International calls to the UK: what you need to know
Time difference
The difference in time zones between the UK and US can be confusing for those trying to make a call. For those in the US, it can be hard to know what time to phone in order to catch someone in the UK. Likewise, for those in the UK, it may be difficult to determine what time is best to dial someone in the US.
In Great Britain, the time is five hours ahead of the US East Coast and eight hours ahead of the US West Coast. This means that when it is noon in New York, it is 5 p.m. in London. And when it is noon in Los Angeles, it is 8 p.m. in London.
The chart below will help you understand the time zone differences and find the best time for a chat with your British counterpart.
|
USA |
UK |
|
Eastern Time Zone (EDT): UTC-4 |
+5 hours |
|
Central Time Zone (CDT): UTC-5 |
+6 hours |
|
Mountain Time Zone (MDT): UTC-6 |
+7 hours |
|
Pacific Time Zone (PDT): UTC-7 |
+8 hours |
|
Alaska Time Zone (AKDT): UTC-8 |
+9 hours |
|
Hawaii Time Zone (HST): UTC-10 |
+11 hours |
UK country code
When you're about to call the United Kingdom, another important thing to bear in mind is its country code. It serves as an international access code. So, after dialing the US exit code ("011"), you should enter the UK country code, which is "44". And only after that, proceed with the phone number.
UK area codes
When calling the UK, it's also crucial to know which area code to use. You can find a complete list of them on the Country Code website. This site has a handy international call checker tool, which you can use to find out the correct sequence of digits to enter before phoning another country.
Here is the list of the most popular British city codes:
|
City |
Code |
|
Aberdeen |
1224 |
|
Belfast |
28 |
|
Birmingham |
121 |
|
Cambridge |
1223 |
|
Cardiff |
29 |
|
Coventry |
24 |
|
Brighton |
1273 |
|
Edinburgh |
131 |
|
Glasgow |
141 |
|
Bristol |
117 |
|
Leeds |
0113 |
|
London |
020 |
|
Manchester |
0161 |
|
Portsmouth |
023 |
Pricing
If you make frequent calls to another country, the price of such a service may be your greatest concern. And not for nothing. The cost of dialing a UK phone number from the United States will depend on your telephone provider and the plan you have with them. Typically, there is an access charge for making an international call, as well as a per-minute cost for the call itself. Usually, it's the most expensive type of connection.
Ways to reduce calling costs
There are a few ways to save money on overseas calls. One way is to use prepaid calling cards that give you a certain number of minutes to call abroad at a set price. You can find such cards at most convenience stores or online. Another way is to use a VoIP service that allows for international calling online for free. You probably know some good ones - Skype, Zoom, or Whoosh. But more about them later.
How to start a call to the UK from the US: 2 effortless ways
1) A common telephone call to the United Kingdom
Before we start, it’s crucial to note that there is a slight difference in dialing UK landlines and mobiles. Hence, you should stick to our guide carefully to avoid any inconvenience.
All in all, a call to any part of the UK, whether it’s England or Scotland, from the United States takes 4 steps:
- Enter the American exit code “011”. A country exit code is used to let your provider know you’re phoning outside of the USA.
- Then, enter “44”, the British country code.
- If you’re dialing a cell phone, add 7 - the UK’s mobile code. If a landline, proceed with the area code (two to five digits).
- Finally, dial the number of a person you want to have a chat with.
Keep in mind that your provider may charge unpredictable rates that may surprise you in the most unpleasant way after receiving the bill. So, you’d better think about a cost-effective alternative.
2) Whoosh: a priceless and simpler solution
It's easy to take for granted all of the little things we do on a daily basis that make our lives simpler. One such thing is the possibility to easily call friends, family, and colleagues in other parts of the world at little or no cost. For those living in the United States, making calls to the United Kingdom can be expensive, especially if you're not mindful of your minutes. But there is a solution, and it's called Whoosh.
What is Whoosh?
Whoosh is a top VoIP app for global communication, offering a virtual space with all the necessary features for arranging online video meetings. And since it's an internet-based service, there are no long-distance fees and no need to worry about entering the wrong digits. Just open the app, log in to your virtual room, and invite everyone for a joyful chat.
Its key features:
- Unlimited Full-HD video and audio online meetings
- Outstanding sound quality with background noise muting
- AI-powered touch-up tools
- Easy join without registration - a meeting ID or a link to it is the only thing required
- A free plan with basic functionality enough for taking part in high-quality meetups
- Professional web security and personal data protection
If you're constantly wondering how to quickly call England, Scotland, Ireland, or Wales from the United States, just download Whoosh. There you will find the answers to your questions and will no longer waste a minute carefully entering long strings of numbers to finally get through to your business partner or British grandma.
