Last reviewed: 2025-01-07 · Reading time: 5 minutes
How do you dial United States from United States?
- Country code
+1- Standard numbers
-
Example:
(212) 555-1234 or 212-555-1234All US numbers are exactly 10 digits. Area codes are 3 digits. Formatting varies but the digits are always the same.
- International format numbers
-
Example:
+1 212 555 1234When calling from abroad or storing contacts, use +1 followed by all 10 digits.
- Dialing within us numbers
-
Example:
212-555-1234 or 1-212-555-1234Most areas require 10-digit dialing even for local calls. Some still accept 7 digits locally, but 10 always works.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Only dialing 7 digits—most areas now require all 10
- Confusing toll-free (800, 888) with regular area codes
- Assuming area codes indicate mobile vs landline—they don't
When is the best time to call United States?
Timezone: 4 continental time zones plus Alaska and Hawaii
Eastern
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Eastern (NYC, Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Washington DC your time)
UTC-5 (UTC-4 during daylight saving, March-November)
Central
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Central (Chicago, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans your time)
UTC-6 (UTC-5 during daylight saving). 1 hour behind Eastern.
Mountain
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Mountain (Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City your time)
UTC-7 (UTC-6 during daylight saving). Arizona doesn't observe DST.
Pacific
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Pacific (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland your time)
UTC-8 (UTC-7 during daylight saving). 3 hours behind Eastern.
What should you know about calling United States?
The US uses the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), shared with Canada
and several Caribbean nations. Area codes were introduced in 1947. As
demand grew, cities received additional "overlay" codes. There's no
technical difference between old and new codes.
Domestic US call quality is excellent. Mobile coverage is strong in
urban and suburban areas. Rural coverage varies by carrier—Verizon
typically has the best rural coverage, followed by AT&T and T-Mobile.
Cultural tips
Americans frequently use text messaging before calling. Voicemail is
standard—leave a message if someone doesn't answer. Business calls
are best during work hours (9 AM - 5 PM local). Personal calls are
fine until about 9 PM. Avoid calling during meal times if possible.
Holidays to know
Major holidays when people may be busy or traveling: Thanksgiving
(4th Thursday of November), Christmas/New Year, July 4th, Memorial Day
(late May), Labor Day (early September). These are family gathering
times across the country.
Alternatives to phone calls
Text messaging (SMS/iMessage) is the dominant communication method in
the US. Many people prefer texts over calls. For group communication,
iMessage (Apple) and various messaging apps are popular. Business
communication often happens via email, Slack, or Teams.
Frequently asked questions
What are the area codes for every major US city?
Northeast:
New York City: 212, 646, 917, 718, 347, 929 · New Jersey: 201, 551, 908, 732, 973, 862 · Boston: 617, 857 · Philadelphia: 215, 267, 445 · Washington DC: 202 · Baltimore: 410, 443 · Pittsburgh: 412, 878
Southeast:
Miami: 305, 786 · Atlanta: 404, 470, 678, 770 · Orlando: 407, 689 · Tampa: 813, 656 · Charlotte: 704, 980 · Nashville: 615, 629 · New Orleans: 504
Midwest:
Chicago: 312, 773, 872 · Detroit: 313, 248 · Minneapolis: 612, 763 · Cleveland: 216 · Columbus: 614 · Indianapolis: 317 · Milwaukee: 414
Texas:
Houston: 713, 281, 832, 346 · Dallas: 214, 469, 972 · San Antonio: 210 · Austin: 512, 737 · Fort Worth: 682, 817 · El Paso: 915
West:
Los Angeles: 213, 310, 323, 424, 818, 747 · San Francisco: 415, 628 · San Diego: 619, 858 · San Jose: 408, 669 · Phoenix: 602, 480, 623 · Las Vegas: 702 · Denver: 303, 720 · Seattle: 206, 253 · Portland: 503, 971
Why do cities have multiple area codes?
When the original area code runs out of available number combinations,
new "overlay" codes are added covering the same geographic area.
New York City started with 212 in 1947, added 718 in 1984, then 917,
646, 347, and 929. All codes work identically—there's no difference
in service, quality, or cost between them.
What do toll-free numbers (800, 888, etc.) mean?
Toll-free prefixes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, 833
These are free to call from within the US—the receiving party pays.
They're used by businesses for customer service. From international
locations, toll-free numbers often don't work or aren't free.
833 is the newest toll-free code (added 2017).
How can I tell if a US number is mobile or landline?
You can't. Unlike many countries, US mobile and landline numbers share
the same area codes and format. A 212 number could be a Manhattan
landline or someone's cell phone. Number portability lets people keep
numbers when switching between mobile and landline service.
What's the 1 before the area code?
The 1 is the country code for the US (and Canada). Within the US,
you may or may not need to dial it depending on your carrier and
location. From abroad, always use +1. The formats 1-212-555-1234,
212-555-1234, and +1 212 555 1234 all reach the same number.
Current rates
$0.04-$0.17/min
Rates vary by mobile vs landline. Billed per minute, rounded up.
View all rates →