How to Dial a Rotary Phone

Rotary phones are a style of telephones that were largely replaced by punch-button telephones and later by mobile and smart phones. Even though they have become obsolete, you still may encounter rotary phones in certain situations like...

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Rotary with a Phone Cradle Dial

How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 1

Remove the handset from the cradle.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 2
Place the handset to your ear and listen for a dial tone. The dial tone should be a mid-ranged, constant pitch.
1. If you do not hear a dial tone, something is wrong. 3 Ways to Diagnose Landline Phone Problems
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 3

Place your finger on the first number you wish to dial. Each number has a corresponding hole that will allow you to place your finger in to begin dialing that number.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 4

Rotate the dial clockwise until your finger touches the metal stop.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 5

Remove your finger from the opening. This will allow the dial to return to its original position.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 6

Find your second number and repeat steps three through five. Do this for the remaining numbers.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 7

Return the phone to the cradle when you are finished with your conversation.

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Rotary Phone with a Handset Dial

How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 8

Remove the handset from the cradle.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 9
Listen for a dial tone. The dial tone should be a mid-ranged, constant pitch.
1. If you do not hear a dial tone, something is wrong. 3 Ways to Diagnose Landline Phone Problems
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 10

Hold the handset with the dial up. The dial is located between the earpiece and mouthpiece of the phone.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 11

Place your finger on the first number you wish to dial. Each number has a corresponding hole that will allow you to place your finger in to begin dialing that number.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 12

Rotate the dial clockwise. Push through the metal stop until both the metal stop and the dial no longer move.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 13

Remove your finger from the opening. This will allow the dial and the metal stop to return to their original positions.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 14

Find your second number and repeat steps four through six. Do this for the remaining numbers.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 15

Return the phone to the cradle when you are finished with your conversation.

Method 3 of 3:

If the Dial is Missing or Broken

How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 16

Remove the handset from the cradle. Notice the two prongs that rise from the cradle of the phone when the handset is removed. Sometimes you will find a rotary phone that still works, but has a missing or broken dial. Pressing these two prongs down simultaneously is what will allow you to dial the phone despite the damage.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 17
Listen for a dial tone. The dial tone should be a mid-ranged, constant pitch.
1. If you do not hear a dial tone, something is wrong. 3 Ways to Diagnose Landline Phone Problems
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 18

Press both prongs down simultaneously to dial stop the dial tone. Releasing the prongs should bring back the dial tone.
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 19
Dial the first number of the phone number by pressing down on the prongs simultaneously. To dial a 4 you would rapidly press the prongs down four times.
1. To dial 0, press the prongs down rapidly ten times
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Pause briefly.
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Repeat steps four and five until you have dialed all the numbers in the phone number
How to Dial a Rotary Phone Picture 22

Return the phone to the cradle when you are finished with your conversation.

dial phone number tone

Lesley Montoya

Update 24 March 2020

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