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How to call the USA from the UK in the easiest way possible

Call the USA from the UK

If you run a business or have family overseas, you may need to get into the habit of calling the US from the UK every now and then. Of course, dialing a US number is a little more complicated than calling a local number. But that doesn’t mean it’s hard to do.

Here’s how to call people across the pond on landlines or mobile phones. Additionally, we’ll take a closer look at comparing time zones, average calling rates, and low-cost solutions for regular international calling.

How to call US cell phones and landlines from your UK phone provider

To reach the US from your UK landline or cell phone, you’ll need to key in the exit code, dial the country code, enter the area code, and fill in their phone number. Let’s take a closer look at each step.

1. Get your exit code

To call any number outside the UK, you’ll need to dial the correct exit code: From a landline, it’s 00, and from a mobile, use + before the country code.

2. Enter the country code

The entire US uses the same country code: 1.

3. Dial the area code

A US area code is a three-digit number that directs your call to the correct general area. The bad news: there are a lot of area codes in the United States. The good news? Your contact should supply this info for you.

4. Type in the rest of the phone number

All that’s left is to enter the rest of the phone number, and you’re set to call the US.

Here are examples of what your final numbers should look like: 

  • Calling New York from a UK mobile number: +1 (917) 555-4567 
  • Dialing New York from a UK landline number: 001 (917) 555-4567 

💡 Looking to call the UK from the United States? Check our guide on how to call the UK from the US.

What are the most popular area codes in the US? 

The most popular area codes in the US

There are approximately 335 area codes in the US. Let’s take a look at the most popular ones:

US CitiesArea Codes
New York City212, 332, 347, 646, 718, 917, 929
Los Angeles213, 310, 323, 424, 747, 818
Chicago312, 773, 872
Houston281, 346, 713, 832
Atlanta404, 470, 678, 770
Philadelphia215, 267, 445
Washington DC202
Las Vegas702
Miami305
San Francisco415

How to factor in time zone differences calling the USA from the UK

In the US, there are nine major time zones. For the purpose of this chart, we’ll assume you’re using Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in London and Northern Ireland.

  • Atlantic Standard Time (AST): People in this time zone are four hours behind you. 12 noon in London is 8 AM in AST.
  • Eastern Standard Time (EST): This time zone iIncludes cities such as New York City, which is five hours behind London time. 12 noon GMT is 7 AM EST.
  • Central Standard Time (CST): Cities in this time zone are six hours behind you (think 6 AM during your noon lunch).
  • Mountain Standard Time (MST): With a seven-hour difference, this time zone can be tricky to reach until late afternoon. Your 12 PM is equal to their 5 AM.
  • Pacific Standard Time (PST): If you’re trying to reach someone in California, understand that their days are eight hours behind you. 12 noon is 4 AM.
  • Alaskan Standard Time (AKST): In this time zone, you’ll be 9 hours ahead of Juneau, AK. Calling at 12 noon is 3 AM their time.
  • Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST): You guessed it: Hawaii is 10 hours behind the UK. 12 noon is 2 AM, which is a bit early for meetings.
  • Samoa Standard Time (UTC-11): At 11 hours behind the UK, those in Samoa probably won’t want your 12-noon phone call at 1 AM their time.
  • Chamorro Standard Time: This time zone contains the US territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. We know what you were thinking, and no: the answer is not 12 hours behind. In fact, Chamorro is actually 10 hours ahead of the UK. Your 12-noon call is their 10 PM.

As you can see, calling the US from the UK is simpler than it sounds. But keep in mind you will need to add in factors like daylight savings time.

Use a tool like Time and Date to get an accurate idea of the exact time you want to call the US from the UK.

How much does it cost to call the US from the UK?

The short answer is: it depends.

International calls have varying rates, depending on your service provider and calling plan. Even sending a text message could cost you, depending on the US number.

If you’re using a mobile provider or UK landline phone, chances are you’ll need to pay extra. This option could be included with your current plan or be an add-on you can purchase later.

If you want more accurate info about how much calling the US from the UK will cost, reach out to your mobile number provider. Want a better way to reach the US? OpenPhone’s got you covered.

How to call the USA from the UK without paying international fees

If you frequently call customers and clients in the US, consider using a VoIP app like OpenPhone. Through OpenPhone, you can call and text the US and Canada with a local US or Canadian number, starting at just $15 per user per month. Plus you can access your new number from your mobile device, which gives you two different numbers on the same phone

How to get a US number (Or Canadian) from the UK

 

Here’s how you can get a US number today from almost anywhere in the world, including the UK:

  1. Sign up for OpenPhone and select a US number, local Canadian number, or toll-free number. During the signup process, you’ll be asked to verify your account with your existing phone number. 

    Occasionally, due to compatibility issues with your current number, you may not be able to verify your number automatically.We can help you get started if that’s the case. Just reach out to our support team by filling out this form. 

  2. Access OpenPhone using our web, mobile, or desktop app 
  3. Call or text anyone in the US or Canada for free (all you need is an internet connection for WiFi calling). 

Once you’ve set up your US or Canadian number with OpenPhone, you’re ready to start calling or texting across North America. Now, let’s dive into the advanced features that can help you streamline communication and serve your US customers more effectively: 

  • Collaborate better with teammates. Shared phone numbers give team members access to all customer communications in one unified inbox, including voicemails, messages, calls, and customer recordings. This helps your team catch up on customer conversations without having to dig through different folders.
  • Send automatic responses to customers. You can set up custom auto-replies for after or during business hours when you aren’t available, which lets customers know when and how you’ll get back to them.
  • Save time with snippets. Instead of manually writing out every message, you can use templates to respond to commonly asked questions, which takes work off your plate. 
  • Never worry about forgetting to hit ‘record’ again. With OpenPhone, you can set up automatic call recording to ensure important calls are always recorded. Plus, you can store them for as long as your account is active, which is useful in case a legal dispute pops up.
  • Decide which reps can answer customer calls first. OpenPhone lets you create custom ring groups, which means you can choose the order reps receive customer calls. This gives you more control over who gets to solve customer issues.
  • Connect to the tools you already use to save time. With integrations for tools like HubSpot, Slack, and Zapier, you can sync important information and keep records up to date, reducing the need to switch between apps and streamlining workflows.

OpenPhone: The best way to call the USA from the UK

OpenPhone app

With OpenPhone, you can make cheap international calls from the United Kingdom in minutes, reaching clients and customers at the best time for their schedule (and yours). You can check out our rates page for a breakdown by the country you want to reach.

If you’re ready to give OpenPhone a test run, then try us free for seven days.

FAQs

How do I call the US from the UK for free?

You can call the US from the UK for free with OpenPhone. 

All you need to do is create an account and choose a local US or Canadian number. Then, when you use that phone number to call the US, you’ll have access to unlimited calls and texts.

What is the country code for the US — 011 or 001? 

The country code for the US is 1. To call the US from the UK using a landline, you need to dial the UK’s exit code, which is 00, followed by the US country code 1, or 001 altogether.

For reference, 011 is the exit code used when making international calls from the United States.

How do I text an American number from the UK?

You can text a US number from the UK using your mobile phone, but this can get costly, depending on your phone provider’s international texting rates. A better alternative is using a VoIP provider like OpenPhone. Once you sign up, you’ll get to send unlimited texts to and from US phone numbers for just $15 per user per month.

What is the correct format for dialing a US number from the UK?

The correct number format for dialing a US number from a UK landline is:

1. 00 (exit code) 
2. 1 (country code) 
3. 123 (area code) 
4. 456-9780 (phone number)

If you’re calling the US from the UK using a mobile phone instead of a landline, you would dial + instead of 00.

Is +1 the same as 011? 

No, +1 is not the same as 011. +1 is the exit code and country code you would dial when calling the US from a UK mobile phone.

011 is the international access (or exit) code you use when making international calls from the United States to other countries.

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