How to Call the United Kingdom From the US
UK Calling Format From the US
To call the United Kingdom from the US, dial the US international exit code, then the UK country code, followed by the UK number without its first zero.
- Dial 011, the international exit code used when calling from the United States.
- Dial 44, the United Kingdom country code.
- Enter the area code or mobile code without the leading zero.
- Enter the remaining digits of the number.
The basic format is 011, then 44, then the UK number with its domestic leading zero removed. Do not pause for a dial tone between these parts.
If the number is written in international format and begins with a plus sign and 44, it is already prepared for international dialing. On a landline, replace the plus sign with 011. On a mobile phone, you can normally keep the plus sign.
How to Call a UK Landline
A UK landline number normally contains an area code followed by a local subscriber number. When displayed for calls made within the United Kingdom, the area code begins with zero. That zero is the domestic trunk prefix and is not dialed from the United States.
To call a UK landline from the US:
- Find the full UK landline number, including its area code.
- Identify the zero at the beginning of the area code.
- Remove only that leading zero.
- Dial 011, then 44, then the area code and local number as one continuous sequence.
Parentheses sometimes appear around the area code or its leading zero. They are formatting marks and are not dialed. Spaces and hyphens can also be ignored.
Do not remove a zero that appears later in the number. Only the first zero of a UK number written in domestic format is omitted. If the number already starts with 44, do not add another country code.
How to Call a UK Mobile Number
UK mobile numbers are commonly written for domestic use with a leading zero followed by a mobile code beginning with 7. To call a UK mobile from the US, remove the first zero and place the UK country code before the remaining digits.
From a US landline, use 011, then 44, then the mobile number beginning with 7. From a US mobile phone, use the plus sign, then 44, then the mobile number beginning with 7.
The same leading-zero rule applies whether the number was copied from a contact, an email signature, or a business page. If it is shown with a plus sign and 44 already included, use it as displayed. Do not put the domestic zero back after 44.
Calling From a Mobile Phone
On a US mobile device, the plus-sign format is usually the simplest way to dial United Kingdom from the US. Enter the plus sign, 44, and the UK number without its leading zero.
On many phones, you can enter the plus sign by pressing and holding the zero key. The exact keypad behavior may vary by device. You can also edit the saved contact so it uses the international format.
Check the contact carefully before calling. A saved UK number may still use domestic formatting. If it starts with zero, remove that zero before placing 44 in front. If it already begins with the plus sign and 44, do not add 011 as well.
Common Dialing Problems
If the call does not connect, check the sequence before trying again. Most problems come from formatting, missing digits, or account restrictions.
- Wrong exit prefix: From a US landline, begin with 011. Do not use the domestic long-distance prefix in its place.
- Leading zero retained: A UK number written for domestic calls often begins with zero. Remove that first zero after adding country code 44.
- Country code repeated: If the number already starts with the plus sign and 44, do not add 011 and 44 in front of the complete international number.
- Incomplete number: A local UK number may have been provided without its area code. Ask the person or organization for the full number in international format.
- International calling blocked: The US line may not have international dialing enabled. Check the calling settings or contact the service provider through its official support page.
- Connection failure: A temporary network problem, unavailable line, or incorrectly copied digit can stop the call. Compare the number with its official source, wait briefly, and try again.
If you hear a recorded error, note whether it points to an invalid number or a restriction on the line. That distinction can help you decide whether to verify the UK number or check the US calling account.
Before You Call
Verify the number using the recipient's official website, recent correspondence, or another source controlled by the person or organization. Look for a Contact, Help, or Support page. Use the full international version when one is provided.
Check the time in the part of the United Kingdom you are calling. The time difference from the United States varies by US time zone, and daylight-saving changes do not always occur on the same dates. Confirm the current local time before placing a business or personal call.
Finally, make sure international calling is enabled on the US phone line. Review the account's calling controls or use the provider's official support options. If the line is managed by an employer or another account holder, they may need to confirm that international calls are allowed.
For a final check, the answer to how to dial a UK number from the US is straightforward: use 011 and 44 from a landline, or the plus sign and 44 from a mobile, then enter the UK number without its first domestic zero.