How to Call the UK from the US: A Guide for SMBs and Startups

Imagine you’ve just landed a potential partnership with a tech firm in London or you're managing a remote contractor in Manchester. You pull up your dial pad — and pause. How do you actually call the UK from the US?

If you’re running a startup or a growing small busines, international calling shouldn’t be a headache. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to correctly dial UK phone numbers, how the UK country code works, and how to make international calls without blowing your budget — all with tools that fit your business.

What’s the UK Country Code?

The UK country code is +44. Anytime you make a call from the US to the UK, you’ll need to enter this code after the US exit code. This country code ensures your call is routed through international gateways to the correct destination.

The United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, so +44 applies to all these regions.

How to Call the UK from the U.S., Step by Step

Here’s a simple breakdown of the correct dialing format, whether you’re calling a UK landline or mobile phone.

For UK Landlines:

1. Dial 011 – the US exit code.
2. Dial 44 – the UK country code.
3. Dial the area code – omit the leading 0.
4. Dial the local number.

Example: To call a London number (020 7946 0958) dial: 011-44-20-7946-0958

For UK Mobile Phones:

1. Dial 011 (or use "+" on a mobile phone).
2. Dial 44.
3. Dial the mobile number, skipping the first 0.

Example: To call the UK mobile 07700 900123 dial: 011-44-7700-900123

Pro Tip:

On smartphones, long-press the 0 key to insert a “+”, which replaces the 011 exit code. This means you can dial +44-7700-900123 directly.

Common the UK Area Codes

Here are some of the most common area codes in the UK, along with the locations they correspond to:

Use these codes to ensure your call is routed to the correct region.

When Should SMBs Make International Calls?

Whether you’re expanding international operations, managing a distributed team, or following up with UK-based clients, getting the format right ensures your calls go through without a hitch.

With time zone differences (usually 5–8 hours ahead of the U.S.), clear, reliable calling becomes even more important. The right tools like DialLink help you maintain a professional image while keeping global communication simple.

How Much Does It Cost to Call the UK?

International calling rates vary by provider. Traditional phone companies may charge $0.30–$0.60 per minute, while cloud-based VoIP systems like DialLink offer significantly lower per-minute rates or flat-rate international calling options.

Check our international rates to get an estimate for your UK calls.

Make International Calls the Easy Way with DialLink

DialLink is a cloud phone system built for growing businesses. It gives you the tools to call the UK (and 100+ countries) with ease — all while projecting a professional presence.

Here’s why it’s perfect for international calls:

• Affordable international calling with transparent pricing – No hidden fees.
• AI voice agents to answer or route calls 24/7 - Automatically answer calls from the UK, even after hours.
• Mobile, desktop, and desk phone support – Make calls from anywhere, using any device.
• Local and international number availability – Build a global presence with ease.
• Plug-and-play setup — no IT team required

With DialLink, international communication is as easy as local calling — no steep learning curve, no hidden fees.