How to call the USA from South Africa
- From mobile
- +1 xxx xxx xxxx
- From landline
- 00 1 xxx xxx xxxx
From $0.04/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial the USA from South Africa
How to make a call to the USA from South Africa: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number. From a mobile, type +1 in place of 00 1, and the phone adds the exit code.
- 00South Africa exit code
- 1Country code of the USA
- xxxArea code
- xxx xxxxLocal number
- From a mobile: +1 xxx xxx xxxx
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Example: +1 212 555 0100
- Mobile
- +1 212 555 0100
- Landline
- 00 1 212 555 0100
Main area codes in the USA
The area code comes right after 1, then the local number
- New York City00 121200 133200 164600 1934then 7 digits
- Los Angeles00 121300 131000 1323then 7 digits
- Brooklyn00 134700 1718then 7 digits
- Chicago00 131200 177300 1872then 7 digits
- Houston00 128100 171300 1832then 7 digits
- Phoenix00 148000 160200 1623then 7 digits
- Philadelphia00 121500 126700 1445then 7 digits
- San Antonio00 121000 1726then 7 digits
Before you call the USA
Dial New York City from a landline
New York City is 00 1 212, then 7 digits. The other codes of the city are 332, 646, and 934.
- 00exit
- 1USA
- 212New York City
- xxx xxxxlocal number
Call a USA toll free number
A toll free number takes the same digits as any US number. Some numbers do not take calls from abroad.
- Dial 00
- Dial 1
- Dial the 10 digits of the number
Dial a USA mobile like a landline
Calling the USA cell phones takes 10 digits, area code first, as a landline does.
- Landline00 1
- Mobile+1
Calling the USA from South Africa without an international plan
Suparelay calls the USA for $0.04/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in South Africa charge up to $0.22/min. No carrier in South Africa that we checked includes the USA in a plan, so each call needs a per-minute rate.
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan neededUp to 5× cheaper | |
 | $0.13 |
 | $0.12 |
 | $0.22$0.059 with plan |
Want to call the USA?
Type the number and call from your browser, with no app and no plan
When to call the USA
The time now in the USA, and the best hours to call. The time difference changes with daylight saving time in the USA, so check the clock before you call.
- Time difference
- March to November: 6 hours behind Johannesburg
- November to March: 7 hours behind Johannesburg
- Daylight saving time
- Clocks change twice a year
- Time zones
- 8
Why a call to the USA fails
Cell C contracts need activation first
A Cell C contract has no international calling until Customer Care activates it. Call 135 before you dial abroad.
Cell C, International CallingVodacom standard calling costs more per minute
Vodacom's standard international calling has higher rates than International Calling Plus, which bills per second. Plus is an upgrade, so ask Vodacom to switch it on.
Vodacom, Affordable International Calling RatesFrom any country, a call to the USA also fails when
- 00 does not work from every country
- The number does not take calls from abroad
Questions
How to call the USA from South Africa on a cell phone or mobile?
Dial +1, then the number. It works from any mobile in South Africa
Are calls to the USA included in South Africa phone plans?
Not on most plans. No carrier in South Africa that we checked includes the USA in a plan
How much does it cost to call the USA from South Africa?
With no plan, carriers in South Africa charge up to $0.22 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
How to call New York City from South Africa?
For New York City, dial 00 1 212, then the 7-digit local number
Do I need to dial 00 to call the USA?
From a landline, yes: dial 00, then 1. From a mobile, type + instead, and the phone adds the exit code
Can I call the USA on my iPhone?
Yes. In the Phone app, press and hold 0 for +, then dial 1 and the 10-digit number. Your plan must allow calls to the USA
Why isn't my call going through to the USA?
The usual causes: 00 does not work from every country and the number does not take calls from abroad. Each one is listed above, with a link to its fix
How to call the USA from South Africa for free: is there a free call to the USA?
An app calls for free only when both sides have it. A call to a landline, or to a phone without the app, costs money
How to call the USA from South Africa on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and FaceTime call for free, but only someone with the same app. To ring a landline or a phone in the USA without the app, use your phone plan, a calling service, or Suparelay
How to call the USA landline from South Africa?
From a landline in South Africa, dial 00 1, then the 10-digit number
When is the best time to call the USA?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in the USA. March to November: 6 hours behind Johannesburg. November to March: 7 hours behind Johannesburg
How do I call the USA from South Africa, and how to make an international call to the USA?
Dial 00 1, then the 10-digit number. From a mobile, +1 works too
How much does Cell C charge to call the USA?
Cell C charges $0.13 a minute to a landline in the USA and $0.13 to a mobile
Does Vodacom include calls to the USA?
With the International Calling Plus. Without it, Vodacom charges $0.22 a minute to a landline and $0.22 to a mobile