How to Call UK from USA: 7 Best Methods (Free & Cheap)
How to call the UK from the USA: dial 011 44 and drop the leading 0. Compare 7 free and paid options, UK time zones, and rates from $0.021/min.
To call the UK from the USA, dial 011 44, then the UK number without its leading 0: a London landline 020 7123 4567 becomes 011 44 20 7123 4567. WhatsApp calls are free if both sides have internet, and BubblyPhone calls UK landlines from $0.021/min in your browser.
⚡ Quick Answer
How to Dial UK from USA
Standard Format from USA to UK:
UK Area Codes Quick Reference
| City | Area Code | Landline Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 20 | +44 20 XXXX XXXX | 8-digit local numbers |
| Manchester | 161 | +44 161 XXX XXXX | 7-digit local numbers |
| Birmingham | 121 | +44 121 XXX XXXX | 7-digit local numbers |
| Edinburgh | 131 | +44 131 XXX XXXX | 7-digit local numbers |
| Glasgow | 141 | +44 141 XXX XXXX | 7-digit local numbers |
| All UK Mobiles | 7xxx | +44 7XXX XXX XXX | 10 digits, starts with 7 |
7 Best Ways to Call UK from USA
1. BubblyPhone - Best Overall Value
BubblyPhone offers the best combination of price and convenience for calling the UK. From $0.021/minute to UK landlines and $0.06 to mobiles, it costs a fraction of the $1.99 to $4.00 a minute carriers charge without an add-on. Your contacts in the UK don't need to install any app.
- 1. Visit BubblyPhone.com in your browser
- 2. Buy credits (top-ups start at $5)
- 3. Enter UK phone number with +44
- 4. Click call - works instantly in Chrome, Safari, Edge
- • UK landlines from $0.021/min
- • Crystal clear HD voice quality
- • No app installation needed
- • Works on any device with browser
- • UK mobiles from $0.06/min
- • No subscription required
- • Requires internet connection
- • Not completely free (but extremely cheap)
2. WhatsApp - Most Popular Free Option
WhatsApp is extremely popular in the UK with over 40 million active users. If your contacts in the UK have WhatsApp, this is an excellent free option for voice and video calls.
- • Completely free
- • Video calling included
- • Very popular in UK
- • Group calls supported
- • End-to-end encryption
- • Both parties need the app
- • Both need internet connection
- • Can't call regular phone numbers
3. Google Voice - US Residents Best Choice
Google Voice provides a free US phone number and charges $0.01/minute to call the UK (both mobiles and landlines). Only available for US residents, but offers excellent value with additional features.
- • Same low rate as BubblyPhone
- • Free US phone number
- • Voicemail transcription
- • Call forwarding
- • SMS to US numbers free
- • US residents only
- • Requires Google account
- • Setup process needed
4. FaceTime Audio - For iPhone Users
If both you and your contact in the UK use iPhones or Apple devices, FaceTime Audio provides excellent free calls with superior audio quality.
- • Completely free
- • Excellent audio quality
- • Built into iPhones
- • Very easy to use
- • Both need Apple devices
- • iPhone/iPad/Mac only
- • Requires internet connection
5. Facebook Messenger - Free Video Calls
Facebook Messenger is widely used in the UK. If your contacts are on Facebook, Messenger provides excellent free voice and video calls.
- • Free voice and video calls
- • Most people have Facebook
- • Works on all devices
- • Screen sharing available
- • Both need Facebook accounts
- • Requires internet connection
- • Can't call regular phone numbers
6. International Calling Cards
Traditional calling cards are still available but have become outdated due to hidden fees, expiration dates, and poor quality. Not recommended unless you have no internet access.
- • No internet required
- • Available at retail stores
- • Can use from any phone
- • Hidden fees and connection charges
- • Minutes often expire
- • Poor call quality
- • 2-10x more expensive than VoIP
7. Traditional Carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile)
Only with an add-on: Without one, AT&T charges $4.00 a minute to call the UK, T-Mobile $3.00 and Verizon $1.99, to landlines and mobiles alike. All three sell a $15/month add-on with unlimited UK calls, which is worth it if you call the UK for several hours a month.
- • AT&T: $240.00
- • T-Mobile: $180.00
- • Verizon: $119.40
- • BubblyPhone: $3.60
Cost to Call the UK from the US, by Provider
Without an add-on, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon charge $1.99 to $4.00 a minute to call the UK, so a 10-minute call to a mobile costs $19.90 to $40.00. BubblyPhone charges $0.021/min to landlines and $0.06/min to mobiles, so the same call costs $0.60.
The $15/month unlimited add-ons start to pay off once you call the UK for more than about 250 minutes a month to mobiles, or 710 minutes to landlines. Below that, paying per minute is cheaper.
Google Voice, Google Fi and Mint Mobile charge less than we do for standard numbers in the UK. If you already use one of them, use it.
| Service | Extra per month | Landline /min | Mobile /min | 5-min mobile call | 10-min mobile call | 30-min mobile call |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay per minute, no monthly fee | ||||||
AT&T Pay per use | — | $4.00 | $4.00 | $20.00 | $40.00 | $120.00 |
T-Mobile Pay per use | — | $3.00 | $3.00 | $15.00 | $30.00 | $90.00 |
Verizon Pay per minute | — | $1.99 | $1.99 | $9.95 | $19.90 | $59.70 |
BubblyPhone Pay as you go, billed per started minute | — | $0.021 | $0.06 | $0.30 | $0.60 | $1.80 |
Google Voice Pay per minute EE, O2, Vodafone and Three mobiles; other UK mobiles $0.28/min | — | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.05 | $0.10 | $0.30 |
Google Fi Pay per minute EE, O2, Vodafone and Three mobiles; other UK mobiles $0.28/min. Free on Unlimited Premium | — | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.05 | $0.10 | $0.30 |
Mint Mobile Included in every plan | — | Included | Included | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Monthly add-ons | ||||||
Verizon Global Calling add-on | $5/mo | $0.06 | $0.26 | $1.30 | $2.60 | $7.80 |
AT&T International Calling add-on Needs a plan with unlimited talk | $15/mo | Included | Included | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
T-Mobile Stateside International Talk add-on | $15/mo | Included | Included | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Verizon Global Calling Plus add-on | $15/mo | Included | Included | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Cricket International Calling add-on No pay-per-use option; needs a $40+ plan | $15/mo | Included | Included | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Rates for calls from the US, from each provider's own published rates, checked September 30, 2026: AT&T international long distance rates; T-Mobile international calling rates lookup; Verizon pay-per-minute international rates; Cricket international calling countries; Google Voice calling rates; Google Fi international calling rates; Mint Mobile international calling. Providers change prices without notice. Add-on call costs exclude the monthly fee. None of the carriers states its billing increment; BubblyPhone bills per started minute.
Understanding Time Zones: USA to UK
The United Kingdom uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter and British Summer Time (BST, GMT+1) in summer. Here's how UK time compares to US time zones:
| US Time Zone | Hours Behind UK | When it's 9 AM in UK | When it's 9 PM in UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern (EST/EDT) | 5 hours | 4 AM | 4 PM |
| Central (CST/CDT) | 6 hours | 3 AM | 3 PM |
| Mountain (MST/MDT) | 7 hours | 2 AM | 2 PM |
| Pacific (PST/PDT) | 8 hours | 1 AM | 1 PM |
Best Times to Call UK from USA
- ✓Early Morning (USA): 7-10 AM EST = 12-3 PM UK (lunchtime, good for business)
- ✓Afternoon (USA): 2-6 PM EST = 7-11 PM UK (evening, good for personal calls)
- ✗Avoid: 10 PM - 5 AM EST = 3-10 AM UK (overnight)
8 Money-Saving Tips for Calling UK
1. Don't Pay Your Carrier's Per-Minute Rate
Carrier pay-per-use rates to the UK run $1.99 to $4.00 a minute. BubblyPhone charges $0.021 to landlines and $0.06 to mobiles, and Google Voice charges $0.01 to landlines and the four big UK mobile networks.
2. Use WhatsApp for Free Personal Calls
WhatsApp is extremely popular in the UK with 40+ million users. For personal calls with family and friends who have smartphones, WhatsApp provides excellent free voice and video calls.
3. Buy Credits in Bulk
Many VoIP services including BubblyPhone offer discounts when you buy larger credit amounts. Purchasing $50+ worth of credits can save an additional 5-10%.
4. Heavy Caller? Price the Carrier Add-On
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon each sell a $15/month add-on with unlimited UK calls. At BubblyPhone rates, $15 buys about 250 minutes to UK mobiles or 700 to landlines, so the add-on only wins if you call the UK more than that every month.
5. Schedule Calls During UK Business Hours
For business calls, call during UK working hours (9 AM - 6 PM UK = 4 AM - 1 PM EST). This ensures you reach people and shows professional respect for their time.
6. Use WiFi for Better Call Quality
For VoIP calls with BubblyPhone or WhatsApp, WiFi typically provides better quality than mobile data. Encourage your contacts in the UK to connect to WiFi for clearer conversations.
7. Combine Free and Paid Services
Use WhatsApp for casual personal calls and BubblyPhone for calling landlines, business numbers, or people without WhatsApp. This gives you the best of both worlds.
8. Remember UK Public Holidays
UK has different public holidays than the US (Boxing Day, Early May Bank Holiday, etc.). Check UK holiday calendar before making important business calls.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Not Dropping the Leading "0"
Wrong: +44 020 7123 4567 (London)
Right: +44 20 7123 4567
UK phone numbers include a leading "0" for domestic calls, but you must drop it when calling from abroad.
❌ Using Traditional Carrier International Dialing
Dialing 011 44 from an AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon phone with no international add-on costs $1.99 to $4.00 a minute, so a 10-minute call can cost $40.
Solution: Use BubblyPhone from $0.021/min, or add your carrier's unlimited plan if you call the UK for hours every month.
❌ Ignoring Time Zone Differences
Calling at 10 PM EST means it's 3 AM in the UK. Always check the time difference before calling, especially for personal calls.
❌ Assuming All Free Apps Work
Free apps like WhatsApp only work when both parties have the app installed and internet access. For calling regular phone numbers, you need a paid service like BubblyPhone.
❌ Confusing Mobile and Landline Formats
UK mobile numbers start with 7 and don't have area codes. Landlines have area codes like 20 (London), 161 (Manchester), etc. Make sure you're using the correct format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to call UK from USA?
The cheapest paid options are BubblyPhone ($0.021/minute to UK landlines, $0.06 to mobiles) and Google Voice ($0.01/minute to landlines and to EE, O2, Vodafone and Three mobiles). For free calls, use WhatsApp if both sides have the app and internet. Without an add-on, AT&T charges $4.00 a minute, T-Mobile $3.00 and Verizon $1.99.
How do I dial UK from USA?
To call UK from USA, dial: 011 + 44 + Area Code + Local Number (or use +44 instead of 011). Always drop the leading "0" from UK numbers. For example: +44 20 7123 4567 for London landline, or +44 7700 900123 for mobile.
What is UK's country code?
UK's country code is +44. When calling from USA, you dial 011 (US exit code) + 44 (UK country code) + the local number. On mobile phones, you can use +44 directly instead of 011-44.
Can I call UK for free?
Yes, you can make completely free calls to UK using WhatsApp (40M+ UK users), FaceTime Audio (iPhone to iPhone), or Facebook Messenger. However, both parties need the app installed and internet access. To call regular UK phone numbers without requiring the recipient to have an app, use affordable paid services like BubblyPhone from $0.021/minute.
How much do AT&T and Verizon charge to call UK?
Without an add-on, AT&T charges $4.00/minute to call the UK, T-Mobile $3.00/minute and Verizon $1.99/minute, to landlines and mobiles alike. Verizon's $5/month Global Calling add-on drops that to $0.06 for landlines and $0.26 for mobiles, and all three sell a $15/month add-on with unlimited UK calls (rates checked on each carrier's site, September 2026).
What is the time difference between USA and UK?
The UK is 5-8 hours ahead of the US depending on your time zone: Eastern (+5 hours), Central (+6), Mountain (+7), Pacific (+8). The time difference can vary by 1 hour during DST transitions as the US and UK change clocks on different dates.
What are the major UK area codes?
Major UK area codes include: 20 (London), 161 (Manchester), 121 (Birmingham), 131 (Edinburgh), 141 (Glasgow). UK mobile numbers start with 7 and don't use area codes: +44 7XXX XXX XXX.
Why BubblyPhone is the Best Choice for Calling UK
Start Calling UK from $0.021/min
97–99% less than AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile pay-per-use rates
Lowest Rates
From $0.021/minute to UK landlines
No App Required
Your contacts receive normal phone calls - no app installation needed
Crystal Clear Quality
HD voice quality better than traditional phone calls
No subscription required • Pay as you go • Cancel anytime
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Bottom Line: For calling UK from USA, BubblyPhone offers the best combination of price (from $0.021/min), convenience (no app required), and reliability. WhatsApp works great for free personal calls when both parties have internet, but for calling regular phone numbers or business contacts, BubblyPhone costs 97–99% less than carrier pay-per-use rates.