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Dialing the United Kingdom from the US and other countries
Calling the UK is straightforward when you know your country's exit code and the UK’s country code, 44. You will also need the area or mobile code for the phone number you're reaching out to. Once you have all the necessary numbers, making an international call to England from any location becomes easy. Remember to account for time differences and available calling options to ensure a smooth connection.
Quick Overview
- Start by dialing your country’s exit code.
- Next, dial 44, the country code for the UK.
- Enter the area code for landline calls, or the mobile code for cell phones.
- Finally, dial the local phone number to complete the call.
Detailed Instructions
Calling an English Landline
Enter the exit code for your country. Dialing an exit code notifies your phone provider that you're making an international call. These codes differ from one country to another. Look it up online or consult your provider for the exit code specific to your location.
- For a helpful list of exit codes, refer to this guide for countries around the globe.
- In some countries, additional digits may be required. These extra digits are specific to your carrier and are added after the standard exit code. For instance, in Brazil, exit codes may appear as "0015" or "0021." Reach out to your provider for the exact code.
Enter the UK country code, "44". The correct country code ensures your call is directed to the UK. This code applies to all regions of the UK, including England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, ensuring proper routing of your call.
- For example, when calling from the US, you would dial 011-44-xxxx-xxxxxx.
Omit the 0 if it's the next digit in the number. When calling within the UK, a local or trunk code is necessary. The UK’s trunk code is 0, but when dialing internationally, this should be left out.
- If the UK phone number starts with a 0, simply skip that digit when calling from abroad, or your call may fail to connect.
Enter the area code for the city if you're dialing a landline. Every landline in the UK has an area code that corresponds to its geographic region. These codes vary in length, typically ranging from 2 to 5 digits, with larger cities using shorter codes. If you're unsure which code to use, you can search online for a comprehensive list of UK area codes.
- Identify the correct area code by knowing the region you're calling. A detailed list of codes is available on https://www.ofcom.org.uk/.
Enter the remaining digits of the subscriber's number. The rest of the digits correspond to the person’s local phone number. Most landline numbers in England consist of 10 digits, including the area code, so the length of the local number will vary depending on the length of the area code.
- For instance, if you’re calling a London landline from the US, you would dial 011-44-20-12345678.
Dialing a UK Mobile Number
Enter your country’s exit code. Dialing the exit code signals to your phone provider that you are placing an international call. Exit codes differ between countries. You can search for the code online or ask your provider for the code specific to your location.
- For a list of most exit codes worldwide, scroll to the bottom of this page.
- In some cases, you may need to input additional digits based on your carrier, which come after the exit code. For example, in Brazil, you may see exit codes like "0015" or "0021." Confirm with your provider for the correct code.
Enter the UK country code, "44". Dialing the proper country code ensures that your call is routed to the UK. This code applies to all regions within the UK, including England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, so you won’t face issues in reaching the right destination.
- For example, when calling from the US, you would dial 011-44-xxxx-xxxxxx.
Omit the 0 if it’s the next digit in the number. When dialing within England, a local or trunk code is used. The local code in England is 0, but you should leave it out when dialing from abroad.
- If the phone number you’re given starts with 0, skip that digit to ensure the call connects properly.
Dial the correct mobile code when calling a cell phone. Mobile phones in England do not follow the standard geographic area codes. Instead, they use various mobile prefixes that once indicated the carrier. However, since users can now keep their numbers when switching providers, it’s no longer a reliable method to identify the correct mobile code.
- You will need to ask the person you're calling for the mobile code, as there’s no other way to determine it unless directly provided.
- All mobile codes begin with 7, followed by three additional digits.
- For example, a mobile number could be dialed as 011-44-7xxx-xxxxxx
Input the rest of the phone number. The remaining digits are the local number of the person you’re calling. English mobile numbers typically have 10 digits, including the mobile code, with the remaining six digits forming the local number.
- For example, if calling an English mobile from the US, you would dial 011-44-7xxx-123456.
Making Calls Over the Internet
Use a free VoIP service. Several apps enable you to call other users for free, as long as both parties have accounts with the same app. These calls are free because you’re using the app to connect over the internet, not dialing a traditional phone number.
- Popular VoIP services include Skype, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger.
- Some VoIPs, like Skype, even support video calls.
Use a VoIP to call a landline or cell phone. VoIP services like Google Voice and Skype let you make calls to landlines and mobile phones internationally, although these services are not free. These apps charge a fee, but it’s often more affordable than traditional international calling methods on landlines or mobile phones.
- Google Voice allows you to pay by the minute. Check the rates on Google’s website. Calls to the UK can range from $0.01 to $2.50 USD per minute, depending on the call type.
- Skype lets you pay a monthly subscription to call the UK. You can view the rates on Skype’s website. They offer various plans, such as 400 minutes per month to landlines and mobiles for $6.99 per month USD.
Use FaceTime if both you and the recipient have iPhones. If you and the person you’re calling both use iPhones, FaceTime offers an easy way to make video calls to anywhere in the world without any extra cost.
Making Responsible Calls
Consider the time difference before making your call. England follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is UTC +0. For example, England is 5 hours ahead of the eastern United States. Keep in mind that England observes Daylight Savings Time from spring through fall.
- During British Summer Time, which runs from late March to late October, England shifts to UTC +1.
- The benefit is that the entire UK follows the same time zone, so regardless of where in England you’re calling, the time will be the same.
Buy international calling cards to save on phone bills. You can purchase these cards at many locations, including gas stations, grocery stores, and convenience shops. Often, phone companies also offer them directly. After buying the card, you’ll receive a specific number of minutes to use for calls. Simply follow the card's instructions to use it.
- Be sure to check the fine print before purchasing. Verify that the card's minutes can be used for calls to England, and watch out for any hidden fees that could add extra costs.
Use a VoIP service to make free calls to phones and devices. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a great option for calling England. Programs like Skype and FaceTime use an internet connection, so you’ll need access to free WiFi. Once connected, you can dial the person's phone number just as you would for a normal call.
- VoIP services are available through apps on your phone, tablet, or computer.
- To make free VoIP calls, both you and the other person need to be connected to WiFi. If the person you’re calling also has the VoIP app and is using WiFi, you can talk without any charges.
Purchase minutes with a VoIP service to save money on landline calls. When calling landlines through a VoIP service, you can’t make calls for free. Instead, you’ll need to buy minutes directly through the program’s interface. VoIP minutes are often more affordable than those charged by phone providers, and you can pay as you go to avoid unexpected charges.
- Alternatively, search for phone carriers that offer affordable VoIP subscription plans.
Use a video chat app to make free calls. For video calls to be successful, both participants need to have the same video chat app installed on their devices. Once you both have internet access, simply find the other person in the app, then tap the call button to start the video chat.
- Popular apps that offer free video calling include Skype, Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp.
Exit Codes for International Calls
Exit codes differ by country. While we’ve compiled a list of common exit codes used worldwide, it's always best to double-check with Google or another search engine to make sure you have the correct one.
- 011 is the exit code for the United States, Canada, several U.S. territories, and many Caribbean islands.
- 00 serves as the exit code for most of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and certain Asian countries.
- Some countries, like South Korea, Colombia, Brazil, Israel, Finland, and Indonesia, use 00 but may require additional digits for carrier identification.
- 0011 is unique to Australia, the only country using this code.
- 010 is the exit code for Japan, the sole country using this code.
- 001 is used by Guyana, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Thailand, and Cambodia, while 002 applies to Taiwan.
- 0 is used by Samoa and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
- 000 is the exit code for Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Singapore.
- 009 is exclusive to Nigeria.
- 1XX0 is the exit code in Chile, where the "XX" varies based on your carrier.
- 19XX serves as the exit code for Peru, with the "XX" replaced by a specific carrier code.
- 810 is the exit code used in Eastern Europe, covering Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
- 99 is the exit code for North Korea.
Note: Some countries have multiple exit codes based on the service provider you use. For example, Brazil has five different exit codes: 0014 (Brasil Telecom), 0015 (Telefonica), 0021 (Embratel), 0023 (Intelig), and 0031 (Telmar).
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Before making an international call, ensure you have an international calling plan or a free alternative method in place.
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Review the charges associated with your phone plan or calling card, as international calls can become quite expensive without proper planning.
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For a smooth experience, ensure you have the correct phone number you need to dial. You can either ask the person you're calling for it or look it up online.
