How to Call the United Kingdom from the US: Complete Guide (2026)
The United Kingdom uses the country code +44, and calling it from the United States is simple once you understand three things: the US exit code, the UK's leading-zero rule, and the shape of British phone numbers. This guide walks through every step with real examples.
The Basic Formula
- 011 — the US international exit code (tells your carrier the call is going abroad)
- 44 — the UK's country calling code
- UK local number — area code + subscriber number, minus the leading zero
The Leading-Zero Rule
British numbers are written with a trunk prefix 0 for domestic calls: London numbers start 020, mobiles start 07. When dialing from abroad you drop that zero and let +44 take its place:
| Number written in the UK | Dialed from the US | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 020 7946 0958 (London) | 011 44 20 7946 0958 | Landline |
| 0161 496 0000 (Manchester) | 011 44 161 496 0000 | Landline |
| 07700 900123 (mobile) | 011 44 7700 900123 | Mobile |
| 0800 111 4567 (freephone) | 011 44 800 111 4567 | Freephone |
Note: UK freephone numbers (0800/0808) are not always free from the US — your US carrier may still bill the call as international.
UK Number Formats at a Glance
- Geographic landlines: 01xx or 02x prefixes (e.g. London 020, Birmingham 0121, Edinburgh 0131) — usually 10-11 digits with the trunk 0.
- Mobiles: 071xx–079xx prefixes (operators: EE, O2, Vodafone, Three) — 11 digits with the trunk 0.
- Freephone: 0800/0808. Premium services: 09xx (billed at high rates).
- UK-wide 03 numbers: 030x/033x — charged like landlines, no geographic link.
Step-by-Step from a US Cell Phone
- Open the dialer and long-press 0 until a + appears (or simply type +).
- Type 44, then the UK number without its leading 0.
- Tap call. Example: a London mobile 07700 900123 becomes +44 7700 900123.
On a landline, replace the + with 011: dial 011 44 7700 900123.
What It Costs — and the Free Alternatives
Direct-dialed calls from US carriers typically cost $0.10–$3.00 per minute to UK landlines and mobiles, depending on your plan. International calling cards and VoIP apps cost far less:
- WhatsApp / FaceTime / Google Meet — free if both sides use the app (requires data)
- Google Voice — roughly 1¢/min to UK landlines
- Rebtel & KeepCalling — app-based calling from about 0.5¢/min
Compare all options in our save-money guide and the recommended calling tools list.
Time Zones and Emergency Numbers
The UK runs on GMT (UTC+0) in winter and British Summer Time (UTC+1) from late March to late October — 5 hours ahead of New York in summer, 8 hours ahead of Los Angeles. In an emergency inside the UK dial 999 or 112 (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard).
FAQ
Do I dial 011 44 or +44?
Both work. 011 is for landlines; the + symbol works on mobile phones and replaces the exit code automatically.
Why did my call to a UK number fail?
The most common cause is dialing the leading 0 after 44 (e.g. 011 44 020…). Drop the zero — 44 already replaces it.
Are UK mobiles included in my US plan?
Usually not. UK mobile numbers (07…) are typically billed as international mobile calls, which cost more than UK landlines. Check your carrier's international rates.
Sources: Ofcom UK numbering plan, ITU-T E.164. Carrier rates change — verify before dialing.