Making international calls can be daunting, especially when you are unsure of the correct format of the phone numbers and the proper way to dial them. Calling India from the US is no exception, and it’s essential to understand the correct format of Indian phone numbers and how to dial them from the US. Additionally, it’s crucial to consider the cost of making international calls and some other factors before making the call. In this article, we will explore these aspects to help you make successful calls to India from the US.
The Format of Indian Phone Numbers
Indian phone numbers are regulated by the National Numbering Plan of 2003, which is managed by the Department of Telecommunications under the Government of India. The country code for India is +91, which was allocated by the International Telecommunication Union in the 1960s. All Indian landline and mobile phone numbers are made up of ten digits.
The Format of Indian Landline Phone Numbers
Indian landline phone numbers consist of two parts, an area code and a local subscriber number, and are always 10 digits long. The first three digits represent the area code, and the remaining seven digits represent the subscriber number. The format of Indian landline phone numbers is usually represented as (STD code)-XXXXXXX, where the STD code is a 2- to 4-digit area code, and XXXXXXX represents the local phone number. Landline subscriber numbers in India can be 6, 7, or 8 digits long, depending on the applicable area code length. The total number of digits in a landline phone number must be 10, so the length of the subscriber number varies to make up the remaining digits after the area code.
The Format of Indian Mobile Phone Numbers
A typical mobile number in India is represented as “+91 xxxx-nnnnnn,” where “+91” is the country code for India. The first four digits of the mobile number initially indicated the operator’s code, while the remaining six digits were unique to the subscriber. However, with the introduction of mobile number portability in India, subscribers can retain their mobile numbers when switching from one operator to another. As a result, the first four digits no longer indicate a specific operator, and mobile numbers are now issued based on a central database.
Area Code for Major Cities in India
| Location | Area Code |
| New Delhi, Delhi | 11 |
| Mumbai, Maharashtra | 22 |
| Kolkata, West Bengal | 33 |
| Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 44 |
| Pune, Maharashtra | 20 |
| Hyderabad, Telangana | 40 |
| Ahmedabad, Gujarat | 79 |
| Bengaluru, Karnataka | 80 |
| Surat, Gujarat | 261 |
| Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh | 512 |
How to Dial Indian Phone Number from the US
How to Dial Indian Landline Phone Number from the US
To dial an Indian landline phone number from the US, you need to follow these steps:
- Dial the US exit code, which is “011.” This code tells your phone carrier that you want to make an international call.
- Dial “91,” which is the country code for India.
- Dial the area code for the city you want to call. Indian area codes can be two to four digits long. Make sure to remove the leading zero in the area code when dialing.
- Dial the local subscriber number, which is seven to eight digits long, depending on the length of the area code.
Overall, the format for dialing an Indian landline phone number from the US is:
011 – 91 – [Area Code] – [Local Subscriber Number]
For example, if you want to call a landline in Mumbai with the phone number (022) 12345678, you would dial 011-91-22-12345678
How to Dial Indian Mobile Phone Number from the US
To dial an Indian mobile phone number from the US, you need to follow these steps:
- Dial the US exit code, which is “011.” This code tells your phone carrier that you want to make an international call.
- Dial “91,” which is the country code for India.
- Skip the initial “0” of the mobile number and dial the remaining nine digits.
Overall, the format for dialing an Indian mobile phone number from the US is:
011 – 91 – [Mobile Phone Number]
For example, if you want to call a mobile phone in India with the number 09876543210, you would dial 011-91-9876543210
How Much Does it Cost to Call India from the US
The cost of making international calls to India from the US depends on your service provider and the plan you have chosen. Most service providers offer international calling plans that charge a fixed rate per minute for calls to India. The rates typically range from $0.01 to $0.05 per minute. However, it’s essential to check with your service provider to determine the specific charges and plan that suits your needs.
| Carrier | Basic International Rate | International Plan |
| AT&T | $4/Minute | AT&T International Calling Plan: $15/month, Unlimited |
| Verizon | $2.49/Minute | Global Choice India: $10/month, 300 minutes Global Calling Plus: $15/month, $0.05/minute Global Calling: $5/month, Landline-$0.29/minute, Mobile-$0.30 /minute |
| T-Mobile | $3.00/Minute | Stateside International Talk: $15/month, Unlimited |
| Sprint | $3.00/Minute | International Connect: $15/month, Unlimited |
Things to Consider Before Calling India from the US
Before making international calls to India from the US, consider the following factors:
- Timezone difference: India is about 10.5 hours ahead of the US Eastern Time Zone. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the time difference when making calls to India to avoid calling at odd hours.
- Service provider plan: Check with your service provider to determine the rates and plans that suit your needs.
- Call duration: International calls to India can be expensive. Therefore, keep the calls brief and try to convey your message as concisely as possible.
- Check the dialing code: Ensure that you have the correct dialing code for India and the Indian phone number to avoid making mistakes that can lead to failed calls.
Conclusion
- Calling India from the US is easy, provided you understand the correct format of Indian phone numbers and how to dial them.
- Consider the cost of making international calls, the time difference, and other factors before making the call to ensure that you have a successful conversation.