What’s the UK country code when calling from the US?
The UK country code is 44. When calling the UK from the US, you will dial 011 (the US exit code), then 44 (the UK country code), followed by the UK phone number without the initial zero.
Calling internationally can seem complicated at first, but it follows a consistent pattern. The “exit code” tells your phone network that you’re making an international call. For the US, this code is 011. Next, you enter the country code for the country you’re calling—in this case, 44 for the United Kingdom. After the country code, you dial the specific phone number of the person or business you’re trying to reach.
A common mistake is including the initial zero that often appears at the beginning of UK phone numbers (e.g., 07700 900000). This zero is used only when calling within the UK. When calling from abroad, you must drop the zero. So, to call the example number from the US, you would dial 011 44 7700 900000.
Do I need to dial an exit code from the US to call the UK?
Yes, you absolutely need to dial an exit code when calling the UK from the US. This code tells the US telephone network that you are making an international call and need to be routed outside of the country.
The exit code for the United States is 011. So, to start your call to the UK, you’ll dial 011 first. Following the exit code, you’ll need the UK’s country code, which is 44. Then, you must dial the area code of the specific location in the UK you are calling, *omitting the leading zero* if the UK area code usually includes one. Finally, you enter the local phone number. Therefore, the complete dialing sequence is: 011 + 44 + UK Area Code (without the leading zero) + Local Number. For example, if you are calling a London number, which might typically be displayed as 020 xxxx xxxx, you would dial 011 44 20 xxxx xxxx. Incorrectly dialing the exit code is a common mistake that will prevent your call from going through. It’s also important to remember to drop the leading zero from the UK area code, as this is only used when dialing *within* the UK. Failing to do so will also result in a failed call. Always double-check the entire number, including the exit code, country code, and area code, before placing the call to ensure it connects successfully.
How does the time difference affect when I call the UK?
The time difference between the US and the UK is a crucial factor to consider when making a call because it determines when the recipient in the UK will be available and awake. If you call at 3:00 AM US Eastern Time, it will be 8:00 AM in the UK, which may be a reasonable time to call. However, if you call at 11:00 PM US Eastern Time, it will be 4:00 AM in the UK, which is generally considered an inappropriate time to call unless it’s an emergency.
The United States spans multiple time zones, from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST), while the UK primarily operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) during the winter and British Summer Time (BST) during the summer months. This means the time difference can vary between 5 to 8 hours, depending on the specific locations within the US and the UK, and whether daylight saving time is in effect in either location. To avoid calling at inconvenient hours, it is essential to determine the precise time difference between your location and the location of the person you intend to call in the UK. To easily figure out the best time to call, you can use online time zone converters or world clocks. These tools allow you to enter your current location and the location in the UK you want to call, displaying the corresponding times. This will help you choose a suitable calling window that aligns with standard business hours or personal availability in the UK, increasing the likelihood of a successful and well-received call.
Are there cheaper ways to call the UK from the US besides my cell phone?
Yes, several cheaper alternatives exist for calling the UK from the US besides using your cell phone’s direct dialing service. These options primarily leverage Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology or utilize pre-paid international calling cards, often resulting in significantly lower per-minute rates.
VoIP services like Skype, WhatsApp, Google Voice, and Viber allow you to make calls to UK landlines and mobile phones using an internet connection. Many of these services offer free calls to other users within their platform, or very low per-minute rates for calls to traditional phone numbers. The cost savings can be substantial, especially for frequent or long-duration calls. You’ll typically need a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a microphone and speakers to utilize these apps.
Another option is to purchase an international calling card. These cards provide a specific amount of calling credit which can be used to dial international numbers at a pre-negotiated rate. While some cards may have hidden fees or connection charges, careful research can identify cards with transparent pricing and favorable rates for calls to the UK. Many calling card companies now also offer app-based access, allowing you to dial directly from your smartphone, combining the convenience of mobile with the cost savings of a calling card.
What are UK area codes and how do I use them?
UK area codes are numerical prefixes added to local phone numbers, used to direct calls to a specific geographic region or city. When calling the UK from the US, you need to dial the US exit code (011), followed by the UK country code (44), then the UK area code (omitting the initial ‘0’ if present), and finally the local phone number.
The UK’s telephone numbering plan divides the country into different areas, each assigned a unique area code. These codes can vary in length, but typically range from two to five digits. It’s crucial to include the correct area code when dialing, as omitting or using the wrong one will prevent the call from connecting. For example, London’s area codes are ‘020’, while Manchester uses ‘0161’. If a UK number is written as (020) 7946 0000, when calling from the US, you would dial 011 44 20 7946 0000 (notice that the initial ‘0’ from ‘020’ is dropped). To successfully call a UK number from the US, follow these steps: First, dial the US exit code, which is 011. This tells the US phone network that you are making an international call. Then, dial the UK country code, which is 44. Next, dial the UK area code, *without* the leading ‘0’ (if it has one). Finally, dial the remaining digits of the local UK phone number. For example, if the UK number is 0114 2XX XXXX (Sheffield area code), from the US you would dial: 011 44 114 2XX XXXX. Keep in mind that mobile phone numbers in the UK start with ‘07’. When calling a UK mobile number from the US, follow the same procedure, omitting the initial ‘0’ from the ‘07’ prefix. For example, if the mobile number is 07700 900000, you would dial 011 44 7700 900000.