Calling the United States from Mexico

How do you dial United States from Mexico?

Country code

+1

All numbers numbers

Example: +1 212 555 1234

All US numbers are 10 digits: 3-digit area code + 7-digit local number. Mobile and landline use the same format.

Toll free numbers

Example: +1 800 555 1234

US toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, etc.) may not work from Mexico or may charge international rates. Look for a regular number instead.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Trying to dial 001 instead of +1 (both work, but + is simpler)
• Calling US toll-free numbers expecting them to be free from Mexico
• Forgetting to include the area code—always dial all 10 digits

When is the best time to call United States?

Timezone: 4 US time zones: Eastern (UTC-5), Central (UTC-6), Mountain (UTC-7), Pacific (UTC-8)

Same timezone

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM US Central (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Mexico Central (same time) your time)

Most of Mexico and the US Central timezone are aligned. Texas, Chicago, and central Mexico = no conversion needed.

West coast

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM US Pacific (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Mexico Central your time)

California is 1-2 hours behind central Mexico. Your evening catches their late afternoon.

What should you know about calling United States?

The US has excellent mobile coverage in populated areas. Major carriers
are Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Rural areas and national parks may
have limited service. Both mobile and landline connections are reliable.

Call quality from Mexico to the US is excellent—the short distance
means clear, low-latency connections. Border cities have particularly
strong connectivity. No quality issues for calls to any US city.

Cultural tips

Americans are generally flexible about call timing but avoid calling
during dinner (6-8 PM local) or after 9 PM. Business calls work best
9 AM - 5 PM their time. Voicemail is widely used—leave a message if
they don't answer. A quick text before calling is appreciated.

Holidays to know

Thanksgiving (4th Thursday of November) is a major US holiday—families
gather and travel. Christmas/New Year week, July 4th, and Memorial Day/
Labor Day weekends are busy family times. These don't align with Mexican
holidays, so plan accordingly.

Alternatives to phone calls

WhatsApp is increasingly popular in the US, especially for communicating
with family in Mexico. iMessage works for Apple users. Facebook Messenger
is also common. For business, email is often preferred for initial contact.

Frequently asked questions

Related calling guides