A US phone number is +1 followed by ten digits: a three-digit area code and a seven-digit local number. From abroad you can get one with a US travel SIM or eSIM, through a calling app, or as a temporary number that receives a single verification code. For sign-ups, what matters most is whether the service accepts that kind of line.
What a US number looks like
- Country code 1
- Shared by the 20 countries of the North American Numbering Plan, including Canada and many Caribbean islands.
- Area code
- Three digits for a region. The first digit is never 0 or 1.
- Local number
- Seven digits. Its first digit is also never 0 or 1.
- In total
- Ten digits after +1, written like +1 212 555 0100.
The area code tells you the region, not whether the line is a mobile phone, a landline or an internet-calling number. That is why a sign-up form can still turn down a perfectly well-formed US number.
Your options from outside the US
| Calls | Codes from apps | Lasts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US travel SIM or eSIM | Yes | Yes, a mobile line | While the plan runs |
| Calling app with a US number | Yes, over the internet | Often refused as VoIP | While you subscribe |
| Temporary US number | No, receives texts only | Depends on the service | Up to ten minutes, one code |
Why some US numbers are refused
- Line type. Many sign-ups look up whether a number is mobile or internet-based and refuse the second kind. More on that in non-VoIP numbers.
- Heavy use. A number range that has sent many codes recently can be blocked by a service for a while.
- Country mismatch. Some services only send codes to numbers from the countries where they operate, whatever the format.
- Format errors. A leading 1 typed twice, or a missing area code, makes the number invalid.
The app shows a success rate for US numbers per service before you pay. If it is low, try another country the service accepts.
Getting a code on a US number in five steps
- Pick the service you are signing up for US availability differs from app to app and from day to day.
- Choose the United States Compare its success rate with neighbouring options before you pay.
- Copy the number It appears in seconds, in international format starting with +1.
- Enter it in the sign-up form Select the US (+1) in the form's country list, then type the ten digits only.
- Read the code If nothing comes within about two minutes, switch to another US number at no extra charge.
Popular pairs have their own pages: WhatsApp with a US number, Telegram with a US number, and all services on the United States page.
Entering +1 correctly in a sign-up form
| Right or wrong | |
|---|---|
| Country list set to US, then 2125550100 | Right |
| One field: +12125550100 | Right |
| Country list set to US, then 12125550100 | Wrong: the 1 is counted twice |
| Country list set to Canada for a US number | Risky: both use +1, but always pick the country the number belongs to |
555 0100 numbers are reserved for examples and never ring.
Common questions
How do I get a US phone number if I live abroad?
For a number you keep, a US eSIM or a calling app. For a single verification code, a temporary US number is enough.
How many digits does a US phone number have?
Ten after the country code +1: a three-digit area code plus seven digits.
Why does an app say my US number is invalid?
Often the 1 was typed twice, or the service refuses internet-calling numbers. Check the format first, then try another number.
Is a US number the same as a Canadian number?
Both start with +1 and have ten digits. The area code shows which country and region the number belongs to.