How Do You Call Internationally?
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To call internationally, you dial an exit code that leaves your country's phone network, then the destination's country code, then the area code and local number. On a mobile phone, you can simply use a plus sign in place of the exit code, which works from anywhere.
Calling internationally can seem confusing with its strings of codes, but it follows a simple, consistent pattern. Here is how to call internationally, what exit and country codes are, and some tips to make international calls easily and cheaply.
How do you call internationally?
To make an international call, you dial a sequence of numbers in a set order: first an exit code, which tells your phone network you are calling out of the country, then the country code of the destination, then the area or city code if there is one, and finally the local phone number. For example, calling a number abroad involves stringing these parts together into one long number. The exact exit code depends on the country you are calling from, and the country code depends on where you are calling to. Once you know these two codes, the rest is just the regular number. On a mobile phone, the process is even simpler, since you can replace the exit code with a plus sign.
What is an exit code or international access code?
An exit code, also called an international access code or dialing-out code, is the number you dial at the very start of an international call to signal that the call should leave your country's network and go abroad. Different countries use different exit codes: for instance, the United States and Canada use 011, while many other countries, including much of Europe, use 00. Because it varies by the country you are calling from, you need to know your current location's exit code when dialing manually from a landline. The great convenience on mobile phones is that you can dial a plus sign instead of the exit code; the phone automatically substitutes the correct exit code, so the plus sign works no matter which country you are calling from.
What is a country code?
A country code is a short numeric code, unique to each country, that you dial after the exit code to route your call to the right nation. For example, the United States and Canada share country code 1, the United Kingdom is 44, Australia is 61, and India is 91, among the many codes assigned worldwide. After the country code, you dial the destination's area or city code and then the local number. One common point of confusion is that when dialing internationally, you often drop a leading zero that appears at the start of a domestic area code in some countries, since that zero is only used for calls within that country. Looking up the correct country code, and whether to drop a leading zero, ensures your international call connects properly.
What are tips for calling internationally?
A few tips make international calling easier and cheaper. On a mobile, always use the plus sign instead of memorizing exit codes, since it works from any country. Be aware that international calls over the regular phone network can be expensive, with high per-minute rates and potential roaming charges if you are abroad, so for many people the cheaper option is to call over the internet: apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Signal, and others let you call or video chat for free over Wi-Fi or data, as long as both people use the app or you use their calling features. Save international numbers in your contacts in full international format with the plus sign and country code, so they work whether you are at home or traveling. Mind the time-zone difference when choosing when to call.
To call internationally, dial an exit code, then the country code, area code, and local number, dropping any leading zero on the area code. On a mobile, just use a plus sign in place of the exit code. To avoid high call charges, use internet apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime over Wi-Fi, and mind the time difference.
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