International dialing codes, explained
Every phone number in the world can be written in one international format: a plus sign, a country code and the national number — for example +44 7700 900123. Once you understand the pieces, you can call or text any number from anywhere, and give out your own correctly.
Most dialing mistakes come from two details: using the wrong exit code for the country you're calling from, and forgetting to drop the domestic trunk prefix.
This guide explains exit codes, country codes, trunk prefixes and the E.164 standard, with worked examples and the exceptions worth knowing.
The three parts of an international number
- The exit code (international prefix) — what you dial to leave your own country's network: 00 in most of the world, 011 in the US and Canada.
- The country code — 1 to 3 digits identifying the destination country: +1 (US, Canada and the rest of the North American Numbering Plan), +44 (UK), +49 (Germany), +91 (India), +971 (UAE).
- The national number — the subscriber number, written without the local trunk prefix (the leading 0 used in many countries).
Exit codes around the world
The exit code depends on where you're calling from, not where you're calling to. The ITU recommends 00, and most countries use it — but several important exceptions remain.
- 00
- Most of Europe, India, the UAE, China, Mexico and many others
- 011
- The US, Canada and other North American Numbering Plan countries
- 010
- Japan
- 0011
- Australia
- 00 + carrier code
- Brazil — a 2-digit carrier selection code follows 00
The + sign replaces the exit code
On a mobile phone you can type + instead of the exit code, and the network substitutes the right one for wherever you are. That's why +44 7700 900123 works from any country, while 00 44 7700 900123 works from most of Europe, 011 44 7700 900123 from the US, and 0011 44 7700 900123 from Australia.
For contacts saved in your phone, always store numbers with the + form. They'll keep working when you travel, and messaging apps can match them correctly. On a mobile, long-press 0 to type +.
Drop the trunk prefix
Many countries write domestic numbers with a trunk prefix — usually a leading 0 — that's only used for calls inside the country: UK 07700 900123, Germany 0151 23456789, France 06 12 34 56 78, Australia 0412 345 678. When dialing internationally, you remove that 0: +44 7700 900123, +49 151 23456789, +33 6 12 34 56 78, +61 412 345 678.
The North American Numbering Plan uses 1 as its domestic long-distance prefix, which happens to match its country code. Some countries, such as Spain, Portugal, Norway and Denmark, don't use a trunk prefix at all, so the domestic number and the international national number are identical.
Exceptions worth knowing
- Italy: landline numbers keep their leading 0 internationally (+39 06 … for Rome); mobile numbers start with 3 and have no 0 to drop.
- Mexico: since 2019 all numbers are dialed as 10 digits after +52, with no extra mobile prefix.
- Argentina: mobiles called from abroad add a 9 after the country code (+54 9 …).
- Shared country codes: +1 covers the US, Canada and several Caribbean countries; +7 covers Russia and Kazakhstan. The area code or first digits tell them apart.
E.164: the standard format apps expect
E.164 is the ITU standard for international numbers. A number in E.164 format is the country code followed by the national number, written with a leading + and no spaces or punctuation — for example +442079460000 or +12015550123.
An E.164 number can be at most 15 digits long, including the country code (the + doesn't count). Apps, SMS systems and verification services store numbers this way, which is why sign-up forms ask for your country code separately or expect a + in front.
Worked examples
Each SMSCreation country page lists the country code, mobile number length, national format and exact dialing instructions, with example numbers. Our phone number formats page summarizes the rules across countries in one place.
- UK mobile: 07700 900123 → +44 7700 900123
- India mobile: 081234 56789 → +91 81234 56789
- UAE mobile: 050 123 4567 → +971 50 123 4567
- Germany mobile: 0151 23456789 → +49 151 23456789
- Australia mobile: 0412 345 678 → +61 412 345 678
- US number: (201) 555-0123 → +1 201 555 0123
- Calling that US number from Japan without the + key: 010 1 201 555 0123
Common dialing mistakes
- Keeping the leading 0: +44 07700 900123 is wrong; +44 7700 900123 is right.
- Using your home exit code abroad: 00 won't work from a US landline — use 011 or the + key.
- Typing the country code twice: an app that already shows +44 only needs 7700 900123.
- Confusing shared codes: a +1 number might be in the US, Canada or the Caribbean — check the area code before calling.
Texting and verification codes
International SMS follows the same rule: send to the full + format. When an app asks for your number to send a verification code, choose the country from its list and type the national number without the leading 0 — the app adds the country code itself. Adding the 0 back, or typing the country code twice, is the most common reason a code goes to the wrong number.
Why it works with WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram & Google
Apps check more than the digits: they look up the line type, the country format and whether the number can actually receive their code. Every SMSCreation number is a real mobile number in its country's official format — not a VoIP line — so it passes those checks the same way a SIM in your pocket does.
And we stand behind it with a 7-day replacement guarantee: if your number doesn't work with WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, Google or any app you need, we replace it free with a new number in the same country — or refund 100% if you prefer.
- Non-VoIP, real mobile line type — line-type checks see an ordinary SIM number, not a VoIP line
- Official country format with the right country code, prefix and digit count
- Unlimited incoming SMS and calls — codes arrive by text or through the “call me” option
- Private to you — never listed on public SMS sites, so it isn't flagged or rate-limited
- Yours for as long as you want — re-verification and account recovery keep working
Get a number in any of 181 countries
SMSCreation offers real mobile numbers in 181 countries, each in its country's official mobile format and shown in full international form in your dashboard. Numbers cost from $1.80 a month on the yearly plan ($21.60 billed yearly), the same in every country, and include unlimited incoming SMS and calls, 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 outgoing minutes a month.
Keep your number for as long as you want while it's renewed, and you're covered by a 7-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked, as long as the number has not been used for any call or SMS.
Questions
What is 00 vs 011?
Both are exit codes: 011 is used in the US and Canada, 00 in most other countries. On a mobile, the + sign replaces either.
Do I keep the leading 0?
Usually no — drop the domestic trunk prefix when writing a number in international format. Italian landlines are a notable exception.
What is the maximum length of a phone number?
Under the E.164 standard, 15 digits including the country code.
How long are country codes?
One to three digits — for example +1, +44 and +971.
Which format do apps want?
Usually the international format: + country code + national number, without the leading 0.
What exit code do I use from Australia or Japan?
0011 from Australia and 010 from Japan — or simply type + on a mobile.
Why do the US and Canada share +1?
They're both part of the North American Numbering Plan; the 3-digit area code identifies the country.
Will the number work with WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram and Google?
Yes — guaranteed. It's a real mobile number with unlimited incoming SMS and calls, so verification codes arrive by SMS or voice call. If it doesn't work with WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, Google or any app you need, we replace it free within 7 days — or refund 100%.