How to Dial America from England: A Comprehensive Guide

Ever tried calling your cousin in California only to be met with an error message and a growing sense of frustration? Making international calls, especially from England to the USA, can seem like navigating a complex maze of codes and procedures. Getting it wrong can lead to failed calls, wasted time, and unnecessary charges.

Whether you’re calling family, friends, or business contacts, knowing the proper dialing sequence is crucial for seamless communication. Incorrect dialing can not only be inconvenient but also hinder important conversations and potentially damage professional relationships. By understanding the simple steps involved, you can avoid these pitfalls and connect effortlessly across the Atlantic.

What Area Codes Do I Need and When Do I Dial an Exit Code?

What is the US country code?

The US country code is +1. When dialing America from England, you’ll need to use this code as the first step in connecting your call.

To dial a US number from England, you first dial the international access code, which is 00 (or + if using a mobile phone). Then, you enter the US country code, which is +1. Following the +1, you input the three-digit area code of the recipient’s location in the US, and finally, you enter the seven-digit local phone number. For example, if you were calling a number in the 212 area code (New York City), the full sequence would be 00-1-212 followed by the seven-digit number. Understanding this sequence is crucial for successfully placing international calls. Skipping the country code or using the wrong one will prevent your call from connecting. Similarly, ensure you have the correct area code, as area codes can change or new ones can be introduced. Double-checking the complete number before dialing can save you time and frustration.

Do I need to drop the leading zero from the UK number?

Yes, when calling a UK number from the United States (or any country outside the UK), you must drop the leading ‘0’ from the UK area code or mobile number. This is because the ‘0’ is a trunk prefix used for dialing within the UK itself.

Think of the leading ‘0’ as an instruction to the UK phone system, signaling that you’re making a call within the country. When dialing internationally, the international access code (011 from the US) and the UK country code (+44) already provide the necessary information for routing the call. Therefore, including the leading ‘0’ will confuse the system and likely result in your call not going through.

For example, if a UK mobile number is ‘07700 900000’, you would dial it from the US as ‘011 44 7700 900000’. Notice the ‘0’ in front of the ‘7700’ is removed. Always double-check the number you are dialing to ensure that you have correctly omitted the leading zero.

How does dialing a cell phone in the US differ?

Dialing a US cell phone from England requires adding specific prefixes and country codes that are not needed for local calls. Specifically, you must first dial the exit code for England (00), followed by the US country code (1), then the 10-digit US phone number (3-digit area code + 7-digit local number).

To elaborate, when dialing within England, you typically just dial the local number with its area code (assuming it’s a different area code than your own). However, when calling internationally, you need to indicate you’re making an international call by using an exit code. The exit code tells the phone network to route your call outside of the country. England uses “00” as its exit code. After the exit code, you need to dial the country code for the United States, which is “1.” This tells the phone network which country you are trying to reach. Finally, you dial the 10-digit US phone number. This includes the 3-digit area code, which identifies a specific region within the US, and the 7-digit local number. So, the complete dialing sequence would be: 00 + 1 + [10-digit US phone number]. For example, to call the US number (555) 123-4567, you would dial 0015551234567. Failing to include these prefixes and the country code will result in your call not connecting properly.

Will I be charged for calling the US from my mobile plan?

Yes, you will likely be charged for calling the US from your UK mobile plan, but the exact cost will depend on your specific plan and mobile provider. International calls are rarely included in standard mobile packages and are typically subject to separate charges.

Calling the US from the UK generally incurs international calling charges because it falls outside the scope of domestic or EU roaming allowances that may be included in your plan. These charges can vary significantly between providers and can be per-minute rates or bundled into international call add-ons. Before making the call, it’s crucial to check your mobile provider’s international calling rates to the US. This information is usually found on their website or by contacting customer service. Some providers offer international calling packs or add-ons that can significantly reduce the cost compared to standard per-minute rates, especially if you make frequent calls to the US. Alternatively, consider using alternative communication methods to potentially avoid or reduce charges. Many Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, like WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime, or Google Voice, allow you to make calls over a Wi-Fi or data connection. If the person you are calling in the US also uses the same service, calls between you can be free. Even if you call a US landline or mobile number through a VoIP service, the rates are often substantially lower than direct international calls from your mobile plan.

So there you have it – dialing the USA from England doesn’t have to be a headache! Hopefully, this guide has made things clear and you’re ready to connect with friends, family, or that important business contact across the pond. Thanks for reading, and feel free to pop back anytime you need a little help with international calling!