The clearest way to tell a caller or texter they have the wrong number is simply, “Sorry, you’ve got the wrong number.” Other natural options can sound more formal, friendlier, or more concise, depending on the situation.
Choose a Polite Response for the Situation
- Sorry, you’ve got the wrong number
- I’m afraid you have the wrong number
- I think you may have the wrong number
- You’ve reached the wrong person
- This isn’t their number
- There’s no one here by that name
- I think you’ve dialed the wrong number
- Sorry, I’m not the person you’re looking for
- This number doesn’t belong to them
- You may want to check the number and try again
How Each Version Sounds
Sorry, you’ve got the wrong number
The most natural all-purpose response for calls or texts. Example: Sorry, you’ve got the wrong number.
I’m afraid you have the wrong number
A polite, slightly more formal version. Example: I’m afraid you have the wrong number—I don’t know anyone by that name.
I think you may have the wrong number
Gentle wording when you are not completely certain. Example: I think you may have the wrong number; this is Sam’s phone.
You’ve reached the wrong person
Useful when the number may once have belonged to someone else or the caller is asking for a particular person. Example: You’ve reached the wrong person—there’s no Alex here.
This isn’t their number
Direct when the caller asks for a named person. Example: This isn’t their number, sorry.
There’s no one here by that name
Helpful when you want to clarify without sounding abrupt. Example: There’s no one here by that name, so I think the number is incorrect.
I think you’ve dialed the wrong number
Natural for a phone call rather than a text message. Example: I think you’ve dialed the wrong number.
Sorry, I’m not the person you’re looking for
Friendly and clear when the message is intended for somebody specific. Example: Sorry, I’m not the person you’re looking for.
This number doesn’t belong to them
Useful when someone keeps contacting you for the same previous owner or recipient. Example: This number doesn’t belong to them anymore.
You may want to check the number and try again
Polite and practical when you want to end the exchange helpfully. Example: You may want to check the number and try again.
For Repeated Wrong-Number Messages
If the same person or organization keeps contacting you, be more explicit: “This number does not belong to [name]. Please remove it from your records.” That is clearer than repeatedly saying only “wrong number.”