How to Call the US from Mexico? Dialing Codes & Tips

The US phone number format while dialing from Mexico includes the exit code to signal an international call, the US country code, and the area code for the region you’re dialing in the United States. However, dialing US toll-free numbers like those starting with 800 requires a slightly different process to connect successfully.

1. Dial Mexico’s Exit Code – 00 
   To make an international call from Mexico, start by dialing 00, which is Mexico’s international exit code. If you're dialing from a mobile phone, you can replace 00 with a plus sign (+). This tells the phone system you're placing an international call.
2. Dial the US Country Code – 1 
   Right after the exit code, dial the country code for the United States, which is 1. So far, you should have dialed: 00 1
3. Enter the US Area Code 
   Next, dial the 3-digit area code for the specific region or city in the US you’re trying to reach. For example, 213 for Los Angeles or 212 for New York City.
4. Dial the Local Phone Number 
   Finally, dial the 7-digit local phone number of the person or business you’re calling in the US. Your full number should now look like: 00 (exit code) + 1 (US country code) + Area Code + Local Number. 
   
   If you’re dialing from a mobile phone, you can replace 00 with a plus sign (+), like: +1 212 555 1234.

💡 For Example: If you are calling a number in New York City with the local number 555-1234, you would dial 00 (Mexico’s exit code), 1 (the US country code), 212 (the area code for New York City), and finally the local number 555-1234. i.e. 00-1-212-555-1234.

When calling the US from Mexico, you must understand the role of area codes in ensuring your call connects correctly. The US is divided into various regions, each with its own area code that helps route your call to the appropriate location. These three-digit codes come right after the country code and connect you with the right city or state.

Below are some common area codes across the United States:

The US and Mexico share several time zones, and you must understand the time difference when making international calls. Mexico spans four time zones—Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Eastern—while the US has six primary time zones: Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Alaska, and Hawaii-Aleutian.

When calling the US from Mexico, consider the following time zone differences:

Morning or late afternoon are ideal times when the time difference is minimal, particularly between Central and Eastern time zones.

If you’re calling from the Central or Eastern parts of Mexico to the Pacific time zone in the US, late morning or early afternoon works well.

Using a VoIP phone service is the most affordable way to call the US from Mexico. VoIP allows you to make calls over the Internet, avoiding high international fees.