How to dial France from the US? French phone code and examples
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To call France from the US, dial 011 + 33 + the French phone number. The French country code is +33, and all French numbers have 9 digits after the 0. An international call from a US cell phone typically costs around $1.20 per minute according to AT&T. This guide shows exactly how to dial a French number and use your US phone abroad.
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How to call France from a US cell phone?
If you want to call a French number from abroad, and in this case the US, the process is simple but it’s important to follow the correct steps to avoid mistakes and extra charges. Here’s exactly what to do:
- Dial the US exit code: start with 011 if you’re using a landline. From a cellphone, you can use the + sign instead.
- Add the French country code: 33 is the code for all French numbers.
- Enter the French phone number: omit the leading 0 and dial the remaining 9 digits.
To reach the French number 01 23 45 67 89, dial 011 33 1 23 45 67 89 or +33 1 23 45 67 89 from your US phone
💡 Extra tips
- All French numbers have 9 digits after the 0, whether mobile or landline.
- Check the time difference before calling: France is set to the Central European Standard Time (CEST), 6 hours ahead of New York and 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
- Using a cellphone with international plan or apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or Google Voice can reduce costs.
French area codes
French phone numbers follow a clear and structured format. Understanding the French area codes helps you identify whether a number belongs to a landline, mobile, or special service, and in which region it is registered.
French area codes for fixed lines
All French fixed-line numbers include 10 digits, usually written in 5 pairs such as 0X XX XX XX XX.
The number always begins with a 0, followed by a single-digit area code that indicates the geographic region.
Below is a guide to the main French dialing codes by region:
| City / Region | Area Code |
|---|---|
| Paris / Île de France | 1 |
| Northwest France (Brest, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Nantes, Orleans, Rouen), the Réunion and Mayotte Overseas Departments | 2 |
| Northeast France (Boulogne, Calais, Dijon, Lille, Nancy, Strasbourg, Reims, Troyes) | 3 |
| Southeast France (Cannes, Grenoble, Lyon, Marseille, Monaco, Nice, St. Etienne, Toulon, Valence) and Corsica | 4 |
| Southeast France (Bordeaux, Limoges, Lourdes, Toulouse) and Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, French Guiana and Saint Pierre et Miquelon Overseas departments | 5 |
💡 Tip: These area codes remain valid even if you move within France, thanks to number portability introduced by ARCEP (the French telecom regulator).
French format for cellphones
Mobile phones in France are built on the same 0X XX XX XX model as the fixed lines, but the second digit always starts with 6 or 7, making them easy to recognize.
For example:
- A typical mobile number looks like 06 12 34 56 78 or 07 23 45 67 89.
- To call this number from the US, dial 011 33 6 12 34 56 78 or +33 7 23 45 67 89.
🔍 Good to know: 06 numbers were originally assigned to mobiles, while 07 was added later due to demand growth. Both are now used interchangeably by all major operators (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free).
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The French codes for other French lines
In France, some phone numbers don’t start with 01–05 (landlines) or 06/07 (mobiles). These belong to other categories of services.
08 numbers – service and helpline numbers
Numbers starting with 08 are usually used for customer service, helplines and administrative services. They’re called SVA numbers (value-added services) and can be:
- 0800–0805: free numbers (“numéros verts”)
- 0806–0809: standard rate numbers
- 0810–0899: premium-rate numbers
Be aware that some 08 numbers can only be called from within France, and international calls to them may not work.
👉 French mobile operators’ customer service numbers
If you need to contact a French operator from abroad, note that short numbers (like 1023 or 3244) only work in France. Use the international number instead (charged at international rates):
- Orange: +33 9 69 39 39 00
- SFR: +33 9 70 83 10 23
- Free: +33 1 78 56 95 60
- Bouygues Telecom: +33 660 614 614
09 numbers – VoIP and non-geographic lines
Numbers starting with 09 are non-geographic VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) lines, often used by internet providers for landline services included in broadband packages.
Calls to 09 numbers are billed at standard local rates and are usually included in unlimited call plans.
If you ever need to contact a French utilities service from the US, follow this guide to calling important French numbers abroad. Check this other guide to find out how to contact the major emergency numbers in France.
Moving to France from the USA?Find out all about how to proceed, from your visa to healthcare in this guide dedicated to moving from the US to France.
Calling France from the US: costs and how to save
How much does it cost to call France from the US?
Calling France from the United States can cost between $0.05 and $3 per minute, depending on your phone carrier and plan. Major US carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile typically charge $1–$3/minute for international calls if no add-on is included. In contrast, VoIP services and international bundles can reduce this cost dramatically.
Most carriers offer international add-ons such as:
- AT&T International Calling – from $15/month per line: unlimited calls to 85+ countries (including France) and discounted rates for others.
- Verizon Global Choice – $10/month per line: up to 300 minutes to one selected country (France included) each month, then reduced per-minute rates afterward.
- T-Mobile International Calling & Roaming – included in most Magenta plans: calls from the US to France cost around $0.25 per minute, or can be made for free via WiFi Calling.
💡 Tip: Calls to French landlines are usually cheaper than to mobiles. Always check whether your plan distinguishes between the two.
How to call France for cheap (or even free)
If you plan on calling France quite frequently, this will end up being extremely expensive without the right phone plan, as long-distance and roaming charges can get expensive.
Here are some solutions to avoid extortionate phone bills overtime, when calling France from the US and vice versa:
- Using free VoIP and messaging apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Viber allows you to make free calls over WiFi. These are ideal if both you and your contact have an internet connection.
- Choosing a mobile plan with international options: some US carriers or French operators include free calls between the US and France in their plans.
- Buying a French prepaid SIM card: if you travel to France often, a French SIM card can drastically reduce costs. Local rates are much cheaper than international ones.
- Having a French phone number will allow you to make phone calls in France for relatively cheap, and several prepaid plans offer special rates for calling abroad.
- International SIM cards, such as Flexiroam can allow you a certain amount of calling time and/or data while in France at very competitive rates.
- Using WiFi calling: Most modern phones and carriers support WiFi calling, which lets you make calls through your internet connection instead of the mobile network, often at no extra cost.
Travel to France often?If so, it's worth signing up for a postpaid mobile phone plan. In the long run, these are cheaper than pay-as-you-go and offer better calling time/data allowances. Call our English-speaking customer service line at 09 77 55 72 27 (Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 9 pm and 9:30 am to 6:30 pm on Saturdays and on Sundays 9 am to 5 pm), or ask for a free callback to help you find a plan that meets your needs
How to call the USA from France
If in reverse you need to call the US from France, the procedure is the following:
- Start by dialling 00 - this is the Europe exit code. From a cellphone, you can dial "+" instead or the double zero.
- Then add 1, which is the country code for the US (and Canada).
- Finally, type in the American phone number you want to join (you should have 10 digits to dial).
For example, to call the US number 012-345-6789, you will dial
00-1-012-345-6789, or +1-012-345-6789.
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NEW IN FRANCE?
We’ve got you covered! Selectra helps you find a plan that fits your needs and get set up fast. It’s free, easy, and our English-speaking advisors are just a call away.
NEW IN FRANCE?
We’ve got you covered! Selectra helps you find a plan that fits your needs and get set up fast. It’s free, easy, and our English-speaking advisors are just a call away.
NEW IN FRANCE?
We’ve got you covered! Selectra helps you find a plan that fits your needs and get set up fast. It’s free, easy, and our English-speaking advisors are just a call away.