Area codes are the three-digit number codes in a phone number. The location of a phone determines its area code. Determine where your customers call from using caller ID and a United States area code directory. International area codes identify the country from where a person calls.

Internationally, telephone area codes:

1. Use a fixed length in some countries; the US and Canada use a three-digit area code and Australia uses a one-digit area code.

2. Vary in length for different regions in some countries; Germany and Japan’s area codes range from one to five digits.

3. Get included with the telephone number regardless of location; in Spain and Norway, you always dial the area code.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look up the location of US area codes

Unlike zip codes, which the government arranges geographically in numerical order, phone area codes may not use geographical boundaries. An area code map or directory of area codes in the United States identifies the area codes assigned to a territory. Some areas, especially cities, use more than one area code.

I recommend: Find a US Area Code Listing by number at Bennet Yee. Click the state name on the US map at NeuStar, Inc. to see a map of the state’s area codes. Click on an area code at The Directory or enter the phone number's three-digit prefix to find the city using it.

Find the location for Canadian area codes

Canadian area codes work similarly to those in the US. Look up area codes in Canada to see which provinces your customers reside in.

I recommend: Find a list of the area codes for Canada at AllAreaCodes.com. The International City Codes for Canada page by Steve Kropla also provides this information.

Learn how to make calls to international area codes

Dial your International Direct Dial Code before dialing an international area code or country code. If you are calling from the US, the International direct Dial Code is 011, which you need to dial to get a connection outside of the country. When calling international numbers from a cellular phone, dial the plus (+) sign.

I recommend: Search for country calling codes alphabetically at the International Calling Code Directory from American Computer Resources, Inc. Select the countries you are calling from and to and receive instructions on which codes to use at Domain-it! HowToCallInternational.com provides directions on how to use international area codes.

Obtain a virtual telephone number in a different telephone area code

Potential customers may be more willing to call a local number in their own area code. They can call you using a phone number in their area code when you sign up for a virtual phone number, which forwards calls to your business phone number.

I recommend: Sign up for one ore more Virtual Phone Lines from Super Technologies Inc. so your customers or potential customers can call you with a local phone number, even if your phone is in another country. Get a toll-free number that will forward to your existing phone number anywhere in the world from TollFreeForwarding.com, where they also have virtual extensions, voice mail and fax capabilities.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you make frequent calls to international area codes or those in other states, look for a long distance calling plan that provides unlimited calls to certain countries; many VoIP providers have this type of plan.