A country code number, also called a country calling code or dial code, is the 1 to 3 digit prefix you dial before a phone number to reach another country, written with a plus sign: +1 for the US and Canada, +44 for the UK, +91 for India, +81 for Japan, +49 for Germany. Codes are assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under standard E.164. To call abroad, dial your country's exit prefix (00 in most countries, 011 in North America) or simply +, then the country code, then the national number.
#Key takeaways
- Country calling codes are 1 to 3 digit prefixes (+1, +44, +91) assigned by the ITU under standards E.123 and E.164; they route international calls to the right country.
- The + symbol stands for your local international exit prefix; dialing + works from any mobile phone and replaces 00 or 011.
- Calling codes are not the same as ISO country codes: +81 is Japan's calling code, while JP is its ISO 3166 letter code used in domains and data.
- Some codes are shared: +1 covers the US, Canada, and much of the Caribbean under the North American Numbering Plan; +7 covers Russia and Kazakhstan.
- Applications auto-detect a visitor's calling code from their IP: IPstack's
location.calling_codefield returns it (e.g., "1" for a US visitor), which is how phone-number forms pre-fill the +XX prefix.
#Common country calling codes
| Country | Calling code |
|---|---|
| United States / Canada | +1 |
| India | +91 |
| United Kingdom | +44 |
| China | +86 |
| Germany | +49 |
| Japan | +81 |
| France | +33 |
| Brazil | +55 |
| Spain | +34 |
| Mexico | +52 |
| Italy | +39 |
| Australia | +61 |
| Netherlands | +31 |
| United Arab Emirates | +971 |
| Pakistan | +92 |
| Nigeria | +234 |
| Bangladesh | +880 |
| South Africa | +27 |
| Philippines | +63 |
| Indonesia | +62 |
Nothing in the table matches that filter.
For any country not listed, the pattern is the same: dial +, the code, then the national number without its leading zero.
#What are country code numbers, and how do they work?
Have you ever wondered about those mysterious digits you need to dial before calling someone abroad? They’re called country code numbers, and they play a crucial role in international communication. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into what country code numbers are, how they work, and why they’re essential.
What are country code numbers?
Country code numbers, also known as country calling codes, country dial-in codes, or international subscriber dialing (ISD) codes, are prefixes used to reach telephone subscribers in foreign countries or areas via international telecommunication networks. These codes are part of the international telephone numbering plan and are defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in ITU-T standards E.123 and E.164.
How do country code numbers work?
When you’re dialing an international number, you start with the country code followed by the national telephone number. For example, if you’re calling someone in the United Kingdom, you would dial their country code, which is +44, followed by their national number.
Why are country code numbers important?
- Direct Dialing: Country codes enable international direct dialing (IDD), allowing callers to reach subscribers in other countries without the need for operator assistance.
- International Numbering Plan: Country codes are part of the international numbering plan, which ensures that telephone numbers are unique worldwide.
- Efficient Communication: By using country codes, callers can quickly identify the country of the telephone number they’re dialing, making communication more efficient.
- Standardization: Country codes help standardize international dialing procedures, making it easier for people to place international calls from anywhere in the world.
How to use a country code number
To use a country code number, follow these steps:
- Dial the International Call Prefix: Before dialing the country code, you need to dial the international call prefix. In most countries, this is “00,” as recommended by the ITU. However, some countries, such as those in the North American Numbering Plan, use “011” as the prefix.
- Dial the Country Code: After dialing the international call prefix, dial the country code of the country you’re calling.
- Dial the National Number: Finally, dial the national telephone number of the person or business you’re trying to reach.
Calling a London number 020 7946 0000 from the US: dial 011 (or +), then 44, then 20 7946 0000, dropping the leading 0 of the national number. Most countries drop that leading trunk zero when dialed internationally, the step first-time callers most often miss.
Conclusion
Country code numbers are an integral part of the international telephone numbering plan, enabling efficient and standardized international communication. By understanding how country codes work and how to use them, you can easily connect with people around the world.
#Auto-detect a visitor's country code with ipstack
Web and mobile apps rarely ask users to find their own dial code; they detect it. IPstack returns the calling code for any IP address in the location object, so a signup form can pre-select the right +XX prefix the moment the page loads:
https://api.ipstack.com/check?access_key=YOUR_ACCESS_KEY&fields=country_code,location.calling_code
// response for a visitor in India:
// { "country_code": "IN", "location": { "calling_code": "91" } }One request returns both the ISO code (for flags and locale) and the calling code (for the phone field), which is the standard pattern behind international checkout and registration forms.
#Popular questions and prompts about country code numbers
These are the highest-demand questions and prompt patterns people type into Google and AI assistants about calling codes right now.
“What country code is +1?”
+1 is the North American Numbering Plan, shared by the United States, Canada, and about twenty Caribbean and Pacific territories including the Bahamas (+1 242) and Puerto Rico (+1 787). The area code that follows +1 identifies the specific country or region.
“How do I dial an international number from my phone?”
On a mobile, hold 0 until + appears, then dial the country code and the national number without its leading zero. On a landline, replace + with your exit prefix: 00 in most of the world, 011 in the US and Canada.
“Why do some countries share a country code?”
Integrated numbering plans: the ITU allows regional plans where one code covers multiple territories, most famously +1 (North American Numbering Plan) and +7 (Russia and Kazakhstan). Within a shared code, the following digits route to the correct territory.
“Is a country code the same as an area code?”
No. The country code routes a call to a country (+44 for the UK); the area or city code routes it within that country (20 for London). International format is country code, then area code without its leading zero, then the local number.
Prompt: “Pre-fill the phone prefix on my signup form”
A pattern that works well with AI coding assistants. Naming the endpoint, fields, and fallback is the biggest quality lever.
On my [React] signup form, call the IPstack /check endpoint with fields=country_code,location.calling_code (key in an environment variable), pre-select the phone input's +prefix and flag from the response, let the user override it manually, and fall back to +1 if the lookup fails.
#FAQs about country code numbers
What is a country code number?
A country code number is a numerical prefix you dial before a national telephone number to place an international call. It tells the network which country to route the call to — for example +1 for the United States and Canada, or +44 for the United Kingdom.
How are country code numbers assigned?
Country code numbers are assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under ITU-T standards E.123 and E.164. The ITU manages the global numbering plan so each code routes uniquely, with sharing only where a regional plan such as +1 or +7 exists.
Do all countries have a country code number?
Yes. Every country and inhabited territory in the international numbering plan has a calling code, either unique to that territory or shared inside a regional plan such as +1 for North America. You always dial a country code for an international call.
How many digits are in a country code number?
Country calling codes are one to three digits long. The shortest are +1 (North American Numbering Plan) and +7 (Russia and Kazakhstan); three-digit codes such as +995 for Georgia are assigned to smaller numbering zones.
Do I need to dial the country code when calling internationally?
Yes. For any call that leaves your country you must dial the destination country code after + or your exit prefix (00 in most of the world, 011 in the US and Canada). Skip the country code only for domestic calls inside the same numbering plan.
What is the difference between a country code number and a two-letter country code?
A country code number (+81) is a telephone dialing prefix defined by the ITU; a two-letter country code (JP) is an ISO 3166 identifier used in domains, data, and shipping. See our guide to ISO country codes for the letter-code system.
#Sources
Related guides
What is your country code?
US, GB, JP: the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 codes used in domains and data, and how to find yours.
Country codes explained
Alpha-2, alpha-3 and numeric codes for all 249 ISO 3166-1 entries, with the reserved ranges.
Static IP addresses
Static versus dynamic, and why routing type changes how precisely an IP can be located.