Normally, international mobile-to-mobile call charges are very high. Calling from the United Kingdom to the United States using regular phone lines can quickly become expensive.

There are many free calling options available. Popular apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and other VoIP services allow you to make free UK-to-USA calls over the internet. These are the best choices for personal conversations with friends and family.

For business-related calls from the UK to the USA, using professional online meeting platforms is a smarter option. Tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Zoho Meeting, Google Meet, and other collaboration apps provide high-quality audio and video calls, screen sharing, and additional features that are ideal for professional communication.

In this article, we will explain everything  you need to know how to call USA from UK. We’ll cover the correct country code, how much it may cost, the best time to call, important U.S. area codes, and both free and paid calling options. Our goal is to help you make international calls easily—without confusion, without hidden charges, and without any hassle.

How to Call United States of America from United Kingdom

If you want to make a call from London to America, just follow a few simple steps. This will help you connect your call to the right person quickly and without any confusion.

Dial the UK International Exit Code: Start by Dialling “00” or “+”. This allows you to make an international call from the UK.

Enter the USA Country Code: Next, dial the country code for the United States, which is “1”

Dial the Area Code: USA The USA has many area codes depending on the city or region. New York – 212, Los Angeles – 213

Dial the Local Phone Number: Finally, enter the 7-digit local phone number of the person you want to call.

Fully Dialling Format

00 + 1 + 213+ 4354324

Example: Call from London to New York Landline
00 + 1 + 212 + 353234 (00 1 212 353 234)

Example: Call from Birmingham to Washington Mobile
00 + 1 + 202 + 6565656 (00 1 202 656 5656)

Popular USA Area Codes for International Calling

If the caller knows the correct area code, making a call from the UK to the USA becomes much easier. Here is the list of popular area codes:

City / Region Area Code Example Dialing Format (from UK)
New York City, NY 212 00 + 1 + 212 + Local Number
Los Angeles, CA 213 00 + 1 + 213 + Local Number
Chicago, IL 312 00 + 1 + 312 + Local Number
Washington, D.C. 202 00 + 1 + 202 + Local Number
Miami, FL 305 00 + 1 + 305 + Local Number
San Francisco, CA 415 00 + 1 + 415 + Local Number
Boston, MA 617 00 + 1 + 617 + Local Number
Dallas, TX 214 00 + 1 + 214 + Local Number
Houston, TX 713 00 + 1 + 713 + Local Number
Seattle, WA 206 00 + 1 + 206 + Local Number
Las Vegas, NV 702 00 + 1 + 702 + Local Number
Phoenix, AZ 602 00 + 1 + 602 + Local Number

Free Solutions for Making Calls from the UK to the USA

VoIP is one of the best free options for calling the USA from the UK. By using internet-based apps, you can enjoy clear call quality without traditional call charges.

Messenger: You can use Messenger to make free calls from the UK to the USA. It’s an internet-based app that supports voice and video calls, messaging, photo sharing, and document transfer. Keep in mind, it works only for Messenger-to-Messenger communication.

Zoom: Zoom is one of the most popular internet-based messaging and video conferencing tools. It works on both mobile apps and web browsers, making it easy to call from London to New York. The platform also offers paid plans with advanced AI-powered features.

Viber: Viber allows free Viber-to-Viber calls from the UK to anywhere in the USA—you just need mobile data or a stable internet connection. Users can make calls, send messages, and share media for both personal and business use. Viber also provides the option to get a USA local phone number.

WhatsApp: WhatsApp is one of the most widely used apps worldwide. With it, you can easily make video calls, audio calls, and send messages New York from UK or anywhere in the USA—for free. WhatsApp works on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), making it a reliable choice for international communication.

Mobile Network Costs for Calling the USA from the UK

Calling the USA directly from a UK mobile number can be very costly. The charges depend on your mobile network operator, the type of plan you are on, and each provider’s different international calling rates.

Standard Call Rates: UK mobile operators (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three, etc.) charge £3.00 to £8 per minute for calls to the USA.

Vodafone: Calls from the UK to USA mobiles or landlines cost about £3.00/min

O2: Calls USA to UK mobiles or landlines cost about £5.00/min

Virtual Phone Numbers Offer the Cheapest Way to Call USA from UK

Calling the USA from United Kingdom can be expensive with regular phones. A UK virtual phone number is the easy and cheapest way to make these calls.

Benefits of Virtual Phone Numbers:

  • Low-Cost Calls: Make calls to the USA at very affordable rates.
  • Advanced Features: Get call forwarding, IVR, call recording, monitoring, and more.
  • Easy to Use: Set up online and manage calls from anywhere.

Many businesses worldwide use virtual phone numbers from The Telephony Co because they save money and offer useful features.

Best Time to Call from UK to America

Eastern Time (ET)

Time Difference: UK is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Time.

Best Time to Call: 1 PM – 6 PM UK time (8 AM – 1 PM ET)

Eastern Cities:  New York, Washington D.C., and Miami.

Central Time (CT)

Time Difference: UK is 6 hours ahead of Central Time.

Best Time to Call: 12 PM – 5 PM UK time (6 AM – 11 AM CT)

Central Cities: Chicago, Dallas, and Houston

Mountain Time (MT)

Time Difference: UK is 7 hours ahead of Mountain Time.

Best Time to Call: 11 AM – 4 PM UK time (4 AM – 9 AM MT)

Mountain Cities: Denver and Phoenix

Pacific Time (PT)

Time Difference: UK is 8 hours ahead of Pacific Time.

Best Time to Call: 10 AM – 3 PM UK time (2 AM – 7 AM PT)

Pacific Cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle

Why The Telephony Co is the Smart Choice for UK–USA Calls

  • Local, Toll-Free, and Virtual USA Numbers
  • Low-cost international calling plans
  • Call monitoring, routing, and analytics
  • 24/7 Customer Support Service

Conclusion

Calling the USA from the UK is simple if you know the correct dialling format and the best method to use. For personal calls, free apps like WhatsApp or Messenger are great. For frequent or professional calls, paid options such as calling cards, carrier plans, or virtual numbers provide more reliability.

If you’re a business, choosing a provider like The Telephony Co ensures cost-effective and professional communication with your USA customers.

FAQ's

How can I call the USA for free from the UK?

You can use free internet-based apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger, or Google Meet to make free calls.

Which is the cheapest paid method to call the USA from the UK?

The cheapest options are international calling cards or virtual numbers offered by providers like The Telephony Co.

What is the best time to call the USA from the UK?

The UK is 5–8 hours ahead of the USA. The best time to call is between 2 PM and 9 PM UK time, which aligns with US working hours.

Why should businesses use virtual numbers to call the USA?

Virtual numbers allow local presence in the USA, lower costs, and make it easier for US customers to reach UK businesses.