International dialing
How to call Sweden from United States
- Exit code 011
- Country code +46
- Drop the leading 0
Reviewed by Sujan ThapaliyaLast updated
Calling Sweden from United States
Dial 011 (the United States exit code), then 46 (Sweden’s country code), then the local number with its leading 0 removed. So +46 8 123 456 78 is dialled as 011 46 8 123 456 78. From a mobile you can dial +46 directly instead of 011.
The dialing sequence
- Exit code from United States
- 011
- Sweden country code
- +46
- Trunk prefix to remove
- 0
- Domestic numbers start with 0; drop it from abroad.
- Full sequence
- 011 + 46 + local number (drop the leading 0)
- Time in Sweden
- CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
- United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4).
Step by step
Dialing Sweden 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 46: the country code for Sweden
46 is Sweden's country calling code. It never changes and is the same no matter where you are calling from. - 3
Drop the leading 0 from the local number
Numbers written for domestic use in Sweden begin with 0. That digit is a national trunk prefix and is not part of the number. Remove it: +46 8 123 456 78 is dialled as 8 123 456 78 after the country code. - 4
Check the local time before you dial
Sweden 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 Sweden | Dialed from United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Landline | 08 123 456 78 | 011 46 8 123 456 78 |
| Mobile | +46 7X XXX XX XX | 011 46 70 123 45 67 |
| From a mobile (+) | n/a | +46 70 123 45 67 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I call Sweden from the United States?
Dial 011, then 46, then the local number with its leading 0 removed. For example, +46 8 123 456 78 is dialled as 011 46 8 123 456 78.
What is the country code for Sweden?
+46. From United States you reach it by dialling 011 first, or by dialling + directly from a mobile.
Do I include the 0 when calling Sweden?
No. The leading 0 is only used inside Sweden. Including it from abroad is the most common reason the call fails to connect.
How do I call a Sweden mobile from United States?
Exactly the same way as a landline: 011 + 46 + the mobile number without its leading 0. A Sweden mobile in international format looks like +46 70 123 45 67.
What is the time difference between United States and Sweden?
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4) and Sweden 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 Sweden 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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