How to Call Philippines from the USA? A Detailed Guide

“It’s 7,696 miles from the USA to the Philippines, but just a few seconds to bridge the communication gap.”

Whether you are calling family or business companies, reaching the Philippines from the USA doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You can reach out to whom you want, ensuring the correct international phone number format with just a few clicks.

In this blog, you will get to know how to call Philippines from the USA. covering dialing codes, phone number formats, cost-saving tips, and common mistakes to avoid.

Let’s decode how you can do this and what points you should consider.

🔑Key Highlights

• Use the correct dialing format: 011 + 63 + area code + local number to dial the Philippines.
• Save money using VoIP services like Dialaxy or Google Voice, with rates.
• Call at the best time during U.S. evening hours for morning availability in the Philippines.
• Use alternatives like VoIP apps, messenger services, and international SIM cards to save money.
• Avoid mistakes such as dialing at the wrong time, incorrect number dialing, or using incorrect data for VoIP.

Understanding Dialing Format: USA to Philippines

You cannot just start punching in numbers and hope your call reaches the right person in the Philippines. Calling internationally needs a specific format and rules. Even a single missing digit can cause a failed call or a network issue.

Let’s break down the exact dialing structure so that you don’t have to face any confusion or extra charges.

• 011: Exit code from the USA (Informs your phone system you’re calling internationally)
• 63: Country code for the Philippines.
• Area code: Usually a 1-3 digit code for the region based on mobile providers in the Philippines.
• Local Number: Usually 7 digits for landlines,10 digits for mobile numbers(prefix included)

Mobile and Landline Number Calls:

Let’s get to know real-life phone number format examples for both mobile phones and a landline for the Philippines.

📱Calling a Philippine Mobile(e.g, Global Telecom – 917):

Exit code + Country code + Area code + Local Number

011 + 63 + 917 + XXXXXXX

☎️Calling a Philippine landline in Manila (Area Code – 2):

Exit code + country code + Area code + Local number

011 + 63 + 2 + XXXXXXX

📖Dig Deeper: Philippines Phone Number Format: A Complete Guide

How to Call Philippines from the USA: Step-by-Step Guide

After learning all these rules and formats, are you still confused about how to make an actual call?

Let’s break it down into a step-by-step guide to make this process easier.

Step 1: Dial USA Exit Code 011

The exit code gives you permission to call a number in another country from the USA. This code lets you inform your country that you are trying to make a global call outside the country.

So far you have: 011

Each country has its unique global exit code. The code must be dialed first to make a call.

Step 2: Dial the Country Code 63

After dialing the exit code, it’s time for the country code. Every country has its own unique country code. The Philippines has a country code as 63.The country code represents where the user is trying to make a call.

So far you have: 011 63

Country code varies according to the individual country’s laws and orders. The country code for the USA is +1.

Step 3: Dial 1 – 3 Digit Area Code

Area code depends on who you’re calling. Let’s keep on dialing from both landlines and from mobile phones.

For Mobile Numbers: 

Mobile numbers in the Philippines usually start with 09, like 0917, 0958, etc. In case of dialing internationally, we drop the “0” and keep only the 9-digit part.

Numbers so far: 011 63 917

For Landlines:

Philippines landlines use a 1-2 digit area code and a 7-digit number. If the area code has a leading zero, remove it when dialing internationally.

So far, you have:

Manila(area code 02):  011 63 2 

Step 4: Get the local Number in Your Area

After entering all the required codes, it’s now time to dial the remaining local Philippine number. Usually, the local number consists of 7 digits.

City codes are often treated as part of the local number. With this landline number, it is usually of 7 digits, and mobile numbers are of 10 digits.

Finally you have: 011 63 917 XXX XXXX OR 011 63 2 XXXX XXXX

Step 5: Double-check the format and Dial

• Once you have the complete number, double-check the number and the medium where you are trying to make a call.
• Always make sure you delete the zero “0” that is at the start of a number.
• If you’re using a mobile phone that supports “+”, you can use it instead of 011Example: +63 917 XXX XXXX

 List of Philippine Area Codes

There are different Area codes for landlines and mobile phones based on different regions and cities. Some of the major cities, along with their Area code, are mentioned below in the table.

Region / Province	Main Cities / Areas	Landline Area Code	Common Mobile Prefixes
Metro Manila	Manila, Quezon City, Makati	2	917, 905, 906, 926
Cebu	Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu	32	917, 918, 928, 929
Davao	Davao City, Digos, Tagum	82	917, 927, 928, 930
Iloilo	Iloilo City	33	917, 927, 916
Bacolod	Bacolod City, Talisay	34	915, 917, 925
Baguio / Benguet	Baguio City, La Trinidad	74	917, 927, 915
Zamboanga	Zamboanga City	62	915, 918, 930
Cagayan de Oro	CDO, Iligan, Valencia	88	915, 917, 926
General Santos	GenSan, Koronadal	83	917, 930, 927
Legazpi / Bicol Region	Legazpi, Naga	52	915, 916, 917
Dagupan / Pangasinan	Dagupan, Urdaneta	75	915, 926, 927
Batangas	Batangas City, Lipa, Tanauan	43	917, 918, 927

How Much Does it Cost to Call Philippines from the USA?

If we talk about the general cost of making an international call from the USA to the Philippines, it’s about a few cents to a few dollars per minute. It is different according to the service providers. We’ve compared the three most popular ways: landline, cell phone, and VoIP providers.

1. Calling via Landline

Without an international calling plan, phoning the Philippines using the old-fashioned landline will cost you $2.00 to $3.50 a minute, depending on your provider.

AT&T: Around $2.50–$3.00/min

Verizon: Usually $1.99–$2.49/min

T-Mobile (home): About $2.00/min

With a calling plan, the cost comes way down:

• Plans start at $10–$15/month.

• Per-minute rates drop to $0.10–$0.25/min.

• You must activate these plans manually.

Best for: Occasional callers with home phones, especially in areas where mobile reception is weak.

2. Calling From a Mobile Phone

If you’re calling with your mobile carrier without a plan, be prepared:

AT&T: Up to $4.00/min to mobile numbers

Verizon: Up to $3.50/min

T-Mobile/Sprint: About $2.50–$3.00/min

With an international add-on plan, you’ll pay far less:

• Most plans cost around $15/month.

• Per-minute rates drop to $0.15–$0.30/mi.n

Important: These rates may vary for mobile vs. landline numbers in the Philippines. Mobile calls often cost more.

Best for: People who call regularly but prefer sticking with their current mobile provider.

3. Using VoIP Services

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) lets you call over Wi-Fi or data instead of your phone line. It’s normally way cheaper than landline or mobile calls. Here are some popular alternatives:

Dialaxy (Telephony Communication)

Pricing: From $10 – $30/month

• Basic plan, Plus Plan, Pro Plan – $10,$20, $30
• HD voice, instant number setup, no contracts

• Perfect for business or regular calls

• It runs on the internet or Wi-Fi, so no SIMs are needed.
• 24/7 customer support

Google Voice

• $0.17/min (mobile), $0.11/min (landline)

Viber Out

• $0.09–$0.20/min, depending on the type of number

What’s the Best time to call the Philippines from the USA?

Before making a call to the Philippines, there are some things you must consider early in your mind.

• U.S. evening hours are Philippine morning hours.

• Calling from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM your time (U.S.) gets someone at the start of their day — available and productive.

• Avoid calling after 10:00 PM your time, if possible — it would be early afternoon or nighttime in the Philippines.

Depending on where you are in the U.S., the time difference varies by region. Here’s how it looks:

1. Eastern Time (ET) – (+12 hours ahead)

Includes:

📍 New York, Washington D.C., Miami, Atlanta, Boston

• If it’s 8:00 PM in New York, it’s 8:00 AM the next day in Manila.

• Ideal for evening calls — they’ll receive them in the morning.

2. Central Time (CT) – (+13 hours ahead)

Includes:

📍 Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, New Orleans

• When it’s 7:00 PM in Dallas, it’s 8:00 AM the next day in the Philippines.

• Evening calls are best for calling individuals early in the day.

3. Mountain Time (MT) – (+14 hours ahead)

Includes:

📍 Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Boise

• When it’s 6:00 PM in Denver, it’s 8:00 AM the next day in Manila.

• Early evening is best for business or family calls.

4. Pacific Time (PT) – (+15 hours ahead)

Includes:

📍 Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas

• When 5:00 PM in LA, it’s already 8:00 AM the following day in the Philippines.

• Afternoon or early evening is your best chance.

Alternative ways to call the Philippines

Tired of costly mobile plans or interrupted calls? Here are wiser, less expensive, and improved options to make contact:

1.VoIP Apps (Internet-Based)

Employ cellular data or Wi-Fi instead of your voice plan.

• Dialaxy – clean calls from the USA at $0.09/min and above.
• Viber Out – credit-based call to mobile or landline phones.
• Google Voice – call Philippine landlines through Gmail or the app.

2. Messenger & Video Apps (When Both Users Are Online)

Use if both you and the other person have internet:

• Facebook Messenger (free voice/video calls)
• WhatsApp

• Zoom (ideal for long convos)

• Telegram voice calls

3. Calling Cards (Old-Fashioned but Get It Done)

• Buy a physical or digital card with prepaid minutes.

• Watch out for connection fees and sneaky expiration dates.

4. International SIM Cards

If you’re a regular traveler, purchase a global SIM with low international rates.

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Tips & Avoidable Mistakes When Calling the Philippines

Mistake 1: Making a call at 3 AM

Avoid making a call without viewing or analyzing the time zone. The Philippines is 12–15 hours ahead of the U.S. Be prepared.

Mistake 2: Calling the Incorrect Format

• Double-verify the number:

• U.S. exit code: 011

• Philippine country code: 63

• Drop the leading zero in local numbers (e.g., 0917 ➝ 917)

Mistake 3: Calling Without Wi-Fi (if VoIP)

Using VoIP on weak mobile data = bad call quality. Use stable Wi-Fi.

Mistake 4: Overpaying With Your Carrier

AT&T and Verizon can charge $3+/minute without a plan. You’ve got better options (see above!).

Mistake 5: Not Testing the Call Setup

First time with a VoIP app? Try testing by calling a friend or your own number first.

✅ Last Checklist Before Calling the Philippines

Have a quick look over this list before dialing:

📍 Place the number in proper format: 011 + 63 + (Area Code) + (Number)

📍 Verify time difference

📍 Use a stable internet (for VoIP)

📍 Familiarize yourself with your rates (particularly for mobile numbers)

📍 Add contacts with international prefixes properly.

📍 Use a mic or headset when calling from a laptop

📍 Backup apps in case of network issues the or the original one fails

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Final Thoughts: Making a Philippines Call from the USA Simple

It is not difficult to call loved ones, business partners, or relatives and friends from the Philippines. From calling a cell phone or landline to VoIP providers like Dialaxy, you now have the tools and techniques at hand to do it right.

Just remember to:

• Obtain the number in the correct format.

• Select the best possible time based on the time zone.

• Go for the most cost-effective solution for your needs.

And avoid mistakes like dialing without checking the time or using outdated dialing habits. With this blog, you’re fully equipped to make all your calls to the Philippines easy, cost-effective, and hassle-free.

FAQs

Do I need to dial 011 to call the Philippines?

Yes, if you’re calling from the USA. 011 is the U.S. exit code, which is necessary to indicate that you are calling out of the country. The full format is:

011 + 63 + area code + phone number

What is the cheapest way to call the Philippines?

The cheapest option is to use VoIP applications like Dialaxy, Google Voice, or Viber Out. These enable you to call over the internet instead of carriers, typically pennies a minute or free if the recipient has the same app.

What is +63 in a phone number?

The Philippines country code is +63. To dial a Philippine number when overseas, substitute the leading 0 with +63.

Example:

0917 123 4567 → +63 917 123 4567

How can I use my U.S. phone in the Philippines?

To use your U.S. phone in the Philippines:

• Make sure it’s unlocked.

• Place a local Philippine SIM card inside or turn international roaming on.

• Make sure that your phone is compatible with GSM network bands, which are used in the Philippines.

Local SIMs are usually the most economical for calls, data, and messages, and also minimize network issues.

How can I use my US phone internationally?

You have two options:

• Turn international roaming on with your U.S. carrier (costly).

• Place calls and send texts online using Wi-Fi-based applications such as WhatsApp, or Dialaxy ,no need to change SIM cards.

For serious travelers, grab an international eSIM or an unlocked phone and a travel SIM.