How to Use International Calling Codes

Whether you’re traveling abroad, or trying to reach someone who is, it’s important to understand how to effectively make direct dial international calls—even if only as a safety measure. There are all kinds of web-based alternatives to telephone communication, most of which are quick, free, and widely accessible.

two travelers taking a selfie together with a smartphone

Sure, we’re all texters these days—but it doesn’t hurt to know how to call home in an emergency abroad.

However, those options don’t work in every country and you won’t always have access to an internet connection. For so many practical reasons, every traveler should have a handle on how to make an international phone call if and when they need to.

This process might sound super basic, but the truth is that it’s not quite so simple as just dialing the number you’re trying to reach directly from your phone. There are several steps you will need to take when making an international call. If you want to be prepared, read the FAQs below, and you’ll be ready to make a connection whenever you need one.

6 FAQs about international calling

1. What’s a country code?

A smart traveler always comes prepared.

International area codes, also known as country codes, vary from country to country. Some of the international country codes are shorter. For example, if you’re calling a number in the US, you just dial +1 (and then the phone number) to make a call. But other international calling codes can be two or three digits long and don’t always correspond geographically.

For example, the country code for Taiwan is +886 and the country code for mainland China is +86. It’s important to know how to reach the location you’re looking for. Knowing how to access the codes will help with that.

READ: Should You Get a VPN While Traveling?

2. How to make international calls

If you’re wondering how to use international calling codes, there are a few steps you can take. First, you will need to enter the international direct dial designation code. These will vary based on where you are calling from, but are most often (011) or (00) and then, you will enter the country code for the international location you’re calling.

One quick pro-tip: If the international number you’re calling starts with a zero, you should leave that off and enter the direct dial designation code, followed by the country code and the rest of the number.

And, one bit of reassurance—if you run into trouble, you can always work with an operator for support. They can help you when you’re confused about how to use international calling codes.

3. How to dial internationally from a cell phone

traveling wearing a yellow shirt sitting on the back of a car and smiling at their smartphone

International calling may sound complicated but it’s easier than it sounds.

You might be wondering if these steps are any different when you’re dialing internationally from a cell phone—and yes, there are a few things you should keep in mind when using your mobile phone to make international calls. If you’re in the United States calling internationally, check out the advice from the Federal Communications Commission.

The example they provide involves calling Brazil from your mobile phone in the United States. First, you would dial 011, and then the international country code for Brazil (55), the area or city code, and then the phone number.

So, if you are trying to call someone in Brazil in the city of Rio de Janeiro (city code 21), you would dial 011 - 55 - 21 - and then the actual phone number. Whew.

4. How do I call a US cell phone in a foreign country?

If you’re looking to call a US cell phone while abroad, you need to call the exit code to reach the US (0011) + the US country code (1) plus the area code and phone number you’re trying to reach in the United States.

And if you’re trying to call another country using a US mobile phone while in another country? Make sure you check with your individual mobile service provider. They will have all the information you will need to use the correct international country codes and the proper international area codes—and they will be able to share the best plans for keeping your costs within your travel budget limits.

So, if you’re looking for more information about how to make international calls, be sure to check the list of all of the country code numbers below.

READ: How to Use Your Phone Internationally Without Charges

5. List of all country code numbers

a traveler in a plaza smiling and looking up from their smartphone

Here’s your ultimate country calling code list. Make sure to bookmark it or print a copy!

So, how do you find the international calling codes you need when it’s time to make a call? You will find all kinds of lists available from your mobile provider, from telephone service provider websites, or from information available from the countries themselves. You can also bookmark this list for a quick-reference guide arranged alphabetically for ease of use.

93 : Afghanistan
355 : Albania
213 : Algeria
684 : American Samoa
376 : Andorra
244 : Angola
809 : Anguilla
268 : Antigua
54 : Argentina
374 : Armenia
297 : Aruba
247 : Ascension Island
61 : Australia
672 : Australian External Territories
43 : Austria
994 : Azerbaijan
242 : Bahamas
246 : Barbados
973 : Bahrain
880 : Bangladesh
375 : Belarus
32 : Belgium
501 : Belize
229 : Benin
809 : Bermuda
975 : Bhutan
284 : British Virgin Islands
591 : Bolivia
387 : Bosnia and Herzegovina
267 : Botswana
55 : Brazil
284 : British V.I.
673 : Brunei Darussalm
359 : Bulgaria
226 : Burkina Faso
257 : Burundi
855 : Cambodia
237 : Cameroon
1 : Canada
238 : CapeVerde Islands
1 : Caribbean Nations
345 : Cayman Islands
238 : Cape Verde
236 : Central African Republic
235 : Chad
56 : Chile
86 : China (People's Republic)
886 : China-Taiwan
57 : Colombia
269 : Comoros and Mayotte
242 : Congo
682 : Cook Islands
506 : Costa Rica
385 : Croatia
53 : Cuba
357 : Cyprus
420 : Czech Republic
45 : Denmark
246 : Diego Garcia
767 : Dominica
809 : Dominican Republic
253 : Djibouti
593 : Ecuador
20 : Egypt
503 : El Salvador
240 : Equatorial Guinea
291 : Eritrea
372 : Estonia
251 : Ethiopia
500 : Falkland Islands
298 : Faroe (Faeroe) Islands (Denmark)
679 : Fiji
358 : Finland
33 : France
596 : French Antilles
594 : French Guiana
241 : Gabon (Gabonese Republic)
220 : Gambia
995 : Georgia
49 : Germany
233 : Ghana
350 : Gibraltar
30 : Greece
299 : Greenland
473 : Grenada / Carricou
671 : Guam
502 : Guatemala
224 : Guinea
245 : Guinea-Bissau
592 : Guyana
509 : Haiti
504 : Honduras
852 : Hong Kong
36 : Hungary
354 : Iceland
91 : India
62 : Indonesia
98 : Iran
964 : Iraq
353 : Ireland (Irish Republic; Eire)
972 : Israel
39 : Italy
225 : Ivory Coast (La Côte d'Ivoire)
876 : Jamaica
81 : Japan
962 : Jordan
7 : Kazakhstan
254 : Kenya
855 : Khmer Republic (Cambodia/Kampuchea)
686 : Kiribati Republic (Gilbert Islands)
82 : Korea, Republic of (South Korea)
850 : Korea, People's Republic of (North Korea)
965 : Kuwait
996 : Kyrgyz Republic
371 : Latvia
856 : Laos
961 : Lebanon
266 : Lesotho
231 : Liberia
370 : Lithuania
218 : Libya
423 : Liechtenstein
352 : Luxembourg
853 : Macao
389 : Macedonia
261 : Madagascar
265 : Malawi
60 : Malaysia
960 : Maldives
223 : Mali
356 : Malta
692 : Marshall Islands
596 : Martinique (French Antilles)
222 : Mauritania
230 : Mauritius
269 : Mayolte
52 : Mexico
691 : Micronesia (F.S. of Polynesia)
373 : Moldova
33 : Monaco
976 : Mongolia
473 : Montserrat
212 : Morocco
258 : Mozambique
95 : Myanmar (former Burma)
264 : Namibia (former South-West Africa)
674 : Nauru
977 : Nepal
31 : Netherlands
599 : Netherlands Antilles
869 : Nevis
687 : New Caledonia
64 : New Zealand
505 : Nicaragua
227 : Niger
234 : Nigeria
683 : Niue
850 : North Korea
1 670 : North Mariana Islands (Saipan)
47 : Norway
968 : Oman
92 : Pakistan
680 : Palau
507 : Panama
675 : Papua New Guinea
595 : Paraguay
51 : Peru
63 : Philippines
48 : Poland
351 : Portugal (includes Azores)
1 787 : Puerto Rico
974 : Qatar
262 : Reunion (France)
40 : Romania
7 : Russia
250 : Rwanda (Rwandese Republic)
670 : Saipan
378 : San Marino
239 : Sao Tome and Principe
966 : Saudi Arabia
221 : Senegal
381 : Serbia and Montenegro
248 : Seychelles
232 : Sierra Leone
65 : Singapore
421 : Slovakia
386 : Slovenia
677 : Solomon Islands
252 : Somalia
27 : South Africa
34 : Spain
94 : Sri Lanka
290 : St. Helena
869 : St. Kitts/Nevis
508 : St. Pierre & (et) Miquelon (France)
249 : Sudan
597 : Suriname
268 : Swaziland
46 : Sweden
41 : Switzerland
963 : Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)
689 : Tahiti (French Polynesia)
886 : Taiwan
7 : Tajikistan
255 : Tanzania (includes Zanzibar)
66 : Thailand
228 : Togo (Togolese Republic)
690 : Tokelau
676 : Tonga
1 868 : Trinidad and Tobago
216 : Tunisia
90 : Turkey
993 : Turkmenistan
688 : Tuvalu (Ellice Islands)
256 : Uganda
380 : Ukraine
971 : United Arab Emirates
44 : United Kingdom
598 : Uruguay
1 : USA
7 : Uzbekistan
678 : Vanuatu (New Hebrides)
39 : Vatican City
58 : Venezuela
84 : Viet Nam
1 340 : Virgin Islands
681 : Wallis and Futuna
685 : Western Samoa
381 : Yemen (People's Democratic Republic of)
967 : Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen)
381 : Yugoslavia (discontinued)
243 : Zaire
260 : Zambia
263 : Zimbabwe

6. How to make international calls for free

a picture of a phone screen with Whatsapp icon

WhatsApp and other free calling apps are life savers!

The information in this list of tips and how-to reminders will be useful to you as you make international calls. Here’s another pro-tip for you: Avoid international country codes altogether and use a web-based or Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) application.

Essentially, these programs will use an internet connection (including WiFi) to allow you to communicate with other people around the world. Some are free, and some are fee-based. All will require you to have a working internet connection and some support video.

Some will include ads in order to subsidize the cost of the tech, and most will require a connection higher than third-generation mobile technology (commonly known as 3G) on your phone.

There are all kinds of apps available (some specifically designed for iOS, others for Android) and you can always use stand-by options like Skype, Mac Messenger, and FaceTime. The list below is also a great place to start exploring other options for apps that run on mobile phones and/or apps on tablets or laptops.

WhatsApp: allows you to make voice or video calls and send SMS text messages to anyone else who has the app
Viber: one of the more popular options for international calls, and also requires the person you’re trying to communicate with to have the app
IMO: a fantastic option if you’re in a place where 3G is not readily available, it works on 2G in places with more limited internet
PopTox: if you need to call a landline using an internet connection, you can use this web-based platform to dial any kind of number, even if the recipient doesn’t have the app
LINE: an app that lets you call anyone, share photos, send text messages, and even catch up on the news (after you watch a short series of ads)
Vonage Mobile: one of the original VOIP platforms, Vonage launched in 2001 and is still going strong, providing call and video capabilities
VOIPBuster and VOIPStunt: super-basic, limited features, but if a free PC-to-PC call is what you need, this will do the trick
Voxofon: another service that’s been around for well over a decade, providing voice, text, video, and photos to international users with the same app
WeChat: a great service for you if you’re traveling in Asia, especially in China (where many other services can be banned); can be used on Apple, Android, and a variety of computer platforms

In addition to this list, you might also consider the Rebtel service, which allows you to make free international calls to over 53 international area codes without a data or wifi connection by using local numbers to reach other Rebtel users in a sort of direct-connection opportunity.

Whether you use Wi-Fi or VOIP (or something else) to connect, it pays to see if you can make your international calling code calls for free.

In an emergency abroad, you’ll want to know how to phone home

a cheerful traveler wearing a hijab is making a call on the phone

Knowing how to make an international call in case of emergency will put you more at ease while abroad.

If you’re in the US and need to reach someone abroad, you’ll likely have the tools you’re already familiar with at your disposal. But if you’re already abroad—especially if you’re in an emergency situation—it’s going to be very important for you to have the information you will need to maintain communication with those who can provide support and keep you safe.

After all, preparedness is the best way to make sure that you have the best possible travel abroad experience.