Need to call someone in the UK from the US and you're not quite sure what you're supposed to dial? And yes, it's easier than it looks. The one thing that catches people out is the 0 at the beginning of a UK number. You use it when calling within the UK, but you drop it when calling from the United States. Once you know that, you're sorted.
How to Call the UK from the US
The format is:
011 + 44 + UK phone number without the first 0
Here's what that looks like in real life:
| Type of Number | UK Local Format | Calling from the US |
|---|---|---|
| London landline | 020 7946 0018 | 011 44 20 7946 0018 |
| UK mobile | 07700 900123 | 011 44 7700 900123 |
The 011 tells your carrier you're making an international call from the US. 44 is the UK country code. Then comes the UK number - but without the first 0. If you're calling from a mobile, you can usually save the number using the international format instead:
+44 20 7946 0018
+44 7700 900123
Honestly, this is the format strongly recommended saving your UK contacts in. It saves you having to fix the number every time you're in a different country.
Why Do You Remove the First 0?
That little zero is called the UK trunk prefix. When you're inside the UK, it helps route domestic calls. But once you're calling from another country, the UK country code takes over. So:
Inside the UK: 07700 900123
Calling internationally: +44 7700 900123
It's a tiny difference, but leave that zero in and your call may not go through.
What's the Best Way to Call the UK From the US?
That really depends on how often you're calling. Calling once in a while? Your normal mobile plan might be enough. Calling the UK every week for work, customers, family or friends? Then it's worth looking at international calling options. You could use:
- Your mobile carrier's international calling plan
- An internet-based calling app
- An international calling service
Making International Calls With Cooee eSIM App
If you're using a Cooee mobile number, you can also make international calls to supported destinations through the Cooee app.
This can be useful if you regularly call people in different countries and don't want to jump between multiple calling apps. Your available international calling allowance and credits will depend on your Cooee plan and the destination you're calling, so it's worth checking your account before making regular international calls.
For someone who regularly calls overseas, having everything in one place is definitely easier than juggling three different apps and wondering which one still has credit.
The Final Verdict
Calling the UK from the US isn't difficult once you know the format:
011 + 44 + UK number without the first 0
Or, on most mobile phones:
+44 + UK number without the first 0
That's the technical part done. The next question is simply how often you're going to make those calls. For the occasional call, your usual phone plan may be perfectly fine. If you're regularly calling the UK for business, work, family or friends, an international calling service could save you money and hassle.
And if you're already using Cooee, you can make international calls to supported destinations through the app, depending on your plan and available credits. Just remember to drop the zero. It's only one digit, but it's probably the most important one in this entire guide.
FAQs
1. What is the code to call the UK from the US?
Dial 011, followed by 44, then enter the UK phone number without its first 0.
2. Can I use +44 instead of 011 44?
Yes. When calling from most mobile phones, you can use +44 instead of 011 44.
3. Do I remove the 0 when calling a UK mobile from the US?
Yes. For example:
UK format: 07700 900123
International format: +44 7700 900123
4. What is the cheapest way to call the UK from the US?
It depends on how often you call. Compare your mobile carrier's international rates with internet-based international calling services if you make regular calls.
5. Can I make international calls with Cooee?
Cooee supports international calling to supported destinations. Your available calling allowance, credits and rates depend on your plan and the destination you're calling.
