International phone numbers use a country code, area code, and local number in a specific order

An international phone number has three parts: a plus sign and country code, a regional or area code, and the local number. The format looks like this: +1 555 123 4567 for the United States, or +44 20 7946 0958 for the United Kingdom. The country code tells the phone system which country to route the call to. The area code narrows it down to a region within that country. The local number reaches the specific phone line.

When you are renting a car abroad or coordinating with an international rental company, you will need to provide and receive phone numbers in this format. Rental agencies, roadside information, and customer service lines all expect numbers formatted correctly so calls connect without delay.

Key Takeaways

  • International numbers always start with a plus sign and the country code, which is one to three digits depending on the country.
  • The area or region code comes after the country code and identifies a city or region within that country.
  • When dialing from abroad, you may need to replace the leading zero in a local number with the country code instead.
  • Most car rental companies list their support numbers in international format on their website and confirmation documents.
  • Saving international numbers in your phone with the plus sign and country code ensures they work from any country you travel to.

The plus sign and country code

Every international number begins with a plus sign (+) followed by a country code. The plus sign tells your phone to use international dialing. The country code is a one- to three-digit number assigned to each country by the International Telecommunication Union. The United States and Canada both use +1. The United Kingdom uses +44. France uses +33. Mexico uses +52. Australia uses +61.

You can find a complete list of country codes on the International Telecommunication Union website or on most phone carriers' websites. When you save a contact from another country in your phone, include the plus sign and country code at the beginning. This way, the number will work whether you are calling from home or traveling internationally.

Area codes and regional numbers

After the country code comes the area code or regional code, which identifies a city or region within the country. In the United States, area codes are three digits: +1 212 for New York City, +1 310 for Los Angeles, +1 415 for San Francisco. In the United Kingdom, London numbers start with +44 20, and Manchester numbers start with +44 161. In France, Paris numbers start with +33 1, and Lyon numbers start with +33 4.

The length and structure of area codes vary by country. Some countries use two-digit area codes, others use three or four. When a car rental company gives you a local support number, the area code tells you which office or region that number reaches. If you are renting in Paris, a number starting with +33 1 reaches a Paris-based office. A number starting with +33 4 reaches a different region.

Local numbers and how they fit together

The local number is the final part of an international phone number. It is the number you would dial if you were calling from within that city or region. In the United States, local numbers are seven digits. In the United Kingdom, they vary but are typically four to eight digits after the area code. In France, they are typically eight digits after the area code.

A complete international number looks like this: +1 (country code) 212 (area code) 555 1234 (local number) for a New York number, or +44 (country code) 20 (area code) 7946 0958 (local number) for a London number. When you write the number, you can use spaces, hyphens, or parentheses to separate the parts, but the order always stays the same: plus sign, country code, area code, local number.

Converting local numbers to international format

When a car rental company or local business gives you a phone number in their home country, it may not include the country code. A London number might be listed as 020 7946 0958 instead of +44 20 7946 0958. To convert it to international format, drop the leading zero and add the country code and plus sign.

The leading zero is a domestic dialing prefix used only when calling from within that country. When you are calling from abroad, you replace it with the plus sign and country code. So 020 becomes +44 20. A Paris number listed as 01 42 34 56 78 becomes +33 1 42 34 56 78. A Mexico City number listed as 01 55 1234 5678 becomes +52 55 1234 5678. Always check the rental company's confirmation email or website for the international format, as they usually provide it already converted.

Dialing international numbers from different countries

How you dial an international number depends on where you are calling from. If you are in the United States calling a London number, you dial +44 20 7946 0958 exactly as written. If you are in the United Kingdom calling a New York number, you dial +1 212 555 1234 exactly as written. The plus sign works from any country and any phone network.

Some older phones or landlines may not recognize the plus sign. In that case, replace the plus sign with the international access code for the country you are calling from. From the United States, the access code is 011, so you would dial 011 44 20 7946 0958. From the United Kingdom, it is 00, so you would dial 00 1 212 555 1234. From France, it is also 00. Your car rental company's support line should work with the plus sign format, but if you have trouble, check your phone's dialing instructions or ask your mobile carrier.

Saving and storing international numbers

When you save a car rental company's phone number in your phone, always use the plus sign and full country code format. This ensures the number works no matter which country you are in when you need to call. If you save it without the plus sign, it may not dial correctly when you are traveling.

Most modern smartphones automatically recognize the plus sign and dial it correctly. If you are using a landline or older phone, check whether it accepts the plus sign. If not, save the number with the international access code for your home country instead. Write down the number on paper as well, in case your phone battery dies or you lose service. Include the plus sign and country code so you can dial it from any phone you borrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to include spaces or hyphens when I dial an international number?

No. Spaces and hyphens are only for readability when you write the number down or see it on a website. When you dial, your phone ignores them. You can type +1 212 555 1234 or +12125551234 and the call will go through the same way. Save it however is easiest for you to read.

What if the car rental company's number has an extension?

Write the extension after the main number, usually separated by an x or ext. For example: +1 212 555 1234 x5. When you dial, you will reach the main line first, and then you can enter the extension when prompted. Some companies let you add the extension to your phone's contact, and the phone will pause before dialing it automatically.

Can I text an international number using the plus sign format?

Yes, if your phone plan includes international texting. Use the same plus sign and country code format you would use for calling. Check with your mobile carrier about whether texting to international numbers costs extra or uses your regular text allowance.

Why does my phone show a different format for international numbers I receive?

Different phones and carriers display numbers differently. Some show +1 212 555 1234, others show +1-212-555-1234, and others show (212) 555-1234. They all represent the same number. If you need to dial it, use whatever format your phone accepts, or retype it in the plus sign format.

What if I am calling from a country that is not listed on the country code chart?

Every country and territory has a country code. If you cannot find it on a basic list, search online for "country code" plus the country name, or ask your mobile carrier. They can tell you the correct code and the international access code for the country you are in.