How to Call the US from Kenya: Dialing Codes, Steps, & Tips

Consider the Kenya exit code and the US phone number format (including the US country code, area code, and subscriber number) before calling the USA from Kenya. Each component plays a unique role in connecting your call accurately.

Every international call begins with an exit code. The Kenyan exit code is 000. When calling internationally, this code allows your call to leave the local phone network and reach another country.

You can replace the exit code with the ‘+’ sign when calling from mobile phones.

A US phone number has three main parts: the country code, the area code, and the subscriber number. The country code for the United States is 1, and it signals the phone system to direct your call towards the US.

Similarly, the area code is a 3-digit number that represents the specific region or city within the country. For example, the 312 area code is for Chicago, and 213 is for Los Angeles.

The final part of the US phone number is the subscriber number, a unique 7-digit number that connects directly to the person or business you’re trying to reach.

To call the USA from Kenya, enter the Kenya exit code (000), the US country code (1), the area code of the specific region, and the 7-digit local number.

However, a US mobile number already includes the area code as part of its 10-digit format. So, you don’t need to dial the area code separately when calling US mobile numbers.

To call a United States landline number from Kenya, dial the Kenyan exit code, followed by the USA country code, the area code, and the 7-digit local landline number.

• Step 1: Dial 000, Kenya’s exit code.
• Step 2: Dial 1, the US country code.
• Step 3: Enter the three-digit area code of the specific US city.
• Step 4: Dial the local landline phone number.

To call a US mobile number from Kenya, dial the Kenyan exit code, the US country code, followed by the 10-digit US mobile number.

• Step 1: Dial Kenya’s exit code, 000.
• Step 2: Dial the US country code, 1.
• Step 3: Dial the 10-digit US mobile number.

To call a USA toll-free number from Kenya, dial the exit code for Kenya (000), the USA country code (1), the toll-free prefix, and the subscriber number.

• Step 1: Dial Kenya’s exit code, 000.
• Step 2: Enter the US country code, 1.
• Step 3: Dial the three-digit toll-free prefix (typically begins with 800).
• Step 4: Lastly, enter the seven-digit local number.

Before making a call from Kenya to the US, there are two important things you should always keep in mind: the time zone differences and the cost of international calls.

Understanding the time gap helps you avoid calling someone too early or too late in their local time. On the other hand, knowing the calling cost can help you avoid unexpected international calling charges, which are typically very high.

Kenya follows a single time zone - East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3. However, the United States operates across multiple time zones, ranging from Eastern Time (ET) to Pacific Time (PT).

This creates a noticeable time gap between the countries. If you do not consider the time differences, you might call someone during their sleeping hours or outside of working hours.

What is the Best Time to Call from Kenya to the USA?

The ideal time to call the US is during their business hours, from 9 AM to 5 PM local time. This is the best time if you’re calling a company or business.

For personal calls, it’s better to avoid early mornings or late evenings in the US. Try to call during early evening hours, when people are usually free and more likely to answer.

Because of the time zone differences, it may be difficult to call at the right time. Here’s a reference table to help you:

Calling the US from Kenya can cost anywhere between 1.5¢ to 20¢ per minute, depending on the service provider you use. For example, MyTello offers rates as low as 0.77¢ per minute. Google Fi, on the other hand, charges about 20¢ per minute. And Apps like Viber Out offer to make international calls between these countries at around 1.9¢ per minute.

Some providers may also offer discounted rates on bundle plans. It’s a good option to subscribe to such plans, especially if you need to make international calls frequently.
 

How to Save Costs When Dialing the US from Kenya?

A traditional phone carrier often comes with a high cost. Consider using virtual phone numbers, social media apps, or calling cards for international calls. These alternatives are easy to use and offer low-priced calling compared to traditional carriers.

• Social Media Apps: Apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger, and Telegram allow you to make free calls using Wi-Fi or mobile data. But both callers must be on the same app for calls.
• Virtual Phone Numbers: A VoIP service provider offers virtual phone numbers to make calls over the internet at a low price. Unlike social media apps, you can also make calls to a regular mobile or landline number using these online numbers.
• Calling Cards: Calling cards include prepaid minutes for local and international calls. They come with an access code and a PIN code. You’d dial these codes to activate the card before dialing the phone number to call.

Making a call from Kenya to the US might seem confusing at first, but it’s actually simple once you understand the basics. All you need to do is follow the correct dialing format: exit code + country code + area code + local phone number. And a good sense of the time differences and calling costs helps you make the call at the right time and at a reasonable price.

There are different cost-effective alternatives available to reduce international call costs. Among them, a virtual number is the most ideal option. For example, Calilio’s virtual numbers are affordable and offer low rates for international calls. They not only save costs, they also offer additional telephony features like call recording, voicemail, call forwarding, and more.