How to Call a U.S. Mobile Phone from the UK: Step-by-Step Dialing Guide

Calling a U.S. cell phone from the United Kingdom follows a standard international format. No special codes or apps are needed—just the correct sequence.

Dialing Formula

00  +  1  +  [US area code]  +  [7-digit local number]

Breakdown

1. 00 — UK international access code (exit code).
2. 1 — United States country code (also covers Canada and Caribbean NANP territories).
3. Area code — 3 digits (e.g., 213 for downtown Los Angeles, 212 for Manhattan).
4. Local number — 7 digits (XXX-XXXX).

Example

To reach (213) 555-0199 in Los Angeles from London:

00 1 213 555 0199

Practical Tips

• Mobile vs. landline: Same format; U.S. mobiles don't have distinct prefixes.
• From a UK mobile: You can replace "00" with "+" (hold 0 on most keypads): +1 213 555 0199.
• Cost: Check your UK carrier's international rates; VoIP apps (WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime Audio) are often free over Wi-Fi.
• Time zones: The U.S. spans 6 zones (UTC-4 to UTC-10); verify local time before dialing.

That's it—four number groups, and you're connected across the Atlantic.