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International dialing

How to call France from United States

  • Exit code 011
  • Country code +33
  • Drop the leading 0

Reviewed by Sujan ThapaliyaLast updated

Calling France from United States

Dial 011 (the United States exit code), then 33 (France’s country code), then the local number with its leading 0 removed. So +33 1 23 45 67 89 is dialled as 011 33 1 23 45 67 89. From a mobile you can dial +33 directly instead of 011.
Dialling France from United States: start with 011, the exit code for United States, then 33 for France, then the local number with its leading 0 dropped. The diagram shows those three blocks and the leading-zero rule that catches most people out.
The + shortcut on a mobile replaces the exit code entirely, which is why it works on any SIM in any country.

The dialing sequence

Exit code from United States
011
France country code
+33
Trunk prefix to remove
0
Domestic numbers start with 0; drop it from abroad.
Full sequence
011 + 33 + local number (drop the leading 0)
Time in France
CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4).

Step by step

Dialing France from United States

Four steps, and the third one is where almost every failed call goes wrong.

  1. 1

    Dial 011: the exit code for United States

    011 tells the United States network that the call is leaving the country. On a mobile you can press and hold 0 to type a + instead, which works from any country and any SIM; it is the more reliable option when you travel.
  2. 2

    Dial 33: the country code for France

    33 is France's country calling code. It never changes and is the same no matter where you are calling from.
  3. 3

    Drop the leading 0 from the local number

    Numbers written for domestic use in France begin with 0. That digit is a national trunk prefix and is not part of the number. Remove it: +33 1 23 45 67 89 is dialled as 1 23 45 67 89 after the country code.
  4. 4

    Check the local time before you dial

    France is on CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) and United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4). Work out the overlap before calling; the most common cause of an unanswered international business call is simply the hour.

Worked examples

What the number looks like at each stage

These are format patterns showing digit grouping, not working numbers.

Written in FranceDialed from United States
Landline01 23 45 67 89011 33 1 23 45 67 89
Mobile+33 [67] XX XX XX XX011 33 6 12 34 56 78
From a mobile (+)n/a+33 6 12 34 56 78

One thing about France

France uses one leading digit as a regional zone rather than a city code, and mobiles always begin 06 or 07.

Frequently asked questions

How do I call France from the United States?
Dial 011, then 33, then the local number with its leading 0 removed. For example, +33 1 23 45 67 89 is dialled as 011 33 1 23 45 67 89.
What is the country code for France?
+33. From United States you reach it by dialling 011 first, or by dialling + directly from a mobile.
Do I include the 0 when calling France?
No. The leading 0 is only used inside France. Including it from abroad is the most common reason the call fails to connect.
How do I call a France mobile from United States?
Exactly the same way as a landline: 011 + 33 + the mobile number without its leading 0. A France mobile in international format looks like +33 6 12 34 56 78.
What is the time difference between United States and France?
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4) and France is on CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2). Because several of these zones observe daylight saving on different dates, check the current offset rather than assuming a fixed gap.
Is it cheaper to call France over the internet?
Usually, yes. Carrier international rates are typically far above VoIP per-minute rates, and calling from an owned local number also means the person you are calling sees a number they can ring back.

Sources

  1. ITU-T Recommendation E.164 — The international public telecommunication numbering plan — International Telecommunication UnionThe international number format, the 15-digit maximum, and how country codes and national numbers compose.
  2. ITU-T International Numbering Resources — International Telecommunication UnionThe assignment of country calling codes and the published national numbering plans they belong to.

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