How to Call the Philippines from the USA?

Before placing a call from the US to the Philippines, you need to know the correct Philippines phone number format for international calls. This includes the US exit code, the Philippines country code, the area code or mobile prefix, and the subscriber number.

1. US Exit Code: The US exit code is 011. This code signals your phone carrier that you are making an international call from the United States. Alternatively, you can use the “+” symbol instead of 011 for convenience.
2. Philippines Country Code: The Philippines country code is 63. After dialing the US exit code, you need to enter the country code to direct the call to the Philippine telecommunications network.

3. Landline Number: Philippine landline numbers include an area code followed by a subscriber number. Area codes usually consist of one to two digits, but when dialing domestically, they appear as two to three digits because of the trunk prefix (0).
   
   However, when calling from outside the Philippines, do not include the trunk prefix.
   
   Here’s a list of popular area codes of the Philippines:

   Cities	Area Codes
   Manila, Quezon City, Pasay	02
   Abra	74
   Davao City	82
   Baguio	74
   Cebu	32
   Palawan	48
   Gingoog	88
   Bayugan City	85
   Batac	77
   Aklan	36

4. Mobile Number: Mobile numbers in the Philippines are 10-digit long and usually start with 9, but some newer prefixes start with 8, especially for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) numbers. This prefix identifies the mobile carrier network. Similar to landlines, mobile numbers use a trunk code (0) for local calls, but when calling from the US, the trunk code is omitted.

To call the Philippines from the USA, dial 011 (the US exit code) or the “+” sign, followed by 63 (Philippines country code), and then the local phone number without the trunk code 0.

To call a landline number in the Philippines, you need to dial the US exit code or the “+” sign, the Philippines country code, the area code, and the subscriber number.

1. Exit Code: Dial 011, the US exit code or the “+” sign.
2. Country Code: Dial 63, the country code for the Philippines.
3. Area Code: Dial the 1-2 digit area code (e.g., 2 for Manila, 32 for Cebu).
4. Subscriber Number: Dial the 7-8 digit subscriber number.

To reach a mobile number in the Philippines from the US, you need to dial the US exit code or the “+” sign, the Philippines country code, and the ten-digit mobile number.

1. Exit Code: Dial 011, the US exit code, or use the “+” sign.
2. Country Code: Dial 63, the country code of the Philippines.
3. Mobile Number: Dial the 10-digit mobile number.

To call a Philippines toll-free number from the US, dial the US exit code (011) or the “+” sign, the Philippines country code (63), the toll-free prefix, and the subscriber number.

1. Exit Code: Dial 011 or use the “+” sign.
2. Country Code: Dial 63, the Philippines country code.
3. Toll-Free Prefix: Enter the toll-free prefix.
4. Subscriber Number: Dial the remaining digits of the toll-free number.

Note: Calls from the United States to a Philippine toll-free number may not connect. If they do, international charges may apply depending on your carrier.

The best time to call the Philippines from the US for business purposes is during evening hours in the US, as this overlaps with standard business hours in the Philippines. For personal calls, choose a time that best fits the recipient’s schedule and local time.

The Philippines follows Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8) and does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The United States spans several time zones, so the time difference between the US and the Philippines usually ranges from 12 to 18 hours, depending on the US time zone.

The table below shows the time difference between the US and the Philippines and the best US calling times aligned with Philippine business hours (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM).

Note: The time difference may change by about one hour during Daylight Saving Time in the United States.

Calling a Philippine number from the US can cost $2.49 to $4.00 per minute with traditional carriers, while using VoIP services costs around $0.15 to $0.20 per minute. Additionally, calling cards offer $0.09 and $0.17 per minute, and social media apps let you make free calls.

Traditional phone carriers usually charge the highest rates for international calls. The cost can range from $2.49 to $4.00 per minute, depending on the provider and the type of number you call. However, some providers do offer special global plans that reduce the per-minute rate.

VoIP services provide a more affordable way to make international calls. Most providers charge around $0.15 to $0.20 per minute, which is much lower than traditional carriers. These services work through the internet and allow you to call using apps, computers, or VoIP phones. As a result, many businesses and individuals choose VoIP for regular international communication.

Calling cards are prepaid cards that provide international calling minutes. They usually offer rates between $0.09 and $0.17 per minute, depending on the card provider. Users dial a local access number and enter a PIN before making the call. Although calling cards can reduce costs, extra fees or connection charges may sometimes apply.

Social media and messaging apps allow users to make free voice and video calls over the internet. Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Viber provide free app-to-app calls as long as both users have the same app installed. These calls use Wi-Fi or mobile data instead of phone minutes.

Calling the Philippines from the US is simple once you know the correct dialing format. You just need the US exit code, the Philippines country code, the area code or mobile prefix, and the subscriber number. Also, consider the time difference between the two countries so you can call at a convenient time.

Moreover, to save on costs, using a VoIP service like Calilio is a reliable option. Calilio provides Philippines virtual numbers, which allow you to call the country at affordable rates. In addition, you get HD call quality and advanced call management features that make communication smoother for both personal and business use.