How to call USA from Australia: codes, costs and tips

Here's how to call USA from Australia: dial 0011 (Australia's international exit code), then 1 (the US country code), then the 10-digit US number. From a mobile, you can type +1 instead of 0011 1. So a New York number written as (212) 555 0123 becomes 0011 1 212 555 0123 from a landline, or +1 212 555 0123 from a mobile.

This guide covers calling internationally from Australia to the US step by step: what each part of the number means, how to dial from a mobile or landline, what calls usually cost, free and cheap alternatives, the time difference, and the mistakes that make calls fail.

One thing to be upfront about: call rates depend entirely on your Australian plan, and they change often. We don't quote carrier prices here. Check your own plan before you make long calls, especially from a landline.

How do I call the United States from Australia, step by step?

Dial the exit code, the country code, the area code and the local number, in that order.

1. Exit code: 0011. This tells the network you're calling overseas. On a mobile, you can use + instead.
2. US country code: 1. Every US number uses country code 1.
3. Area code: three digits. For example, 212 or 917 for New York City, 213 or 310 for Los Angeles, or 312 for Chicago.
4. Local number: seven digits. Dial it as written, without dashes or spaces.

Calling from	What you dial	Example
Australian landline	0011 + 1 + area code + number	0011 1 212 555 0123
Australian mobile	+1 + area code + number	+1 212 555 0123

To type + on a mobile, press and hold 0 on the keypad, or use the symbol keyboard. Using + also means the number works the same way if you save it in your contacts and later travel.

What does each part of a US number mean?

A US number has a three-digit area code followed by a seven-digit local number.

You'll often see US numbers written as (212) 555-0123 or 212-555-0123. Sometimes there's a 1 in front, like 1-212-555-0123. That leading 1 is the country code, so don't dial it twice.

US mobile and landline numbers look the same, and you dial them the same way. Unlike Australia, there's no separate mobile prefix such as 04.

What does calling internationally from Australia cost?

It depends on your plan: some include US calls, others charge per minute or need an add-on.

Here's what to check before you dial:

• Mobile plans. Many Australian SIM-only and postpaid plans include some international minutes, and some include unlimited calls to the US. Others charge per minute.
• International add-ons. Some carriers sell international calling packs that bring the per-minute rate down.
• Landlines. Home phone plans often charge more for overseas calls than mobile plans do, unless you have an international calling pack.
• Calls to US toll-free numbers. Numbers starting with 800, 888, 877 and similar are free inside the US, but they often can't be reached from abroad, or may be charged as an international call.

The safest move is to look up "international calls" in your carrier's app or on your plan summary before a long call.

How do I call the United States from Australia for free?

Use an internet calling app over Wi-Fi or mobile data, as long as the other person has the same app.

Apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime, Signal, Messenger and Google Meet make voice and video calls over the internet. On Wi-Fi they don't use your call allowance, and on mobile data they use a small amount of your data allowance.

• Both people need the app. App-to-app calls only work if the person in the US uses the same service.
• Voice calls use little data. An audio call typically uses around 0.5–1 MB per minute; video uses much more.
• Calling a regular US number. Some apps and services let you call US landlines and mobiles for a fee, which can be cheaper than a standard international rate.

If you're often calling family or work in the US, an app call is usually the cheapest option, and the call quality is generally good on a stable connection.

What time is it in the US when you call?

If you're working out how to call USA from Australia at a sensible hour, remember the US is roughly 14 to 19 hours behind Sydney.

The exact gap depends on the US time zone and daylight saving in both countries, which run at opposite times of year:

• New York (Eastern time): about 14–16 hours behind Sydney.
• Los Angeles (Pacific time): about 17–19 hours behind Sydney.
• Hawaii: further behind still, and Hawaii doesn't use daylight saving.

As a rough rule, an early-morning call from the east coast of Australia reaches the US mainland in the previous afternoon or evening. Your phone's world clock is the easiest way to check before you dial.

How do you call home when you're in the US?

Use your Australian number on roaming, or use a US data eSIM and call over an app.

If you're the one travelling, the direction flips. You can keep your Australian SIM on international roaming, but roaming calls and data can be expensive on some plans.

Many travellers use a data eSIM in the US instead and make calls over WhatsApp or FaceTime. For example, Anon eSIM works on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile at $2.80/GB, billed per megabyte, and you keep your Australian SIM in the phone for texts and two-factor codes. It's data-only, so it doesn't include a US phone number.

It's also an anonymous eSIM: there's no ID or account at checkout. Your payment provider and the US networks still see their own data. For more on choosing a US eSIM, see our guide to eSIM cards in the USA.

What about office phones, hotels and VoIP lines?

You may need an extra digit to get an outside line before you dial the international number.

Many office phone systems and some hotel phones need a prefix, often 0 or 9, to reach an outside line. In that case you'd dial the prefix, then 0011, then 1 and the US number. Hotels may also add a service charge to international calls, so ask at reception first.

Internet-based home phones and business VoIP systems usually accept the standard 0011 format, and some also accept +1. If a call won't connect, check the system's dialling instructions or ask your provider whether international calls are enabled on the line.

What are the most common mistakes?

When people learn how to call USA from Australia, most failed calls come down to the exit code or an extra digit.

• Dialling 00 instead of 0011. Some countries use 00 as their exit code, but Australia uses 0011.
• Adding the 1 twice. If the US number is written as 1-212-555-0123, don't add another 1 after 0011.
• Dropping the area code. US numbers need all 10 digits after the country code.
• Forgetting the +. Saving US contacts with +1 avoids problems when you later call from another country.
• Expecting toll-free numbers to work. Many US 800 numbers block or charge calls from abroad. Look for a regular local number on the company's website instead.

Frequently asked questions

How do I call the United States from Australia from a landline? Dial 0011, then 1, then the area code and number. For example, 0011 1 212 555 0123.

Is calling internationally from Australia cheaper on a mobile or a landline? It depends on your plans. Many mobile plans include some or unlimited US minutes, while landlines often charge per minute without an international pack. Check both before a long call.

Do I need to dial 0 before the US area code? No. US area codes don't start with a trunk 0 the way Australian ones do. Just dial the three-digit area code after the country code.

Can I text a US number from Australia? Yes. Use the same format, +1 followed by the area code and number. Your carrier may charge international SMS rates.

What is the quickest way to remember how to call USA from Australia? On a mobile, save the number as +1 followed by the 10-digit US number. That one format works from Australia and from most other countries.

The bottom line

Once you know how to call USA from Australia, it's simple: 0011 or +, then 1, then the 10-digit number. Check your plan's international rates first, and use an internet calling app when you can to keep costs down.

If you're heading to the US yourself, our guide to the best eSIM for visitors to the USA explains how to stay online and call home over data, and the United States eSIM page has the current rate.