = this.href.replace(/^tel/, 
     "callto");
});

Selecting link to replace via class seems more efficient. Of course it works only on anchors with .phone class.

I have put it in function if( !isMobile() ) { ... so it triggers only when detects desktop browser. But this one is problably obsolete...

function isMobile() {
    return (
        ( navigator.userAgent.indexOf( "iPhone" ) > -1 ) ||
        ( navigator.userAgent.indexOf( "iPod" ) > -1 ) ||
        ( navigator.userAgent.indexOf( "iPad" ) > -1 ) ||
        ( navigator.userAgent.indexOf( "Android" ) > -1 ) ||
        ( navigator.userAgent.indexOf( "webOS" ) > -1 )
    );
}

answered 2013-06-04T14:38:31.813

I used tel: for my project.

It worked in Chrome, Firefox, IE9&8, Chrome mobile and the mobile Browser on my Sony Ericsson smartphone.

But callto: did not work in the mobile Browsers.

answered 2013-03-01T14:01:58.930

How to mark-up phone numbers?

3 Answers

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