International dialing
How to call Italy from United States
- Exit code 011
- Country code +39
- No trunk prefix to drop
Reviewed by Sujan ThapaliyaLast updated
Calling Italy from United States
Dial 011 (the United States exit code), then 39 (Italy’s country code), then the local number exactly as written. So +39 02 1234 5678 is dialled as 011 39 02 1234 5678. From a mobile you can dial +39 directly instead of 011.
The dialing sequence
- Exit code from United States
- 011
- Italy country code
- +39
- Trunk prefix to remove
- None
- Dial the local number exactly as written.
- Full sequence
- 011 + 39 + local number (the national number as-is; there is no trunk prefix to drop)
- Time in Italy
- CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
- United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4).
Step by step
Dialing Italy from United States
Four steps, and the third one is where almost every failed call goes wrong.
- 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
Dial 39: the country code for Italy
39 is Italy's country calling code. It never changes and is the same no matter where you are calling from. - 3
Dial the local number exactly as written
Italy has no national trunk prefix, so there is nothing to remove. The number you would dial locally is the number you dial after 39. - 4
Check the local time before you dial
Italy 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 Italy | Dialed from United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Landline | 02 1234 5678 | 011 39 02 1234 5678 |
| Mobile | +39 3XX XXX XXXX | 011 39 320 123 4567 |
| From a mobile (+) | n/a | +39 320 123 4567 |
One thing about Italy
Italy is the exception to the drop-the-zero rule: the leading 0 on a landline is part of the number and must be kept after +39. Mobiles have no leading 0.
Frequently asked questions
How do I call Italy from the United States?
Dial 011, then 39, then the local number. For example, +39 02 1234 5678 is dialled as 011 39 02 1234 5678.
What is the country code for Italy?
+39. From United States you reach it by dialling 011 first, or by dialling + directly from a mobile.
How do I call a Italy mobile from United States?
Exactly the same way as a landline: 011 + 39 + the mobile number. A Italy mobile in international format looks like +39 320 123 4567.
What is the time difference between United States and Italy?
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4) and Italy 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 Italy 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
- 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.
- 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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