International dialing
How to call Mexico from United States
- Exit code 011
- Country code +52
- No trunk prefix to drop
Reviewed by Sujan ThapaliyaLast updated
Calling Mexico from United States
Dial 011 (the United States exit code), then 52 (Mexico’s country code), then the local number exactly as written. So +52 55 1234 5678 is dialled as 011 52 55 1234 5678. From a mobile you can dial +52 directly instead of 011.
The dialing sequence
- Exit code from United States
- 011
- Mexico country code
- +52
- Trunk prefix to remove
- None
- Dial the local number exactly as written.
- Full sequence
- 011 + 52 + local number (the national number as-is; there is no trunk prefix to drop)
- Time in Mexico
- CST (UTC−6)
- United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4).
Step by step
Dialing Mexico 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 52: the country code for Mexico
52 is Mexico'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
Mexico has no national trunk prefix, so there is nothing to remove. The number you would dial locally is the number you dial after 52. - 4
Check the local time before you dial
Mexico is on CST (UTC−6) 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 Mexico | Dialed from United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Landline | 55 1234 5678 | 011 52 55 1234 5678 |
| Mobile | +52 XX XXXX XXXX | 011 52 55 8765 4321 |
| From a mobile (+) | n/a | +52 55 8765 4321 |
One thing about Mexico
Since August 2019 Mexico dropped the old 01/044/045 prefixes. Mobile numbers no longer need a leading 1 after +52. If a guide tells you to dial +52 1, it is out of date.
Frequently asked questions
How do I call Mexico from the United States?
Dial 011, then 52, then the local number. For example, +52 55 1234 5678 is dialled as 011 52 55 1234 5678.
What is the country code for Mexico?
+52. From United States you reach it by dialling 011 first, or by dialling + directly from a mobile.
How do I call a Mexico mobile from United States?
Exactly the same way as a landline: 011 + 52 + the mobile number. A Mexico mobile in international format looks like +52 55 8765 4321.
What is the time difference between United States and Mexico?
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4) and Mexico is on CST (UTC−6). 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 Mexico 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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