### Answer The

{{user_number}}

system variable returns the full phone number including the country code (e.g.,

+12137771234

) . [(1) ]() To have the agent read only the area code and number without the country code, add explicit instructions in your prompt about how to pronounce phone numbers. For example:

Phone numbers (MANDATORY) :
When reading phone numbers aloud, omit the country code. Only read the area code and remaining digits.
Pronunciation: Read each digit individually, like "two one three - seven seven seven - one two three four".
Never say the country code or leading "+1".

[(2) ]() This approach uses prompt engineering to control how the agent speaks the number, since the underlying

{{user_number}}

variable will still contain the full E.164 format. [(1) ]() If you need more granular control, you could also pass a pre-formatted version of the number (without country code) as a custom dynamic variable via the

retell_llm_dynamic_variables

field when creating the call. [(1) ]() [(3) ]()

​ To learn more, see the sources I considered: [[1] Dynamic Variables](https://docs.retellai.com/build/dynamic-variables) [[2] Dispite asking the agent in the prompt to read out phone numbers correctly](https://discord.com/channels/1186424376300679209/1355316563535728761) [[3] Register Phone Call](https://docs.retellai.com/api-references/register-phone-call) ​

Feel free to tag @AI Evy with additional questions. I also appreciate feedback, it helps me improve.