How do I format a phone number for international dialing?
Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 4:37 am
To format a phone number for international dialing, you need to follow a specific structure to ensure your call or message reaches the correct destination. The most widely recommended standard is the E.164 format, defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Here's a breakdown of how to do it:
The E.164 Standard:
The E.164 format consists of the following components, with no spaces, dashes, parentheses, or other punctuation:
Plus Sign (+): Always start with a plus sign. This symbol indicates that you are dialing an international number and replaces the international call prefix (exit code) that varies depending on the country you are calling from. For example, the international call prefix is 011 in the United States and Canada, 00 in many European and Asian countries, and 0011 in Australia. Using the + eliminates the need to know the specific exit code of your current location.
Country Code: Following the plus sign, enter the belarus mobile phone number list country code of the phone number you are trying to reach. Each country has a unique country code (e.g., 880 for Bangladesh, 1 for the United States and Canada, 44 for the United Kingdom). You can easily find the country code for any country with a quick online search.
National Destination Code (NDC) or Area Code: After the country code, you'll often need to include the national destination code or area code. This code directs the call to a specific region or network within the destination country. The length and necessity of the NDC vary by country. Sometimes, especially for mobile numbers, there might not be a traditional "area code."
Subscriber Number (Local Phone Number): Finally, enter the local phone number of the person or business you are trying to contact. This is the unique number assigned to the subscriber within their specific area or network.
Example:
Let's say you want to call a mobile phone number in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The local mobile number is 01711XXXXXX. To format this for international dialing from anywhere in the world, you would do the following:
Start with the plus sign: +
Add the country code for Bangladesh: 880
Remove the leading '0' from the local mobile prefix and add the rest of the number: 1711XXXXXX
Putting it all together, the internationally formatted phone number would be: +8801711XXXXXX
Key Things to Remember:
Always use the plus sign (+) at the beginning instead of the international call prefix for the country you are calling from.
Include the correct country code for the destination number.
Omit any leading zeros that might be used for domestic calls within the destination country, especially before the area code or mobile prefix.
Do not use spaces, dashes, parentheses, or other punctuation within the number. The E.164 format is a continuous string of digits.
Verify the format for the specific country you are calling, as some countries might have specific rules or variations in their national numbering plans.
By consistently using the E.164 format, you can ensure that your international calls and messages are routed correctly across different telecommunication networks worldwide, including when you are in Dhaka and calling internationally, or when someone from abroad is trying to reach your Bangladeshi phone number.
The E.164 Standard:
The E.164 format consists of the following components, with no spaces, dashes, parentheses, or other punctuation:
Plus Sign (+): Always start with a plus sign. This symbol indicates that you are dialing an international number and replaces the international call prefix (exit code) that varies depending on the country you are calling from. For example, the international call prefix is 011 in the United States and Canada, 00 in many European and Asian countries, and 0011 in Australia. Using the + eliminates the need to know the specific exit code of your current location.
Country Code: Following the plus sign, enter the belarus mobile phone number list country code of the phone number you are trying to reach. Each country has a unique country code (e.g., 880 for Bangladesh, 1 for the United States and Canada, 44 for the United Kingdom). You can easily find the country code for any country with a quick online search.
National Destination Code (NDC) or Area Code: After the country code, you'll often need to include the national destination code or area code. This code directs the call to a specific region or network within the destination country. The length and necessity of the NDC vary by country. Sometimes, especially for mobile numbers, there might not be a traditional "area code."
Subscriber Number (Local Phone Number): Finally, enter the local phone number of the person or business you are trying to contact. This is the unique number assigned to the subscriber within their specific area or network.
Example:
Let's say you want to call a mobile phone number in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The local mobile number is 01711XXXXXX. To format this for international dialing from anywhere in the world, you would do the following:
Start with the plus sign: +
Add the country code for Bangladesh: 880
Remove the leading '0' from the local mobile prefix and add the rest of the number: 1711XXXXXX
Putting it all together, the internationally formatted phone number would be: +8801711XXXXXX
Key Things to Remember:
Always use the plus sign (+) at the beginning instead of the international call prefix for the country you are calling from.
Include the correct country code for the destination number.
Omit any leading zeros that might be used for domestic calls within the destination country, especially before the area code or mobile prefix.
Do not use spaces, dashes, parentheses, or other punctuation within the number. The E.164 format is a continuous string of digits.
Verify the format for the specific country you are calling, as some countries might have specific rules or variations in their national numbering plans.
By consistently using the E.164 format, you can ensure that your international calls and messages are routed correctly across different telecommunication networks worldwide, including when you are in Dhaka and calling internationally, or when someone from abroad is trying to reach your Bangladeshi phone number.