Are you planning a trip to the United States from the United Kingdom? If so, you’ll need to know how to dial to America from the UK. It’s not as difficult as you might think, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First, you’ll need to know the country code for the United States. The country code for the United States is 1. Once you have the country code, you’ll need to dial the area code for the city you’re calling. The area code is a three-digit number that identifies the geographic location of the city. You can find the area code for any city in the United States by using an online search engine or by checking a phone book. Finally, you’ll need to dial the seven-digit phone number of the person you’re calling.
Once you have all of the necessary information, you can dial the number by following these steps:
1. Dial the international access code for the United Kingdom, which is 00.
2. Dial the country code for the United States, which is 1.
3. Dial the area code for the city you’re calling.
4. Dial the seven-digit phone number of the person you’re calling.
For example, if you’re calling someone in New York City, you would dial 00 1 212 555-1212.
Dialing to America from the UK: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding Dialing Codes
To make a phone call to America from the UK, you’ll need to use the correct dialing code. The international dialing code for America is +1. This code must be used before the American phone number you wish to dial.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to dial to America from the UK:
Step 1: Dial the Exit Code
The exit code for the UK is 00. This code tells the phone system that you are making an international call.
Step 2: Dial the Country Code
After dialing the exit code, enter the country code for America, which is +1.
Step 3: Dial the Area Code
Next, dial the area code of the American city or region you are calling. This is a three-digit number that identifies a specific geographical area within the United States.
Step 4: Dial the Phone Number
Finally, enter the seven-digit phone number of the person or business you wish to reach.
Example:
To call a phone number in New York City (area code 212), dial:
00 +1 212 XXX-XXXX
Note:
You may need to drop the initial "0" from the area code when dialing from a mobile phone. For example, instead of dialing 0212, you would dial 212.
Additional Tips
- When calling to America from the UK, it’s important to use the +1 country code, even if you are dialing a landline.
- If you are calling a toll-free number in America, dial 001 before the phone number.
- Be aware that international calls may incur additional charges from your phone service provider.
- If you are having trouble dialing to America, contact your phone service provider for assistance.
Understanding the Area Codes and Number Format
In the UK, area codes are known as “STD codes” (Subscriber Trunk Dialling codes). These codes identify the geographic location of the landline number. The STD code for calling from the UK to America is 001.
America’s Number Format
American phone numbers consist of 10 digits, including the area code. The format is as follows:
1. Area code (3 digits)
2. Exchange code (3 digits)
3. Subscriber number (4 digits)
The area code identifies the geographic region, the exchange code identifies the specific telephone exchange, and the subscriber number identifies the individual phone line.
To dial a US number from the UK, you must first dial the international access code (00), followed by the area code (1 for the US), and then the remaining 7 digits of the phone number.
For example, to call the number (212) 555-1212 in New York City, you would dial 001 212 555 1212 from the UK.
| Dialing from the UK | To call in the USA |
|---|---|
| 00 | International access code |
| 1 | Country code for the USA |
| (Area code) | 3-digit area code |
| (Exchange code) | 3-digit exchange code |
| (Subscriber number) | 4-digit subscriber number |
Inserting the Country Code for the United States
The first step in dialing to America from the UK is to insert the country code. The country code for the United States is 1. You must dial this code before the rest of the phone number. For example, if you are dialing a landline in New York City, you would dial 1-212-555-1212.
Here are some additional tips for dialing to the United States from the UK:
Using a landline
To dial to the US, you will typically need to dial the following sequence of numbers:
- 00 – This is the international access code for the UK.
- 1 – This is the country code for the US.
- Area code – This is the three-digit code for the area in the US that you are calling.
- Local number – This is the seven-digit local phone number.
For example, to dial a landline in New York City, you would dial:
00 1 212 555 1212
Using a mobile phone
To dial to the US from a mobile phone, you may need to use a slightly different sequence of numbers. The following steps will typically work:
- Dial the + symbol.
- Dial the country code for the US, which is 1.
- Dial the area code for the area in the US that you are calling.
- Dial the local phone number.
For example, to dial a mobile phone in New York City, you would dial:
+1 212 555 1212
Using a VoIP service
If you are using a VoIP service to make calls to the US, you may need to use a slightly different sequence of numbers. The specific sequence of numbers will vary depending on the VoIP service that you are using. However, the following steps will typically work:
- Dial the access number for the VoIP service.
- Dial the country code for the US, which is 1.
- Dial the area code for the area in the US that you are calling.
- Dial the local phone number.
For example, to dial a landline in New York City using a VoIP service, you might dial:
0033 1 212 555 1212
Entering the Area Code and Phone Number
Once you have dialed the exit code, you will need to enter the area code and phone number of the person you are calling. These numbers together are called the subscriber number. The area code is a three-digit number that identifies the geographic region where the phone number is located. The phone number is a seven-digit number that identifies the specific telephone line.
Area Codes for Major US Cities
| City | Area Code |
|---|---|
| New York City | 212, 213, 347, 646, 718, 917 |
| Los Angeles | 213, 310, 323, 424, 562, 626, 747 |
| Chicago | 312, 773, 847, 872 |
| Houston | 281, 346, 713, 832 |
| San Francisco | 415, 510, 925 |
To dial a US phone number from the UK, you will need to enter the following in order:
1. The exit code for the UK (00)
2. The country code for the US (1)
3. The area code (three digits)
4. The phone number (seven digits)
For example, to dial a phone number in New York City, you would dial: 00 1 212 123-4567
Specific Dialing Sequence and Example
To dial a number in America from the UK, follow these steps:
- Dial the international access code for the UK: 00
- Dial the country code for the United States: 1
- Dial the area code for the city or region you are calling
- Dial the local phone number
For example, to call a landline in New York City, you would dial: 00 1 212 555 1212.
| Country | Country Code |
|---|---|
| United States | 1 |
| United Kingdom | 44 |
Additional Information
When making a call from the UK to the US, you may need to dial an additional digit or two, depending on your phone carrier. Some carriers require you to dial a “1” before the area code, while others require you to dial a “9” or “10.” If you are unsure which number to dial, check with your phone carrier.
You can also use a calling card or a VoIP service to call the US from the UK. Calling cards can be purchased from a variety of retail stores and can offer significant savings on international calls. VoIP services allow you to make calls over the internet, which can be even more affordable than calling cards.
Alternate Dialing Methods
Using an International Calling Card
Purchase an international calling card from a provider such as BT, Lebara, or One World Telecommunications. Dial the access number provided by the card, followed by the international code (00), the country code (1 for the US), and then the area code and phone number.
Using a VoIP Service
Sign up for a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber. Install the corresponding app on your device and create an account. To call the US, dial the access number provided by the service, followed by the international code (00), the country code (1), and then the area code and phone number.
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Connect to a VPN server located in the US. This will assign you a US IP address, making it appear as if you are calling from within the United States. Dial the international code (00), the country code (1), and then the area code and phone number.
Dialing from a Landline
Dial the international code (00), followed by the country code (1), then the area code, and finally the phone number.
Dialing from a Mobile Phone
Check with your mobile carrier to see if they offer international calling plans. If so, you may need to activate the plan before dialing the US. Dial the international code (00), followed by the country code (1), then the area code, and finally the phone number.
Dialing from a Public Phone
Look for a public phone that accepts international calls. Dial the international code (00), followed by the country code (1), then the area code, and finally the phone number. You may need to insert a phone card or pay a surcharge to make the call.
Other Methods
- GlobalTalk: A prepaid calling card service that offers low rates for international calls.
- TollFreeForwarding: A service that allows you to rent a US phone number and forward calls to your UK number.
- Phonebooth: A mobile app that lets you make international calls from your smartphone using Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Troubleshooting Dialing Errors
If you encounter difficulties while dialing, try the following:
9. Double-Check Country Codes
Country codes are crucial for connecting to international numbers. Ensure you are dialing the correct code. For the United States, the country code is +1. If you see a number beginning with 011, dial +1 instead. Refer to the table below for additional examples:
| Country | Country Code |
|---|---|
| United States | +1 |
| United Kingdom | +44 |
| Canada | +1 |
| Mexico | +52 |
| India | +91 |
Incorrect country codes can result in your call not connecting or being redirected to the wrong location.
Utilizing VoIP or Internet-Based Calling
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services allow you to make phone calls over the internet using specialized apps or software. This option often provides substantial cost savings compared to traditional telephone services.
Here’s how to use VoIP to call the US from the UK:
App-Based Calling:
Install a VoIP app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Examples include Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, and Google Duo.
Create an account and add contacts. You can search for contacts by name, phone number, or email address.
Make a call by tapping or selecting the contact’s name and initiating a call.
Software-Based Calling:
Download and install VoIP software on your computer. Popular options include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Cisco Webex.
Sign up for an account and add contacts. You can import contacts from your address book or add them manually.
Initiate a call by selecting the contact and clicking the “Call” button.
Pay-As-You-Go Services:
Certain VoIP providers offer pay-as-you-go services that allow you to make calls without a subscription.
| Provider | Rates |
|---|---|
| Rebtel | £0.02/min to the US |
| VoIPWise | £0.015/min to the US |
| DialPad | £0.02/min to the US |
To use these services, you need to purchase credits or use a prepaid calling card. Follow the provider’s instructions for dialing and billing.
How to Dial to America from the UK
To call the United States from the United Kingdom, you will need to follow these steps:
- Dial the international access code for the UK, which is 00.
- Dial the country code for the United States, which is 1.
- Dial the appropriate area code for the city in the United States you are calling.
- Dial the local phone number.
For example, to call the number 123-456-7890 in New York City, you would dial 0012121234567890.
People Also Ask
How many digits is an American phone number?
An American phone number consists of 10 digits.
What is the international access code for the UK?
The international access code for the UK is 00.
What is the country code for the United States?
The country code for the United States is 1.
