United States +1
To call United States from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 1, then the local number without its leading 1. In full: +1 201-555-0123.
The country calling code for United States is +1. A number starting +1 or 001 is a call to or from United States. From abroad: +1 201-555-0123.
To call United States from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 1, then the local number without its leading 1. The +1 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).
How to call United States from abroad
011 1 201-555-012300 1 201-555-01230011 1 201-555-0123+1 201-555-0123201-555-0123 is a real-format United States mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 1.
United States area codes
When calling a landline in United States, dial the city area code after +1 (without its leading 1):
| City | Area code | Full dial |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 212 | +1 212 … |
| Los Angeles | 213 | +1 213 … |
| Chicago | 312 | +1 312 … |
| Houston | 713 | +1 713 … |
| Miami | 305 | +1 305 … |
| Washington DC | 202 | +1 202 … |
Number format
(201) 555-0123from abroad+1 201-555-0123(201) 555-0123from abroad+1 201-555-0123Landline numbers in United States have 10 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 10 digits. The national prefix 1 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +1.
Calling abroad from United States
To call another country from United States, dial the exit code 011 (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From United States to the United States, for example: 011 1 201 555 0123.
A United States number in international format is written +1 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America). Switching to international format, drop the leading 1.
Cheapest ways to call United States
With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call United States for free. To reach a number without an app, VoIP services are usually cheaper than your operator’s international rate.
Frequently asked questions
What country has the code +1?
United States has the country calling code +1.
How do I call United States from the United States?
Dial 011, then 1, then the local number without its leading 1 — for example 011 201-555-0123.
What does +1 mean?
It is the international dialing code for United States. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Is +1 mobile or landline?
The +1 code identifies the country, not the line type; United States landlines and mobiles share it.
A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.
Mobile networks in United States
5 mobile network operators run their own networks in United States. The largest is Verizon, with about 147 million subscribers (Q1 2026). Pick the one with the best coverage where you will spend most of your time.
Includes Verizon Value and Visible by Verizon
Owned by Verizon Communications Inc.
Includes Metro by T-Mobile, Assurance Wireless, Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile
Owned by Deutsche Telekom AG (51.4%)SoftBank Group Corporation (7.6%)free float (41%)
Includes FirstNet by AT&T and Cricket Wireless
Owned by AT&T Inc.
Only in some areas of MS, TN, AL states
Owned by Telapex, Inc.
Only in the state of AK
Owned by GCI Liberty Inc.
- 3G has been switched off on Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T. A phone that only works on 3G will get no data there and may not be able to call: check that yours supports 4G with voice (VoLTE) before you go.
- 2G is gone on Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, which also affects old feature phones and some smartwatches or car trackers.
- 4G/5G frequency bands used in United States: 5G 1700, 5G 1900, 5G 2500, 5G 26000, 5G 28000, 5G 3700, 5G 39000, 5G 600, 5G 850, LTE 1700, LTE 1900, LTE 2300, LTE 2500, LTE 600. Most recent smartphones cover them; older or regional models may miss some.
- Moving there? Mobile number portability has existed since 2003-11-24, a transfer takes about 0 day(s) and costs free.
Also available: virtual operators (MVNOs) that rent capacity on these networks — Virgin Mobile, Numerex, Jasper, telna Mobile, Aeris, Telnyx LLC, New Dimension Wireless Ltd., Metro, GigSky, Aspenta International, Inc..
Operators, subscriber counts, network codes and switch-off dates: Wikipedia (lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G/3G phase-out, mobile number portability), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Figures come from each operator or regulator at the date shown.
Getting a SIM card in United States
What visitors and new residents need to know before buying a local SIM or eSIM in United States, with a source for each point.
Buying a SIM as a visitor
No federal or state law requires ID to buy or register a prepaid SIM (a 2010 Senate bill to require it was not passed); carriers may still ask for ID when activating in store.
Source: dwt.com
Where to buy it
Prepaid plans from carriers (e.g. T-Mobile) and MVNOs (e.g. Mint Mobile, Tello), or travel eSIMs bought online; prepaid can generally be activated without a Social Security Number or deposit.
Source: international.txst.edu
Getting a monthly contract as a resident
Postpaid/contract plans may require a credit check, a Social Security Number, or a refundable security deposit if you have no US credit history.
Source: international.txst.edu
Scam calls and texts
Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM); report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; register on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov (or 1-888-382-1222); illegal calls can also be reported to the FCC (fcc.gov/complaints).
Source: consumer.ftc.gov
Emergency numbers
911 (police, fire, ambulance); text-to-911 available in many areas; 988 suicide and crisis line.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Checked on 28 September 2026 against the sources linked on each card (regulators, government portals and operators first). SIM and ID rules change often: confirm with the operator before you travel.
Mobile plans in United States: prices on 28 September 2026
Offers taken from the operators' own websites. Prices change often and promotions end: open the offer before you buy.
For visitors
- Unlimited data · 14 days
- unlimited talk & text in the U.S., Mexico and Canada
- Needs: No ID or paperwork; domestic & international credit/debit cards from select countries; unlocked eSIM phone; must be bought and activated in the U.S.
- Buy: T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app / prepaid.t-mobile.com
For residents
- Unlimited data
- unlimited talk & text; unlimited talk & text to Mexico & Canada
- Buy: visible.com online (eSIM sign-up)
- Unlimited data
- unlimited talk & text; unlimited text from the U.S. to 230+ countries
- Needs: Online only; new single line
- Buy: att.com online
- Unlimited data
- unlimited talk and text
- Buy: prepaid.t-mobile.com
- Unlimited data
- unlimited talk and text
- Needs: Postpaid account
- Buy: t-mobile.com / T-Mobile stores
Prices as displayed on each operator's website on 28 September 2026. We are not paid by the operators listed.
Staying connected in United States
With 113 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, almost everyone in United States has a mobile — a WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call is usually the easiest way in. Internet use is high (95 %), so app-to-app calls over Wi-Fi are a safe bet.
Source: World Bank / ITU World Telecommunication indicators (IT.CEL.SETS.P2, IT.NET.USER.ZS, IT.MLT.MAIN.P2), latest available year.
Free and premium numbers in United States
+1 800-234-5678Free from inside United States (numbers starting with 8). From abroad these numbers are often unreachable or charged at the international rate.
+1 900-234-5678Surcharged services — ranges starting with 9002–9009. Do not call back an unknown missed call from such a range: the cost is far above a normal call.
Number ranges: ITU-T national numbering plan for United States via Google libphonenumber.
US area codes
Every US number starts with a three-digit area code after +1. Browse all 379 geographic area codes, or open one of the big-city codes below.
Alabama 7 · Alaska 1 · American Samoa 1 · Arizona 5 · Arkansas 4 · California 41 · Colorado 6 · Connecticut 4 · Delaware 1 · District of Columbia 2 · Florida 23 · Georgia 10 · Guam 1 · Hawaii 1 · Idaho 2 · Illinois 17 · Indiana 8 · Iowa 5 · Kansas 4 · Kentucky 5 · Louisiana 6 · Maine 1 · Maryland 6 · Massachusetts 9 · Michigan 13 · Minnesota 8 · Mississippi 5 · Missouri 9 · Montana 1 · Nebraska 3 · Nevada 3 · New Hampshire 1 · New Jersey 10 · New Mexico 2 · New York 23 · North Carolina 10 · North Dakota 1 · Northern Mariana Islands 1 · Ohio 15 · Oklahoma 5 · Oregon 4 · Pennsylvania 15 · Puerto Rico 2 · Rhode Island 1 · South Carolina 6 · South Dakota 1 · Tennessee 8 · Texas 29 · U.S. Virgin Islands 1 · Utah 3 · Vermont 1 · Virginia 10 · Washington 6 · West Virginia 2 · Wisconsin 8 · Wyoming 1
Canada +1
Mexico +52
Cuba +53