Communicating with individuals and businesses in the United States from abroad requires a fundamental understanding of the US phone number format and dialling procedures.
The country’s phone system is structured around specific area codes corresponding to different regions, facilitating efficient communication within the country.
When placing an international call to the United States, knowing the country code (+1) and the specific area code corresponding to the region you intend to reach is crucial.
This article will delve deeper into various aspects of calling to the USA, including:
- The format and structure of US phone numbers, covering the country code (+1), area codes, and the correct dialling codes for both landline and mobile numbers.
- Step-by-step instructions for initiating international calls to the US.
- Guidelines for sending mobile top-ups to the USA, enabling secure support on various US mobile networks.
Did it pique your interest? Let’s dive in without further ado.
How do you make a call to the USA using your Phone?
Like calling other countries from your phone, calling the USA from abroad follows a specific format.
When you dial, you connect to the country’s area code.
Follow these steps if you’re unsure how to write a US phone number or don’t know the US country code phone number format.
1. Obtain the International Exit Code for your country
The international exit code for your country is necessary to dial a US number from your landline or cell phone. Begin by entering the USA exit code before anything else.
To call the US from abroad, you can use either of these methods to dial the exit code:
- +1
- 001
2. Know the USA country code
What is the country code for US phone numbers? The USA country code is 1. This code enables you to call the US from outside the country.
A country code typically consists of 1 or 2 digits. You’ll need to dial the country code following the exit code. For instance, “001” + “1”.
3. Identify the correct area code
An area code is geographical and corresponds to a specific city. A three-digit area code identifies US phone numbers. Here’s the international code for a US phone number.
For example:
- Los Angeles area codes are 310 and 424.
- New York area codes include 347, 718, and 929.
4. Verify the local phone number
A US phone number prefix is typically seven digits long. Confirming the phone number online before dialling is advisable if you’re calling a business.
5. Understand the complete US phone number format with country code
The sequence of numbers should be country exit code -> +1 (US country code) -> area code -> 7-digit local phone number.
For instance, when calling New York City, the US phone number country code format will appear like this: 010 1 718 222 2222.
US Phone Number Format
In the United States, mobile phone numbers typically follow a specific format, including an area code and a local phone number.
Here’s how a US mobile phone number looks:
(Area Code) – Phone Number or (XXX) – XXX – XXXX
Example: (202) 555-1234
Calling from Within the US
When dialling a US mobile phone number from within the United States, you dial the complete 10-digit number, including the area code.
Example: (202) 555-1234
Calling from Abroad:
If you’re calling a US mobile phone number from outside the United States, follow these steps:
- Dial the International Exit Code
To initiate an international call, begin by dialling your country’s international exit code (often “00” or “+”).
- Add the US Country Code
After the international exit code, dial the US country code, i.e. 1.
- Include the Area Code and Local Phone Number
Append the US mobile number’s area code and local phone number (excluding parentheses or hyphens).
Example: To call a US mobile number like (202) 555-1234 from abroad, you would dial:
International Exit Code + US Country Code (1) + Area Code (202) + Local Phone Number (5551234)
Ensure you remove any spaces, parentheses, or hyphens when dialling the US mobile number from abroad.
By following these steps and using the correct international dialling sequence, you can successfully call US mobile phone numbers anywhere in the world.
Why did my call to the US not work?
If you’re experiencing issues with making a call to the US, there could be several reasons why the call did not go through:
1. Not using the exit code
Ensure you dialled the correct international exit code (or “+” on mobile devices) to initiate an international call from your country.
2. Incorrect area code
Verify that you have the correct area code for the region you are trying to reach within the United States. Using the wrong area code can result in a failed connection.
3. Calling a mobile phone that doesn’t accept International calls
Some mobile phone numbers in the US may not accept international calls due to restrictions or settings.
Confirm with the recipient if their phone can receive calls from international numbers.
4. Forgot to Dial +1
Remember to include the US country code (+1) before entering the area code and local phone number when calling the US from abroad. This is essential for international calls to the US.
Best Times to Call the United States
When calling the United States, it’s important to consider the time zone differences. The U.S. spans multiple time zones, and daylight saving time is observed in most regions. Here’s a quick guide to help you find the best times to call across various U.S. time zones:
Daylight Saving Time
In the U.S., daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. During this period, clocks are set forward by one hour.
Time Differences
The U.S. has several time zones. Here’s a breakdown:
- Eastern Time Zone (ET): UTC-5 during standard time, UTC-4 during daylight saving time.
- Central Time Zone (CT): UTC-6 during standard time, UTC-5 during daylight saving time.
- Mountain Time Zone (MT): UTC-7 during standard time, UTC-6 during daylight saving time.
- Pacific Time Zone (PT): UTC-8 during standard time, UTC-7 during daylight saving time.
Check the current local time in the U.S. before making a call to ensure you are calling at an appropriate hour.
Call the United States from Germany
| GERMANY TIME ZONE (CET/CEST) | US TIME ZONE | BEST TIME TO CALL (STANDARD TIME) |
|---|---|---|
| Central European Time (CET) | Eastern Time Zone (ET) | 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Central European Time (CET) | Central Time Zone (CT) | 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Central European Time (CET) | Mountain Time Zone (MT) | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Central European Time (CET) | Pacific Time Zone (PT) | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | Eastern Time Zone (ET) | 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | Central Time Zone (CT) | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | Mountain Time Zone (MT) | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | Pacific Time Zone (PT) | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Call the United States from France
| FRANCE TIME ZONE (CET/CEST) | US TIME ZONE | BEST TIME TO CALL (STANDARD TIME) |
|---|---|---|
| Central European Time (CET) | Eastern Time Zone (ET) | 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Central European Time (CET) | Central Time Zone (CT) | 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Central European Time (CET) | Mountain Time Zone (MT) | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Central European Time (CET) | Pacific Time Zone (PT) | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | Eastern Time Zone (ET) | 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | Central Time Zone (CT) | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | Mountain Time Zone (MT) | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | Pacific Time Zone (PT) | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Call the United States from the UK
| UK TIME ZONE (GMT/BST) | US TIME ZONE | BEST TIME TO CALL (STANDARD TIME) |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | Eastern Time Zone (ET) | 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | Central Time Zone (CT) | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | Mountain Time Zone (MT) | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | Pacific Time Zone (PT) | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| British Summer Time (BST) | Eastern Time Zone (ET) | 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| British Summer Time (BST) | Central Time Zone (CT) | 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| British Summer Time (BST) | Mountain Time Zone (MT) | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| British Summer Time (BST) | Pacific Time Zone (PT) | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
Call the United States from India
| INDIA TIME ZONE (IST) | US TIME ZONE | BEST TIME TO CALL (STANDARD TIME) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Standard Time (IST) | Eastern Time Zone (ET) | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Indian Standard Time (IST) | Central Time Zone (CT) | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Indian Standard Time (IST) | Mountain Time Zone (MT) | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Indian Standard Time (IST) | Pacific Time Zone (PT) | 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
What does the ringing tone sound like when you call the US?
When you call a phone number in the United States, you may encounter different tones depending on the status of the call. Here are the common phone tones you might hear:
Dial Tone
The dial tone in the US is a standard tone that indicates the phone line is open and ready for dialling. It sounds similar to dial tones in other countries, consisting of a steady tone.
Busy Signal
You’ll hear a busy signal if the phone you’re calling is engaged or off the hook. This repeated beep tone lets you know the line is currently in use and cannot accept incoming calls.
Unobtainable Message
If the number you’re calling cannot be reached (e.g., disconnected or out of service), you’ll hear a standard notification message informing you that the number is unobtainable or cannot be reached.
Understanding these tones helps you interpret call outcomes and take appropriate action, such as trying again later or verifying the number.
How many area codes are there in the United States?
It is crucial to have the US country code phone number format, which includes a three-digit area code.
The USA is divided into various regions, each with designated dialling areas known as area codes.
While some states have only one or two area codes, others have dozens.
Below, we’ve listed all the area codes across different regions of the US:
Northeast USA Area Codes
The Northeast US comprises nine states, and here are the major area codes for these regions.
| State | Area Codes |
| Connecticut | 203, 860, 475, 959 |
| Maine | 207 |
| Massachusetts | 339, 351, 413, 617, 508, 774, 781, 857, 978 |
| New Hampshire | 603 |
| New Jersey | 201, 551, 609, 640, 732, 848, 856, 862, 908, 973 |
| New York | 212, 315, 332, 347, 516, 518, 585, 607, 631, 646, 680, 716, 718, 838, 845, 914, 917, 929, 934 |
| Rhode Island | 401 |
| Pennsylvania | 215, 223, 267, 272, 412, 484, 610, 717, 724, 814, 878 |
| Vermont | 802 |
Midwest USA Area Codes
The Midwest US includes twelve states, and here are the major area codes for these regions.
| Midwest States | Area Codes |
| Illinois | 217, 224, 309, 312, 331, 630, 618, 708, 773, 779, 815, 847, 872 |
| Indiana | 219, 260, 317, 765, 574, 812, 930 |
| Iowa | 319, 515, 563, 641, 712 |
| Kansas | 316, 620, 785, 913 |
| Michigan | 231, 248, 269, 313, 586, 517, 616, 734, 810, 906, 947, 989, 679 |
| Minnesota | 218, 320, 507, 612, 651, 763, 952 |
| Missouri | 314, 417, 573, 636, 660, 816 |
| Nebraska | 308, 402, 531 |
| North Dakota | 701 |
| Ohio | 216, 234, 326, 330, 380, 419, 440, 513, 567, 614, 740, 937, 220 |
| South Dakota | 605 |
| Wisconsin | 262, 414, 608, 534, 715, 920, 274 |
Southern USA Area Codes
The Southern US consists of sixteen states, and here are the major area codes for these regions.
| State | Area Codes |
| Alabama | 205, 251, 256, 334, 938 |
| Arkansas | 479, 501, 870 |
| Delaware | 302 |
| Florida | 239, 305, 321, 352, 386, 407, 686, 561, 727, 754, 772, 786, 813, 850, 863, 904, 941, 954 |
| Georgia | 229, 404, 470, 478, 678, 706, 762, 770, 912 |
| Kentucky | 270, 364, 606, 502, 859 |
| Louisiana | 225, 318, 337, 504, 985 |
| Maryland | 240, 301, 410, 443, 667 |
| Mississippi | 228, 601, 662, 769 |
| North Carolina | 252, 336, 704, 743, 828, 910, 919, 980, 984 |
| Oklahoma | 405, 580, 918, 539 |
| South Carolina | 803, 843, 854, 864 |
| Tennessee | 423, 615, 629, 731, 865, 901, 931 |
| Texas | 210, 214, 254, 325, 281, 346, 361, 409, 430, 432, 469, 512, 682, 713, 726, 737, 806, 817, 830, 832, 903, 915, 936, 940, 956, 972, 979 |
| Virginia | 276, 434, 540, 571, 703, 757, 804 |
| West Virginia | 304, 681 |
Western USA Area Codes
The Western US comprises thirteen states, and here are the major area codes for these regions.
| State | Area Codes |
| Alaska | 907 |
| Arizona | 479, 501, 870 |
| California | 209, 213, 279, 310, 323, 341, 408, 415, 424, 442, 510, 530, 559, 562, 619, 626, 628, 650, 657, 661, 669, 707, 714, 747, 760, 805, 818, 820, 831, 858, 909, 916, 925, 949, 951 |
| Colorado | 303, 719, 720, 970 |
| Hawaii | 808 |
| Idaho | 208, 986 |
| Montana | 406 |
| Nevada | 702, 725, 775 |
| New Mexico | 505, 575 |
| Oregon | 503, 541, 971, 458 |
| Utah | 435, 801, 385 |
| Washington | 206, 253, 360, 425, 509, 564 |
| Wyoming | 307 |
The United States has 335 area codes spread across different states and regions to facilitate efficient communication.
Are there other codes in the US I need to be aware of?
In contrast to other countries, the US does not require additional dialling codes.
Use your country’s international dialling prefix (+) followed by the US country code (1) before dialling the area code and local number.
You do not need to dial one before making domestic calls within the US to another number in your area.
This streamlined approach simplifies dialling when calling to or within the United States.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, knowing the US phone number format, including the country code (+1) and specific area codes, is paramount for successful international calls to the United States.
You can efficiently connect with contacts nationwide by following the prescribed dialling sequence—international exit code, US country code, area code, and local phone number.
Mastering these basics ensures clear communication and fosters seamless connections globally. With over 335 area codes covering diverse regions, effective communication across the United States is just a dial away.
FAQs
What are the two/three-letter country codes for the United States?
- The two-letter country code is US.
- The three-letter country code is USA.
Which country has the dialing code +01?
- The dialing code +1 is used by the United States and several other countries in the North American Numbering Plan, including Canada and some Caribbean nations.
How many digits does a phone number from the United States typically have?
- A phone number in the United States typically has 10 digits: a 3-digit area code followed by a 7-digit local phone number.
What is the international dialing format of a phone number from the United States?
The international dialing format for a US phone number is: +1 (area code) (local number).
Do US phone numbers have voicemail boxes?
Yes, US phone numbers often have voicemail boxes.
Although other communication methods like texting have become more popular, voicemail is still used for leaving messages, especially when receiving calls from unfamiliar numbers.
