If you are in the United States, either as a resident or a resident, you can make international calls in a number of ways. Once you know the basics, you'll be able to easily contact anyone, no matter what device you're using.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Calling an International Number from a Mobile or Fixed Phone
Step 1. Press "011" on the phone button
This international direct dial number must be dialed before dialing another number, and indicates that the number you are dialing is a number from outside the US.
- Keep in mind that "011" is a US-only prefix number. If you want to call from outside the US, you'll need to find the IDD number for the country you're in.
- Sometimes, international numbers have a "+" sign before the phone number. If you're calling on a cell phone, you can use the "+" sign (which generally has the same key as the number "0") instead of "011". Alternatively, you can replace the "+" sign with the code "011" if desired.
Step 2. Enter the country code
First, find out the country code for the number you want to call. The country code will vary depending on the country of origin of the number you wish to call, but country codes are generally 1-3 digits long.
- For example, if you are dialing an Australian phone number, use the country code "61". Dial "011" (IDD code) first, followed by "61" (country code).
- However, some countries use the same country code. For example, the United States, Canada, most of the Caribbean, Guam, and other US territories share the same country code, "1".
- If you want to dial a mobile number, you may need to add a specific number to the country code if that country has a different mobile numbering system. For example, if you want to dial a mobile number in Mexico, press "1" after the country code ("52").
Step 3. Enter the area code if required
After entering the IDD number and country code, enter the area code which is usually given as part of the local number. The area code serves to narrow the number to a specific area or city in the destination country.
- The area or city code may be 1-3 digits long.
- Keep in mind that area codes may not be used in small countries, and you can simply dial the given phone number.
- If an area or city code isn't provided, you'll need to ask the phone number owner for it, instead of searching for it by location. A person's home or city address may differ from the phone's area code, because phones can have a different area code from where they are used.
Step 4. Enter the remaining phone numbers after entering the IDD code, country code, and area/city code
After that, press the call button on your phone to start the call.
- Different from local United States numbers, phone numbers from other countries may have more than 7 digits, or even less.
- If you receive a number with a "0" prefix, delete the "0" and enter a phone number. The number "0" is the lock code for domestic calls in many countries, but is not used for international calls.
- Consider the following complete example. If you wish to contact a British museum in London, UK, from the United States, you must first use the IDD code "011". After that, enter the UK country code "44", and the London area code "20". Then, enter the phone number "7323 8299". So, to contact the museum, dial "011 44 20 7323 8299".
Method 2 of 3: Using an Online Call Service
Step 1. Use Skype to call international numbers
You can use Skype via computer and mobile. Purchase prepaid Skype credit, or use the monthly subscription option to make calls.
- Open the call button in the Skype app by tapping/clicking on the traditional 10 keyboard icons. Then, select the destination country from the drop-down menu. The country code will be added automatically, and you just need to dial/enter the rest of the phone numbers with the area code. With Skype, you don't need to use an IDD code.
- If the person you're calling has a Skype account, you can call them for free without entering a phone number. Add the person as a contact, and you can start a video or audio call at any time.
Step 2. Try a service like MagicApp or PopTox, which allow you to make international calls over an internet connection
Use a computer with an internet connection or a mobile phone to use the application.
- Try a service like PopTox to make calls through the browser, without the need to install additional apps.
- Use phone apps like MagicApp and Talkatone to make free international calls. Or, try a service like Google Hangouts, Rebtel, or Vonage for affordable calls.
Step 3. Consider using an online service without a phone number
Ask the recipient of the call to use the online application of your choice. Most VoIP services can be used for free to contact other users of the application.
- Try popular services like Google Hangouts, Viber, or Facebook Messenger. The app only requires you to join to be able to call other users for free.
- Make sure that you and the recipient of the call have a stable internet connection before initiating a call, either through a computer or mobile application. You will incur data access charges if you use your phone to make calls via VoIP, unless your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Method 3 of 3: Determining Call Charges
Step 1. Find out if the destination number is a mobile number or a fixed phone number
The type of phone to call determines how much you will be charged, and may determine how you call.
- International calls to mobile numbers generally have higher rates than calls to regular numbers. You may want to determine the type of number before calling, and dial a fixed number whenever possible.
- Some countries have special standards for determining the type of telephone number, namely through the initial digits in the number.
Step 2. Ask the international caller you are using before calling
If you have a cell phone, also ask about the cost of international calls by cell phone as the cost of calling by cell phone may vary.
- If you plan to make regular international calls, ask if the operator you are using has an international calling plan. If not, ask the general rate for calling abroad.
- Some telephone operators may provide special instructions for calling overseas. Also, if you are calling from an internal business network, you may need to press "9" to reach the external number.
Step 3. Learn more about international calling rates, calling plans, or prepaid calling cards
You should know the international calling rates, especially if you will be calling overseas frequently.
- Be aware of international calling plans from your current carrier. While carriers offer competitive rates per call, you will generally incur additional fees and charges if you exceed your usage limit. Sometimes, these calling plans will only be efficient if you make a certain number of international calls.
- Consider an international calling card or online service that is cheaper than your carrier's international calling plan or rates. These calling cards generally adhere to a prepaid system so you only need to pay according to usage. Internet-based services may be available for free or have flexible rates. Whatever service you use, make sure you understand the rates and terms of use.
Tips
- Remember international dialing codes. Maybe you can find this code via Google, but you don't want to have to always search Google before making a call, do you? You don't need to remember all international dialing codes, just the ones you use frequently.
- Check the time zone again. When you call it could be noon or midnight. Waking someone up in the middle of the night for something unimportant can be very annoying.
- Find out about the local culture. You may unintentionally be rude. So you better watch out.
- As another example, if you want to call Guatemala from the US, you must dial the outside dialing code (011) and the country code for Guatemala (502) followed by the phone number you wish to call. Overall, the number you have to dial will be like this: 011-502-xxxx-xxxx
