The United States country code is +1

When you call a phone number in the United States from outside the country, you dial +1 before the number. The +1 is the country code — it tells the phone system you are calling into the United States. You will see it written as +1, 001, or sometimes just 1 depending on where you are calling from.

The full format for a U.S. phone number from abroad is +1 followed by the 10-digit number. For example, if the number is (555) 123-4567, you would dial +1-555-123-4567 from another country. Some phone systems let you drop the + and dial 001 instead, but +1 works from almost everywhere.

The country code is the same whether you are calling a landline, a mobile phone, or a business. It does not change by state or region within the United States.

Key Takeaways

  • The country code for the United States is +1, which you dial before any U.S. phone number when calling from outside the country.
  • The full number format is +1 followed by the 10-digit U.S. number, with no additional codes needed for different states or cities.
  • Some phone systems accept 001 instead of +1, but the + symbol works from nearly all countries.
  • International calling rates vary by your phone provider and the country you are calling from, so check with your carrier before making the call.

How the country code fits into a full U.S. number

A complete U.S. phone number has three parts: the country code, the area code, and the local number. The country code (+1) comes first. The area code is the next three digits — for example, 212 for New York City or 415 for San Francisco. The local number is the remaining seven digits.

When you write out the full international format, it looks like this: +1-212-555-0123. The hyphens are just for readability; you can also write it as +12125550123 and it will dial the same way. Different countries and phone companies format it differently, but the digits themselves never change.

If you are calling from a country that requires you to dial an access code first (like 00 or 011), you dial that before the +1. For example, from the United Kingdom you might dial 00 1 555 123 4567. Your phone or calling service will usually handle this automatically if you use the + symbol.

Where the +1 code applies

The +1 country code covers the United States, Canada, and several Caribbean territories. If you are calling a Canadian number, you still use +1. The area code tells you which country within the +1 zone the number belongs to — but from outside, you do not need to think about this. You just dial +1 and the full 10-digit number.

Some U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands also use +1, so the country code is the same whether you are calling the mainland or those islands.

Dialing from your phone or computer

On a mobile phone, open the keypad and type the number starting with +. On most phones, you hold down the 0 key to get the + symbol. Then type 1 followed by the 10-digit U.S. number. If your phone is set to a country that does not use the + system, you may need to dial 001 instead of +1.

If you are calling from a computer using a service like Skype, Google Voice, or WhatsApp, the process is the same: enter +1 and the full number. These services usually accept the + format from any country.

Some older phone systems or hotel phones may not accept the + symbol. In that case, try dialing 001 followed by the number, or ask the front desk what the correct format is for international calls from that phone.

Cost and timing considerations

International calls to the United States cost money unless you are using a service that includes them in your plan. Rates depend on your phone provider, your location, and whether you are calling a mobile or landline number. Mobile calls are usually more expensive than landline calls.

Before you dial, check with your phone company or service about rates. Many providers offer international calling plans that reduce the per-minute cost. Video calls over WiFi using apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime are usually cheaper or free than traditional phone calls.

Time zones matter too. The United States spans four main time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific), so a number in New York is three hours ahead of a number in Los Angeles. Check the time zone before calling to avoid reaching someone at an inconvenient hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a different code for calling a cell phone versus a landline in the U.S.?

No. The country code +1 is the same for both. The difference is only in the cost — your provider may charge more for calls to mobile numbers than to landlines.

What if the number I have does not have an area code?

U.S. phone numbers always have an area code as part of the 10-digit number. If you have a number without one, it may be incomplete or formatted differently. Ask the person who gave you the number to confirm it is correct.

Can I text a U.S. number from abroad using the +1 code?

Yes. Text messages use the same +1 country code format as voice calls. Rates for international text messages vary by provider, so check your plan before sending.

Why do some websites show U.S. numbers without the +1?

Websites and directories often show numbers in the domestic format (just the 10 digits) because they assume the reader is in the United States. When you call from abroad, you need to add the +1 at the beginning.

Is there a difference between +1 and 001?

Both reach the United States, but +1 works from more countries. The 001 format is used by some phone systems that do not recognize the + symbol. Try +1 first; if it does not work, ask your provider whether 001 is accepted.