With over a million Brits living in the USA chances are you have a loved one or a colleague you’d like to stay in touch with across the ocean. With the latest advancements in technology, it is easier than ever to communicate with anyone from practically anywhere in the world. Connecting with any UK-based number from the US is a pretty simple task if you know the right area code and in which sequence you have to dial the number. However, calling the UK from the US can be expensive. In this article, we’re sharing the different ways you can call someone in the UK from the US, along with some tips for free international phone calls and advice on calling etiquettes.
The first part of a UK landline number is specific to one geographic area. It is referred to as the area code or dialing code. The basic format of a UK landline phone number will be: area code + landline number.
Mobile phone numbers are 10 digits long and always begin with mobile code 7. The basic format of a UK mobile phone number will be: mobile code + phone number.
The United Kingdom country code 44 will allow you to call the United Kingdom from another country.
Here are some area codes of major cities in the UK. You can check the full list of UK area codes here to know more about cities.
You will need to follow a handful of simple steps to reach a landline in the United Kingdom.
Step 1. Dial Exit Code (011)
First, to dial the UK from the US, enter the digit 011. This exit code signals that you are making a call outside of the United States. Alternatively, if you are on a cellphone, you may need to substitute the ‘+’ key for 011. Some cell phones require you to use this single key.
Step 2. Dial the Country Code (44)
Secondly, enter the UK country code: 44. Entering the country code will allow you to get through to any UK-based phone number.
Step 3. Dial the Area Code
The third step to calling the UK from the US is to dial the area code that corresponds to the area you’re trying to reach. Note that area codes in the UK have as little as two, or as many as five, digits. If you see a 0 at the beginning of the area code, don’t dial this digit. Enter only the subsequent numbers.
Step 4 – Dial the Phone Number
After you’ve entered the area code, you can enter the remaining portion of the phone number.
An example mobile phone number in the UK would be: 011-44-117-1234-555
With these steps, you should be able to get through to any active landline in the UK from the United States.
Calling a cellphone in the UK is as easy as dialing a landline. The only difference is that instead of dialing an area code, you should enter UK’s mobile code, which is 7. Here are the step-by-step instructions for dialing a cellphone in the UK:
Step 1. Dial the Exit Code (011)
Enter the exit code, 011 (or the ‘+’ key if you’re on a cellphone)
Step 2. Dial the Country Code (44)
After dialing the exit code, enter in 44.
Step 3. Dial the Mobile Code (7)
Instead of dialing a location-specific area code, enter the number 7. This the UK’s mobile code.
Step 4. Dial the Phone Number
Enter the remaining portion of the phone number. For a cellphone, this should be 9 digits.
Here’s an example of what it would look like to dial a mobile phone in the UK: 011 (exit code), 44 (country code), 7 (mobile phone code), 555 123 456.
On the phone’s display, the call would read: 011-44-7-555-123-456.
Perhaps the most relevant consideration for anyone making international calls is the cost of doing so. International phone calls can be notoriously expensive and are often cost-prohibitive for people who would otherwise make them on a regular basis.
American carriers can charge unpredictable rates, or worse, cut your call off in the middle of a conversation if you’re on a prepaid line. To solve that, you need an idea of how much your carrier charges and if calling the United Kingdom is included in your phone plan.
Here are the major carriers’ basic rates posted on the web:
And that’s where Dingtone comes in: Dingtone is an online calling app that lets you use WiFi or cellular data to make domestic and international phone calls for free. Compared with landlines or traditional mobile service, Dingtone can be used anytime and anywhere in the world with absolutely no international charges – and, for that matter, without any charges whatsoever! If you want to make free texts and calls online, Dingtone is the top bargain. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best free calling apps on the market.
To make free phone calls via Dingtone, the following elements should be well prepared:
For businesses that need a way to communicate with customers and contacts in the United Kingdom, users are also allowed to use some useful features Dingtone holds: voicemail, call forwarding, blocking unknown phone calls and texts, ringtones, conference calls, and walkie talkie mode.
Now, you’ve got your Dingtone number that can be used to make overseas calls, send text messages and register for online accounts.