It’s a quiet evening. You finally have a moment to call your friend in London, only to realize your phone is staring back at you like it’s asking for a secret code. Do you start with 44? How the heck do I dial a + symbol? Do you keep the zero? Is this going to cost a fortune?
We’ve been there.
Calling the UK from the US can seem complicated at first glance, but once you know how it works, it’s surprisingly simple. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step: from decoding those mysterious dialing prefixes to saving on international call rates.
Let’s bridge that Atlantic gap… one digit at a time.
- Step-by-Step Guide to Calling the UK from the US
- Understanding UK Phone Number Formats
- What It Costs to Call the UK from the US
- NumberBarn Call Forwarding & UK Numbers
- Stay Connected Across the Pond
Step-by-Step Guide to Calling the UK from the US
When you make an international call, you’re essentially asking your phone network to open a few digital doors before your call reaches its destination. Here’s how that sequence unfolds:
- Dial the US exit code — 011
This is your way of telling the network, “I’m calling outside the country now.” It’s the same no matter where you’re calling from in the US. - Enter the UK country code — 44
Every country has its signature number. For the United Kingdom, it’s 44. Whether you’re calling England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, this code gets you across the ocean. - Add the UK area code — but drop the “0”
Here’s where most people trip up. Inside the UK, local calls start with a “0.” But from the US, you’ll need to remove it. So, a London number like 020 7946 0018 becomes 011 44 20 7946 0018. The same applies whether you’re calling a Manchester office or a Glasgow café. - Dial the local subscriber number
After the area code comes the local number: the final stretch of your call. - Press call and connect
And just like that, you’re dialing across the Atlantic. On mobile phones, you can even skip “011” and hold down 0 until you see a “+”. It’s a universal shortcut for international calls.
| Type | UK (local) | Dialed from US |
|---|---|---|
| London landline | 020 7946 0018 | 011 44 20 7946 0018 |
| UK mobile | 07700 900123 | 011 44 7700 900123 |
| Toll-free (UK) | 0800 123 4567 | 011 44 800 123 4567 |
A little note: UK “toll-free” numbers aren’t always free from overseas. If you’re planning to make or receive a lot of international calls, consider setting up forwarding, it’s easier than you think. Learn how in our Comprehensive Guide to International Call Forwarding.
Understanding UK Phone Number Formats
By now, you’ve dialed once or twice. Maybe you’ve even memorized the +44. But what do all those numbers really mean?
Think of a UK phone number as an address:
- +44 is the country
- (0) is like the “street entrance” — used only if you’re already inside
- Area code tells the phone system where to send your call
- Subscriber number is the house you’re knocking on
Here’s how it looks in practice:
| Type | UK format | International (US → UK) |
|---|---|---|
| London landline | 020 7946 0018 | +44 20 7946 0018 |
| UK mobile | 07123 456789 | +44 7123 456789 |
| Toll-free (UK) | 0800 123 4567 | +44 800 123 4567 |
UK mobile numbers always start with a 7 once you drop the local zero. Area codes range from London’s 20 to Edinburgh’s 131, while national and business lines use prefixes like 03xx or 08xx.
Once you’ve seen the pattern, UK numbers start to make sense. It’s like learning the rhythm of a new language.
Pro Tip: Save contacts the smart way
Always use the international “+44” format for saving international numbers in your phone. Your future self will thank you when traveling.
What It Costs to Call the UK from the US
Now that you can connect, the next question is: How much is this going to cost me?
The answer: it depends, but here’s what you should know.
Traditional US carriers charge per minute. Rates vary by provider and by whether you’re calling a landline or mobile. Costs often range between $0.05 and $1.50 per minute, depending on your plan.
| Method | Average Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Major US Carrier | $0.50–$1.50/min | Reliable but pricey |
| Google Voice | $0.01–$0.10/min | Wi-Fi required |
| WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger | Free | Wi-Fi or data & app required for caller and receiver |
If you call the UK often with a major carrier, those numbers can add up quickly. That’s why many travelers, expats, and remote workers use call forwarding or a virtual number to handle UK calls more affordably.
A virtual number, like Google Voice, allows you to use a Wi-Fi connection to make inexpensive calls with paid plans or credits for calling certain countries with your virtual number. Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Telegram are a go-to for many personal users needing international connectivity, but require both the caller and receiver to use the app and Wi-Fi.
NumberBarn Call Forwarding & UK Numbers
In some scenarios, NumberBarn call forwarding can help you save money on international fees and carrier phone bills. With a NumberBarn phone number, you can use call forwarding to forward incoming calls to other phone numbers around the world. You can also use a NumberBarn number to make outbound calls to various countries (like most carriers, international rates may apply for some locations).
For instance, if you were studying abroad in the UK for six months and wanted to save on your US carrier phone bills, you could port (transfer) your phone number to NumberBarn and keep it active with a NumberBarn call forwarding plan. You could then forward it to a local UK number (in this case, most people purchase a local UK sim card). This allows you to keep your US number and let your US contacts reach you without needing to dial a UK number and pay international call charges. It also helps you avoid international roaming charges with a US carrier.
Or you could simply purchase another number with NumberBarn (they start at just $5) and activate call forwarding to the UK or internationally. (Forwarded calls to UK landlines are included in standard NumberBarn call forwarding plans.)
Conversely, maybe your business has started expanding into the UK, but it’s mainly headquartered in the US. You could maintain a UK presence with a NumberBarn UK virtual number for your local UK leads and clients, then forward it to your US number when stateside, without incurring extra fees for them or you.
Bonus Tips to Save on International Calls
Whether you’re traveling to the UK, Latin America, Europe or Asia, there are always ways to save a few bucks while staying connected internationally, so you can enjoy sipping tea in that charming cafe and catching up with your friends and family around the world.
- Buy a local number or virtual number
Get a SIM or eSIM card at your destination, use it for more affordable local calls. - Use call forwarding
Use international call forwarding to forward phone calls around the world. Get a US, Canadian or UK phone number with NumberBarn, forward calls wherever you need to. - Try VoIP or messaging apps
WhatsApp and other messaging platforms like Facebook Messenger are free or low-cost options if you have a Wi-Fi connection and both parties have the app. - Use a Google Voice number
It’s generally inexpensive to dial many countries from the US using a Google Voice number, but it does require a Wi-Fi connection. - Double-check your plan
Carriers sometimes charge extra for non-geographic numbers (those that start with 03 or 08).
Common Questions About Calling the UK
Q: Do I always need to dial 011?
A: Yes, unless you use a VoIP or forwarding service that does it automatically.
Q: Why drop the ‘0’?
A: The zero is a local prefix for domestic UK calls — international calls replace it with +44.
Q: Can I call UK toll-free numbers (0800, 0808) from the US?
A: You can, but they might not be free outside the UK.
Q: Can I get a UK number while living in the US?
A: Absolutely. With NumberBarn, you can buy and forward a UK number instantly, making it easy for friends, family, or clients to reach you wherever you are.
Stay Connected Across the Pond
So there you are: digits dialed, call connected, and the familiar sound of a voice from 5,000 miles away greeting you with a “Hello!”
Calling the UK from the US means staying connected with the people, places, and possibilities that matter most. Once you know the pattern, it’s simple. And once you find the right tools, it’s affordable too.
At NumberBarn, we believe communication shouldn’t be complicated or costly. With a UK virtual number and seamless call forwarding, your phone can feel local no matter where life takes you.
Because sometimes, home is just a few numbers away.
Got more questions about dialing long distance? We’re happy to help.
