By Moe Long

Last updated 30 November 2023

Do you know your own phone number? Although that might sound like a silly question, it's a commonly searched-for term. Our research discovered that "what is my phone number" receives 36,000 monthly searches according to data from SEMRush, a search engine optimization (SEO) suite.

WhistleOut was curious about phone number memorization. We polled 425 Americans in the 16-and-up age group to learn more about whether people knew their own digits or those of friends and family members. Read on to learn our findings!

21% Admit to Googling "What's My Own Phone Number"

Google Search What's My Own Phone Number

With 36,000 monthly searches from folks looking up their own digits, we set out to discover more trends in phone number memorization. Out of our 425 respondents, 1 in 5 (or 21%) Googled "what's my own phone number" in the past. In all fairness, it's uncommon to call yourself, although giving out your digits happens more regularly.

Furthermore, just 49.4% of respondents have 2-5 phone numbers committed to memory from their favorites. People 55 and older remain most likely to memorize phone numbers. Our guess: younger demographics that grew up in the cell phone era rely mainly on their phone's contact list for calling and texting.

Breakdown by age group of people with 2-5 numbers memorized from their favorites:

7.15% in the age range 18-24
9.7% in the age range 25-34
8.24% in the age range 35-44
6.59% in the age range 45-54
17.2% in the age range 55-85

Less than 20% of poll respondents memorized more than six numbers. Granted, when you have numbers saved in your phone or a Google search away, why bother wasting precious gray matter on them?

Memorizing emergency contacts isn’t common either, since 27.6% of people don't know them by heart. And nearly half (45%) of folks don't think this is an issue. Perhaps some people interpreted this as an emergency contact for themselves to call, while others deemed this an emergency contact in case of a workplace or rec basketball league accident. Overall, the ease of saving or looking up numbers seems to negate the importance of memorizing them—even one's own.

What's My Own Phone Number? Here's How to Find Out

What's My Phone Number - How to Find Your Phone Number

Did you forget your own phone number? Whether you're on a date and your nerves got the better of you or you've gotten a new set of digits, here are the best ways to find your own number.

Ask a Friend: Probably the quickest method for finding your own phone number is to simply call a friend or family member and ask them to read out the number from their caller ID. Alternatively, send someone a text message. We recommend reaching out to someone that won't laugh at you for a spot of forgetfulness.
Check Settings on iPhone: Apple users, navigate to Settings > Phone > My Number.
Check Settings on Android: Most Android devices let you look up your phone number by heading to Settings > About phone/device > Status/SIM status/phone identity > Network.
Inspect your SIM card: Often, on Android handsets and iPhones, your SIM card features a listing for your own cell phone number. Look for an entry such as "My Number," or "Me" in your contacts list. If you've still got your SIM card packaging, your cell phone number may be listed there.
Check your carrier account portal: You can typically find your own phone number by logging into your carrier's account portal (MyBell, MyRogers, My TELUS).
Review your billing statement: Usually, your monthly billing statement lists your phone number and other personal information.
Use apps or online services: Open up the aptly named website What is My Number on your mobile device and click Detect Now. Alternatively, What is My Number offers Android, iOS, Chrome, and Windows companion apps.
Visit a store: Typically, your mobile service provider values customer service. Pop into a brick-and-mortar store for your carrier for help finding your phone number.

Finding your own phone number: Final thoughts

Ultimately, it's clear that memorizing phone numbers—even your own—isn't essential. The ease with which people can save numbers to a contacts list or just look them up makes it a non-issue. In the dark ages of landlines, remembering the digits of friends, family, and your favorite pizza joint was crucial. But now, we can simply utilize the technology quite literally at our fingertips to find the numbers we need.

Certain situations, such as upgrading to a new mobile phone plan or upgrading Android and iOS devices, might foster a situation where you'll need to look up numbers regularly. But at least it's simple enough to find your phone number, whether in your phone's settings or by calling a friend.

Best cell phone plans

Maybe you're looking for a new cell phone plan while you're searching for your own phone number. Luckily, we've got you covered with the best cell phone plans on the market. Our favorite unlimited plans come from Telus, Bell, and Freedom Mobile. Check out the most popular phone plans below:

#1	Fido	Fido $15 Basic Plan with 100 Minutes + 250MB 250MB data $15/mth Go	$15/mth	Go
#2	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $34 Unlimited Canada-US Talk + Text + 50GB 50GB at 5G full speeds up to 250Mbps Deal: Get $1.70/mo. in points value with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $34 + $10 Upfront Go	$34 + $10 Upfront	Go
#3	Freedom Mobile	Freedom Mobile $50 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan Unlimited 100GB full-speed data at 5G Deal: Student Deal! Get $10/mo. off for 24 months when you activate on $50/mo. plan after Digital Discount $50/mth + $45 Upfront Go	$50/mth + $45 Upfront	Go
#4	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $29 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 40GB 40GB at 4G speeds up to 100Mbps Deal: Get $1.45/mo. with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $29 + $10 Upfront Go	$29 + $10 Upfront	Go
#5	Bell	Bell Monthly $30 Prepaid Voice and 5GB Data 10GB at 4G speeds up to 150Mbps Deal: Get 5GB bonus data with Automatic monthly top-up options $30 Per 1 Month Top-up + $10 Upfront Go	$30 Per 1 Month Top-up + $10 Upfront	Go

Best cell phones

In addition to seeking your own cell phone number, you might want a new phone. And let's be real, who doesn't want a fresh handset? Some of the best iPhones include the iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14, and iPhone SE 3rd gen (2022). The best Android phones are the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Google Pixel 7 Pro, OnePlus 11, and Google Pixel 7a.

Methodology

We conducted a survey of 425 Americans 16 years and older with a margin of +/- 5% error at a confidence level of 95%. The results of the survey were weighted to reflect characteristics of the United States' population using available data from the U.S. census.