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What is the calling code for the United States? Making your phone call
To call someone in the US, you’ll probably want to use your phone. If you’re not sure about international dialing, area codes, or communication options, read on. This post is your guide for making calls to the US.
How do I call the US?
The US has its own international country code, as does every other country. When you dial it, you’re signifying that you’re calling into the States from abroad. In the US, phone numbers are constructed with a 3-digital area code, followed by a 7-digit local number.
To dial abroad to the US, you’d use the following international country code:
- +1
Are there other codes in the US I need to be aware of?
Unlike some other countries, the US doesn’t have other codes to remember when trying to dial internationally to or from the US. Just remember to add your county’s international dialing prefix (+) and then press 1 before the call. If you are calling within the US to another number in your same area you, you don’t need to dial 1 before the call.
Most common dialing codes in the US
Each city in the US has one or more area codes for all the numbers in that region. Below are some of the most popular:
| Area | Local Area Code in the US |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 213, 323, 661, 310, 424 |
| Chicago, IL | 773, 312, 872 |
| New York, NY | 917, 212, 718, 347, 929 |
| Miami, FL | 305, 786 |
| Detroit, MI | 313 |
| Dallas/Fort Worth, TX | 214, 469, 972 |
| Washington, DC | 202 |
| San Francisco, CA | 415, 628 |
| Boston, MA | 617, 508 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 215, 267 |
| Seattle, WA | 206 |
An example of a US phone number
To call an American phone number, here’s what it looks like if you’re calling from inside of the US:
- (area code) – (phone number) or (XXX)- XXX - XXXX
If you’re calling from abroad, it’s a different process. If you call the UK Embassy in Washington, DC, for example, the local number is (202) 588-6500. To call the embassy from the UK, you’d dial:
- 00 - the exit code to dial outside the States
- 1 - the US country code
- 202 - the local DC area code
- 588-6500 - the rest of the embassy’s number
So if you see (2020 588-6500), you’d dial 00-1-202-588-6500.
Why did my call to the US not work?
There are a few reasons that your call may not have gone through, including:
- You forgot to use the exit code to dial out of your country
- You don’t have the correct area code
- You’re calling a mobile phone that doesn’t accept international calls
- You forgot to dial the +1 before you entered the number
It’s probably more common for people to make calls using online platforms like Ringo, Whatsapp, Viber, or Skype. The US is rife with reliable wifi, so it’s probably just as convenient, if not more, to use one of these options to connect with someone.
Do phone numbers in the US usually have voicemail boxes?
Whether it’s a landline or a mobile phone, most every number in the US is attached to a voicemail. Most people will choose to have a personalised message directing the caller to leave a message.
What does the ringing tone sound like when you call the US?
The most common phone tones that you might hear are:
- The dial tone - a standard dial tone that’s similar to other country dial tones.
- The busy signal - a repeated beep tone that lets you know that the phone you’re calling is engaged or off the hook
- The unobtainable message - a standard notification that tells you the number you’re calling cannot be reached
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Until you’ve had some experience doing it, placing international phone calls can seem over-complicated. But with this guide in hand, you should know what to expect and be better prepared for making your first international call to the US. Good luck with your call!
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This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
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