Are you trying to call the USA from the UK but don’t know the correct dialing process?
Calling the US from the UK is simple with a few easy steps. Whether you’re reaching out to your American clients or connecting with family in the US, you can successfully place a call following the methods given in this blog.
✨ TL;DR
- UK to USA dialing format: 00 + 1 + area code + 7-digit number (On mobile, replace 00 with +1)
- UK time is 5 to 10 hours ahead of US time zones: Eastern Time is 5 hours behind, Central Time is 6 hours behind, Mountain Time is 7 hours behind, Pacific Time is 8 hours behind, Alaska Time is 9 hours behind, and Hawaii Time is 10 hours behind.
- Traditional calls cost £0.10–£3.50/min, which can be reduced by using VoIP services.
- KrispCall gives you a US virtual number so your calls appear local to US recipients.
How to call the USA from the UK: Step-by-Step
To call a US cell phone or landline number from the UK, you need to enter the exit code of US, followed by the UK country code > area code, and subscriber number.
Follow the sequences below to call any US number from the UK.
From a UK landline
| Step | What to Dial | Why |
| 1 | 00 | UK international exit code |
| 2 | 1 | US country code |
| 3 | Area code (3 digits) | Routes to the correct US city/region |
| 4 | Local number (7 digits) | The individual number |
For Example: To call a New York number (212) 555-1234, dial: “00 1 212 555 1234”
From a UK mobile phone
On mobile, skip the exit code and use + instead. Hold the 0 key until the + appears:
“+1 212 555 1234”
Quick Tip: The + sign is a universal international prefix that works on all smartphones worldwide.
Quick table for the brief reference
| Landline | 00 + 1 + [3-digit area code] + [7-digit number] |
| Mobile | +1 + [3-digit area code] + [7-digit number] |
Related Article 👉: How to Call the UK from the US?
Most popular area codes in the US
US area codes are 3 digits and serve as identifiers for specific cities or regions. Here are some of the area codes from popular US cities that UK businesses most frequently call:
| Area Code | Main City / Region | State |
| 212, 315, 332, 347, 516, 518, 585, 607, 631, 646, 680, 716, 718, 929, 934 | New York City (Manhattan & surrounding areas) | New York |
| 213, 310, 323, 424, 626, 747, 818, 909, 949 | Los Angeles (Downtown, Westside, Beverly Hills, San Fernando Valley) | California |
| 305, 786 | Miami | Florida |
| 404, 470, 678, 770 | Atlanta | Georgia |
| 415, 628 | San Francisco | California |
| 512, 737 | Austin | Texas |
| 702, 725 | Las Vegas | Nevada |
| 713, 281, 832, 346 | Houston | Texas |
| 312, 773, 872 | Chicago | Illinois |
| 206, 253, 425, 564 | Seattle | Washington |
| 617, 857 | Boston | Massachusetts |
| 214, 469, 972, 945 | Dallas | Texas |
| 215, 267, 445 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania |
| 602, 480, 623 | Phoenix | Arizona |
| 503, 971, 458 | Portland | Oregon |
| 702, 725 | Las Vegas | Nevada |
| 904 | Jacksonville | Florida |
| 305, 786 | Miami | Florida |
| 801, 385 | Salt Lake City | Utah |
| 312, 773, 872 | Chicago | Illinois |
| 615, 629 | Nashville | Tennessee |
| 801, 385 | Salt Lake City | Utah |
| 702, 725 | Las Vegas | Nevada |
Note: The US has over 335 area codes. If you don’t see yours here, a quick search for “[city name] area code” will give you the right one in seconds.
There is no major difference between dialling a US mobile number and a landline; the format is similar. US mobiles use the same 10-digit format as landlines.
How much does it cost to call the USA from the UK?
Costs to call the USA from the UK vary depending on how you call. Here are the three methods to call the USA from the UK:
Traditional UK phone carriers
Standard rates for calling the US from a UK landline or mobile without an international plan typically range from $0.65 to over $4.00 (£0.50 – £3.50+) per minute.
A 30-minute client call at these rates costs $19.5 – $120 every single time.
Many UK carriers offer international add-ons that reduce this per-minute cost, making it more manageable for occasional calls.
Free or near-free apps
Apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, and Google Meet allow free voice and video calls as long as both parties have the app and a stable internet connection. You can use these for personal calls or internal team communication.
Limitations
- You can’t call regular US phone numbers (landlines or mobiles) through these apps without an internet connection.
- The other person must have the same app installed.
VoIP services: the smart option for business
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) routes calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines, which significantly reduces international call costs. For UK businesses that call the US regularly, VoIP is the most cost-effective option by far.
Providers like KrispCall offer calls to US virtual numbers at a fraction of traditional carrier rates, at just $0.02 to $0.13 per minute. Additionally, you can get a free US local number with KrispCall when you subscribe.
Having a US virtual number from KrispCall makes your business appear local to the recipient. For sales teams and customer support, this makes a measurable difference in answer rates.
Related Article👉: How to Get a US Phone Number in UK?
Smart tips for smooth international calling
International calling doesn’t have to be that challenging when you know the right time zone, use the correct dialing format, and pick a reliable calling alternative. Here are some smart tips for smooth and effective international calling.
1. Check the time zone
One thing you need to keep in mind while making an international call in the US is the ideal time. Calling at an inconvenient time can disturb the recipients or even lead to them ignoring your call.
To ensure your call is received and effective, you can use a world clock or a phone app to schedule a call at your preferred time. For instance, when it’s 9 AM in London, it’s only 4 AM on the US East Coast. So, timing matters a lot when calling internationally.
2. Use a reliable connection
To make your communication clear, your mobile phone or landline must have a stable network connection. Therefore, before calling, ensure that your devices have a strong Wi-Fi signal or Wi-Fi stability. You can even use VoIP services like KrispCall, Zoom, or Meet to enhance your call quality.
3. Consider cost and alternatives
Calling international countries directly from a regular mobile phone can get expensive. But there are several affordable alternatives you can use. Some of the apps, like WhatsApp, Zoom, international calling cards, or special mobile plans that include international minutes.
Choosing the right option can help you stay connected without paying high fees, making communication convenience.
This is where a dedicated VoIP solution changes the equation.
Problems with international dialing for business teams
If you’re trying to reach out for personal calls, dialing 00 +1 +area code is a minor inconvenience. But the business team, which needs to make dozens of US calls per day, faces these challenges.
- Sales reps must manually format every number before dialing
- Calls show up as “International” or “Unknown” on the recipient’s phone, and chances are you’ll get ignored
- Call logs, recordings, and customer data are stored in different places
- Costs scale fast using regular phone lines: 50 calls/month × 20 minutes average × $0.65/min = $650/month
How KrispCall eases the UK-to-US calling process
KrispCall is a cloud-based phone system that lets UK businesses get a desired US virtual phone number: a local and toll-free number.
Once you have a US number with KrispCall:
- You can dial normally, no exit codes needed.
- US recipients see a local number, not an international one, which increases the answer rates.
- All calls, SMS, and voicemails are managed in one dashboard (the Unified Callbox)
- Your team can share one number across multiple agents with a shared inbox.
- CRM integrations (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, and 100+ more) keep customer data in sync automatically.
KrispCall plans start at $15/user/month (or $12 with annual billing) and include one free US or UK local number per user.
Still spending $500+ a month on international carrier charges?
KrispCall’s per-minute VoIP rates are a fraction of UK carrier prices, and you get a US number your customers actually pick up. Book your free demo today!
