How to Call the UK from the US: Complete 2026 Guide

The United Kingdom is one of the most frequently called destinations from the United States, whether for business, family, or travel coordination. Despite sharing a common language, the dialing format between the two countries trips up many callers. This guide shows you exactly how to call the UK from the US, covering the country code, area codes, the critical rule about dropping the leading zero, and the most affordable ways to call in 2026.

Quick Reference: Dialing the UK from the US

The basic dialing format for calling the UK from the United States is:

From a landline: 011 + 44 + area code (without leading 0) + local number

From a mobile phone: +44 + area code (without leading 0) + local number

Example (landline in London): 011 44 20 7946 0958 or +44 20 7946 0958

Example (mobile): 011 44 7700 900123 or +44 7700 900123

The most important rule: always drop the leading 0 from UK numbers when dialing with the +44 country code. A London number written locally as 020 7946 0958 becomes +44 20 7946 0958.

Step-by-Step Dialing Instructions

How to call a landline in the UK

Dial the exit code: Enter 011 from a US landline, or use the + symbol on your mobile phone.
Enter the country code: Dial 44 for the United Kingdom.
Enter the area code without the leading 0: For example, London is 20 (not 020), Birmingham is 121 (not 0121).
Enter the local number: Dial the remaining digits.

A complete call to a landline in London would look like: 011 44 20 XXXX XXXX or +44 20 XXXX XXXX.

How to call a mobile phone in the UK

UK mobile numbers start with 07 when written locally. When calling from the US, you drop the 0 and dial 7 after the country code.

Dial 011 (or use +).
Dial 44.
Dial the mobile number without the leading 0 (e.g., 7700 900123 instead of 07700 900123).

Example: +44 7700 900123

Using the + symbol

On any smartphone, hold the "0" key or tap + directly. This replaces the 011 exit code and works from any country. For a full explanation, see our complete international calling guide.

UK Area Codes and Major Cities

City	Area Code	Example Number
London	20	+44 20 XXXX XXXX
Birmingham	121	+44 121 XXX XXXX
Manchester	161	+44 161 XXX XXXX
Edinburgh	131	+44 131 XXX XXXX

UK landline numbers begin with 01 or 02 when dialed domestically. The total length of a UK phone number (excluding the country code) is typically 10 or 11 digits including the trunk prefix "0," which you always omit when dialing from abroad.

Best Time to Call the UK from the US

The UK operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is UTC+0. During summer months (late March to late October), the UK switches to British Summer Time (BST), which is UTC+1.

GMT is 5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 8 hours ahead of US Pacific Time.
BST is 4 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (when both countries observe daylight saving).
If it is 10:00 AM in New York, it is 3:00 PM in London during winter (GMT) or 2:00 PM during the brief period when the US has changed clocks but the UK has not.

For personal calls, calling between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM Eastern Time works well, as it corresponds to afternoon and early evening hours in the UK. For business calls, the overlap window is roughly 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern Time, which catches UK business hours before close of day.

Note that the US and UK do not switch to daylight saving time on the same dates, so there are a few weeks each year when the time difference shifts by an hour.

How Much Does It Cost to Call the UK?

Service Type	Provider	Rate to Landline (Per Min)	Rate to Mobile (Per Min)
Traditional Carrier	AT&T / Verizon	$1.00 - $3.00+	$1.00 - $3.00+
VoIP App	Google Voice	~$0.01	~$0.02
Discount VoIP	BoraPhone	~$0.01 per minute	~$0.02 per minute

The UK is among the cheapest international destinations to call via VoIP, with rates often at or below two cents per minute. Traditional carriers charge significantly more. For a detailed comparison, visit our international calling rates page.

Editor's Tip: For the best balance of quality and price without downloading any software, we recommend using BoraPhone to make international calls from your browser.

Tips for Calling the UK

Always drop the leading 0. This is the most common mistake when calling the UK. If a British contact gives you their number as 020 7946 0958, dial +44 20 7946 0958. The 0 is a domestic trunk prefix and must be removed for international calls.
Know the number types. UK landlines start with 01 or 02, mobiles start with 07, and numbers starting with 08 are special service numbers (some are free, others are premium). Avoid calling 09 numbers from abroad as these are premium rate lines.
Use WhatsApp or FaceTime for free calls. Both apps are widely used in the UK. If your contact has the app, you can make free voice and video calls over Wi-Fi. See our guide on free international calls.
Watch for the DST mismatch. The US and UK change their clocks on different dates in spring and autumn, creating a few weeks where the time difference is one hour different from usual.

FAQ

Why do I need to drop the 0 when calling the UK?

The leading 0 in UK phone numbers is a trunk prefix used only for domestic calls. When you dial the international country code +44, it replaces the trunk prefix. Including both the country code and the 0 will result in a failed call or a wrong number.

Can I call UK mobile numbers the same way as landlines?

Yes, the dialing process is the same. Dial +44 followed by the number without the leading 0. The only difference is that mobile numbers start with 7 (after dropping the 0) while landlines start with 1 or 2. Rates may also differ slightly between mobile and landline calls.

What is the cheapest way to call the UK from the US?

VoIP services offer the lowest rates, typically one to two cents per minute. BoraPhone lets you call UK landlines and mobiles directly from your browser at competitive rates. If both parties have WhatsApp or FaceTime, those calls are free over an internet connection.

Ready to call the UK without the high fees? Try BoraPhone today for crystal-clear international calls directly from your browser — no downloads required.