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Phone numbers all over the world follow different rules and formatting guidelines depending on their country of origin.
If you travel internationally, you’ll notice other countries’ phone numbers don’t look like yours. There's a whole world of country codes, area codes, dashes, parentheses, and more to follow when formatting a number.
The US is certainly no different. Read on to find out the rules for US phone number format and what each piece of an American number means. You’ll never have to hesitate when writing or dialing a US number again.
What To Know About the US Phone Number Format
A standard US phone number always consists of the American country code and ten digits. When making a domestic call, you will not need to include the country code.
To break it down further, a US number includes the following parts:
The Country Code
Every country in the world has a country code or dialing code assigned to them. Country codes are between 1-4 digits long. The US country code is 1 as is the country code for Canada. The correct format will also include a plus sign before the 1.
So, the complete country code you will dial, which comes at the beginning of an American phone number, is +1.
The Area Code
Every traditional number in the USA has a three-digit area code at the beginning of the number. This means the first three digits of ten-digit American numbers are the area code, and the next seven digits are their unique identifiers. The country code does not count as part of the number because it is the same for everyone and is only necessary when making international calls to the US.
Area codes are based on the location you purchased your phone in. Some regions can have multiple area codes associated with them. When you get a new number, you may have the option of choosing which number and in turn, which area code you want out of a set of provided options. You can also look area codes up online to determine where calls originate from.
Some examples of area codes in major US cities are:
- New York City: 212, 917, 718, 646
- Los Angeles: 213, 323, 310
- Chicago: 312, 773, 872
- Washington D.C.: 202, 771
- Austin: 512, 737
- Philadelphia: 267, 445, 215
- Denver: 303, 720, 983
- Nashville: 615
The North American Numbering Plan assigns and manages area codes across the US. Area codes are also formally formatted with parentheses around them.
Toll-Free Numbers
Toll-free numbers are always free to call regardless of the service provider and phone plan you have. They are also free to call from landline phones, which ordinarily would charge you a long-distance call fee if you called a number out of your region. The North American Numbering Plan is also responsible for creating and managing these numbers.
Toll-free numbers are not associated with any particular region but still have an area code of sorts at the beginning.
Toll-free area codes in North America include:
- 800
- 833
- 844
- 855
- 866
- 877
- 888
If you see a phone number with one of these sets of numbers at the beginning, you’ll know it’s toll-free. Business, and particularly customer service, numbers are the most likely to be toll-free because they want people to be able to call easily and without charge.
The Prefix
The next three numbers in a US phone number are called the prefix. They essentially help pinpoint the geographic region your cell phone is from even further, narrowing it down to the specific town within the larger area code region.
If you share the exact same prefix as someone else, you actually won’t have to include the area code when you dial their telephone number — but there’s also nothing wrong with including it.
The Line Number
Last but not least are the remaining four digits, which are called the line number. This is the number that is unique to you and directs the call to go to your phone specifically, not anyone else in the same town.
In a typical US number, the prefix and line number are separated by a dash or hyphen. Sometimes, the prefix plus the line number is also known as the subscriber number.
Putting it All Together
So, we have all the pieces. But what does a US phone number look like when the pieces come together? A typical US number will look like: +1 (XXX) XXX-XXXX
Spelled out, the format is: +Country Code (Area Code) Prefix-Line Number
An example of an American number from New York City is: +1 (212) 504-4115
An example of an American number from Los Angeles is: +1 (323) 825-9734
How To Call a US Number Domestically
Making phone calls to US numbers within the US couldn’t be easier. You don’t have to worry about the country code, just type in the other ten digits exactly as you see them.
Because mobile phones don’t need parentheses or dashes to be typed in — they will automatically add them — you don’t even have to worry about that. Just literally type in the numbers into the keypad exactly as you see them.
How To Call a US Number Internationally
Making an international call requires a few additional steps — but with a little attention to detail, international dialing is really quite manageable. The biggest difference is including the exit code.
Exit Codes
Exit codes are codes you type in before calling a different country. Your call will exit your home country and begin its journey to wherever you’re calling. You will use the exit code that pertains to the country you’re currently in, not the one you’re calling. This is the first thing you dial when making an international call.
For example, if you make an international call to a USA phone number from Japan, you will dial Japan’s exit code, which is 81. If you call from Mexico, you would dial 00. The exit code for the US is 011. The exit code for most countries will be 00, but some, like Japan, are different. It’s a good idea to double-check the code for your country before calling an international phone number.
The Plus Sign
Exit codes can seem overwhelming as you have to type even more numbers into the keypad, which means there is a greater chance for error.
Luckily, the plus sign (+) also works in place of an exit code. This means you can dial +1 for international calls to the US, and you’ll be able to get through just fine without having to know your country’s exit code.
How To Dial a US Number From Abroad
Now that you’ve learned about exit codes, the rest of the rules follow domestic calling regulations. Your call will begin with the exit code, then +1, followed by the area code, prefix, and line number. So the order goes like this:
Exit Code or Plus Sign, Country Code (Area Code) Prefix-Line Number
An example phone call from Australia to the US would work as follows:
0011 1 (214) 687-9372 OR +1 (214) 687-9372
An example phone call from India to the US would work as follows:
00 1 (323) 927-4729 OR +1 (323) 927-4729
The key is to pay attention to the digits in the number you’re calling, don’t forget the exit code or plus sign, and remember the country code as well. Avoiding common mistakes will help you communicate quicker and more adeptly across the world.
Calling With a Second Phone Number
A great way to manage your contacts, protect your main number from excessive online exposure, and organize your calls is by using a second phone number app.
With an app like Burner, you can make calls to the US the same way you would on an ordinary phone… but Burner offers greater protections like spam filtering, increased anonymity, and the easy ability to change your number should it become compromised.
You will dial US numbers in the same way on your Burner phone: country code, area code, prefix, line number.
Second numbers are useful to have for a variety of reasons that include online dating and meeting new people, separating different aspects of life across numbers, online account creation, online purchasing, and more. Help your main number stay safe and secure with Burner.
One Final Format Reminder
The key to understanding the US phone number format and dialing correctly is simply paying attention when you dial.
Make sure you type the number exactly as you see it, don’t forget the exit and country codes if you’re calling internationally, and look up any area codes you need to confirm the location of a caller.
If you’re calling within the US from a mobile phone number, all you need to be concerned with is typing in the correct number exactly as you see it. Don’t worry about adding parentheses or dashes. If you’re calling the US from another country, use that plus sign unless the exit code is necessary, and don’t forget the country code. Your phone needs to know where it’s going.
Don’t forget US phone number format will always be: +1 (Area Code) Prefix-Line Number
At least some things will never change.
Sources:
NANPA : Number Resources - NPA (Area) Codes
What Is a Toll-Free Number and How Does it Work? | Federal Communications Commission
International Calling Tip Sheet | Federal Communications Commission
