How to Call the US from Pakistan? Dialing Codes, Cost, & Tips

Before dialing a US number from Pakistan, it's important to understand the US phone number format and the Pakistan exit code. The US phone number format includes the USA country code, area code, and local number.

Every international call made from Pakistan must start with the exit code, which is 00. This code tells your phone carrier that you’re placing a call outside of Pakistan. If you're calling from a mobile phone, you can replace it with a plus sign (+).

The US phone number format includes three parts: the country code, the area code, and the local number. The country code for the United States is 1, and this must come right after the exit code or plus sign. Next is the 3-digit area code followed by a 7-digit local number.

When combined, the structure looks like this: country code (1) + three-digit area code + seven-digit local number.

To call from Pakistan to the United States, dial the Pakistan exit code, followed by the US country code, the area code, and the US local phone number. Unlike many countries, the US uses the same format for both landline and mobile numbers.

To call the USA from Pakistan, first dial the Pakistan exit code (00 or +), then enter 1 for the US country code, followed by the area code and the 7-digit American number.

• Step 1: Dial Pakistan exit code (00 or +).
• Step 2: Dial the US country code (1).
• Step 3: Dial the area code for the US city or region you want to reach.
• Step 4: Dial the seven-digit US landline number.

To call a US mobile number from Pakistan, enter Pakistan's exit code 00 or the + sign, add the US country code 1, and then dial the 10-digit mobile number. Since area codes are already included in mobile numbers, you can simply dial the 10-digit US number.

• Step 1: Enter the Pakistan exit code “00” or the “+” sign..
• Step 2: Enter the US country code “1”.
• Step 3: Enter the 10-digit US mobile number.

To call a USA toll-free number from Pakistan, you need to enter the Pakistan exit code 00 or +, the US country code 1, the toll-free prefix, and then the 7-digit subscriber number.

• Step 1: Dial the US exit code (00 or +).
• Step 2: Dial the US country code (1).
• Step 3: Dial the toll-free prefix (such as 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833).
• Step 4: Dial 7-digit subscriber number.

Disclaimer: US toll-free numbers are generally free only within the US. If you call from Pakistan, your carrier may apply international calling charges.

The ideal time to call the USA from Pakistan is during American business hours, 10 AM to 4 PM. For personal calls, evenings or weekends are more convenient.

The United States spans six main time zones: Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, and Hawaii, while Pakistan follows Pakistan Standard Time (PKT). As a result, Pakistan is typically 9 to 14 hours ahead of the United States. To make sure your call is answered, it’s important to be mindful of these time differences.

Here’s the best time to make a call from Pakistan to the US based on different time zones:

On average, traditional carriers charge between $0.018 and $0.11 per minute for calls from Pakistan to the United States. The exact rate depends on your service provider, calling method, and whether you are dialing a landline, mobile, or toll-free number. Without any subscription or plan, these calls can quickly become expensive if you need to make frequent or long calls.

Here are some popular Pakistani mobile carriers and their calling rates for calls to the US from Pakistan:

Affordable ways to call the USA from Pakistan include using internet calling apps, international calling cards, or virtual phone numbers. These options let you stay connected without paying high per-minute charges.

Apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Google Meet, and Zoom let you call the USA for free over Wi-Fi or mobile data. All you need is a stable internet connection. For voice-only calls, these apps use very little data, making them the cheapest option if both parties have the app installed.

Calling cards offer lower international call rates than direct dialing, and you are only charged for the minutes you use. These cards are easily available at convenience stores and mobile shops in Pakistan. You pay upfront, then use a PIN code to make calls to the USA at a set per-minute cost.

A virtual phone number is an online number that works over the internet. Services like Calilio, Google Voice, or Sonetel let you purchase a virtual number in different countries, including the USA. With a virtual US number, you can make and receive calls as if you were in the US at a local or lower call rate. Also, you don’t need any extra hardware to use these numbers; they can be set up directly on your current mobile phone.

Calling the United States from Pakistan may seem complicated at first, but once you understand the dialing format and time zone differences, it becomes simple. By dialing the correct exit code, country code, area code, and local number, you can connect to both US landlines and mobiles without issues.

However, to save cost on international calling, consider options like internet calling apps, international calling cards, or a virtual number.