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How to call canada from the US

How to call Canada from the US using cellphone or landline

Wondering how to call Canada from the US using your cellphone or landline? We’ve got you.

You might have questions such as “What is Canada’s country code?” “How can I dial to Canada from US?” “How to call Canada from the US on cellphone” “How to call Canada from the US on iPhone” etc.

Whether it’s a casual catchup with your cousin in Toronto or an important conference call with clients in Montreal, staying connected across borders is more important than ever. But don’t worry, making calls to our neighbors up north is easier than you might think.

How to call Canada from US on cellphone

Calling Canada from the US using your cell phone or landline is pretty simple. You can connect with our northern neighbors in just 3 easy steps,

Step 1: Start with Canada’s country code

Begin by dialing the Canada country code, which is +1. Since Canada is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), you DON’T need to dial the US exit code (011) to make calls to Canada.

Step 2: Enter the area code

After dialing the country code, enter the three-digit area code of the region in Canada you’re trying to reach. If you’re unsure about the area code, we’ve listed some of the most popular Canadian area codes below for your convenience.

Step 3: Dial the phone number you’re trying to reach

Complete the call by dialing the rest of the recipient’s 7-digit phone number. And voilà! You’re all set.

How to call Canada from the US from a landline

Calling Canada from the US using a landline is similar to calling from a cellphone.

Step 1: Enter the country code

The country code for Canada is +1. Once again, if you’re calling Canada from the US, you can skip the exit code.

Step 2: Add your area code

Add the area code for the Canadian city or region you’re trying to call. For example: if you’re calling Montreal its “514”.

Step 3: Now, dial the phone number

Finally, dial the specific phone number you’re trying to reach.

And there you have it!

Canadian area codes

Similar to the United States, Canada also uses area codes to distinguish between provinces and regions. Here’s a breakdown of some of Canada’s area codes and the areas they correspond to,

Canadian area codeLocation
780Alberta (Northern)
403Alberta (Southern)
416Toronto, Ontario
905Greater Toronto
604Vancouver, British Columbia
613Ottawa, Ontario
514Montreal, Quebec
905Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
902Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
905Hamilton, Ontario
519London, Ontario
604Surrey, British Columbia
416Mississauga, Ontario
204Winnipeg, Manitoba
613Kingston, Ontario
450Laval, Quebec
519Kitchener, Ontario
604Burnaby, British Columbia
250Victoria, British Columbia
902Halifax, Nova Scotia

How to call Canada from US for free?

Here are a few ways you can ring up your friends or family in Canada from the US without spending a penny:

Use apps: There are a few apps out there like WhatsApp, Skype or Facebook Messenger that let you make free calls over the internet. But, only as long as you and the person you’re calling have the same app installed and a stable internet connection.

Check your phone plan: Yes, some phone plans include free international calling to certain countries, including Canada. It’s always better to check with your service provider to see if that’s covered.

Toll free numbers: Look into getting a toll-free 800 number. You can get one with iTeleCenter. These numbers allow your Canadian friends or family to call you without racking up long-distance charges on their end. While setting up a toll-free number might cost you a small fee initially, but it can save both parties money in the long run.

FaceTime audio: If you and the person you’re calling both have iPhones, you can use FaceTime audio for free calls. It uses your internet connection to make calls and there’s no additional cost beyond your data plan.

Google voice: Google Voice offers free calling to Canada from the US. You can make calls from your computer or through the Google Voice app on your smartphone. It’s a good option if you already have a Google account.

Time zone differences when calling Canada from the USA

Canada is a one big country and it has 6 main time zones, each covering different regions. Here’s a breakdown in everyday language:

Pacific Time Zone (PT): This time zone cover major cities like Vancouver and the British Columbia provinces.

Mountain Time Zone (MT): Covers Alberta, some parts of British Columbia, the Northwest territories, Yukon and bits of Saskatchewan.

Calgary and Edmonton are two prominent cities in this zone. (Just so you know, Yukon and most parts of British Columbia don’t observe daylight savings time)

Central Time Zone (CT): Includes Manitoba, parts of Nunavut, Ontario and more of Nunavut.

Eastern Time Zone (ET): Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal comes under this time zone.

Atlantic Time Zone (AT): Covers the maritime provinces — Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Newfoundland Time Zone (NT): Newfoundland and Labrador operate on their own unique time zone, which is 30 mins ahead of Atlantic time during standard time and 1.5 hours ahead during daylight saving time. Newfoundland and Labrador reside in this distinct time zone.

Need to quickly check the Canadian time differences from the US? Check out TimeTemperature

Running a business in the US?

Make a call to Canada from the US on iPhone using iTeleCenter

Enter iTeleCenter—a virtual phone system built for entrepreneurs and businesses.

Here’s how it goes down:

Start with a trial or subscribe right away: Sign up for a fourteen-day free trial of iTeleCenter and explore all its cool business phone features.  Already convinced? Just subscribe to one of our plans and get started.

Pick your number: Choose a US local, toll or vanity number for your account.

Start calling and texting: Once you’ve got your number, login in to your account and start making calls and texts.

iTeleCenter isn’t just business calling and texting. It’s a full-blown business phone system. With iTeleCenter, you can:

  • Enjoy unlimited calling to the US
  • Send text messages to your customers
  • Get a free US local or toll-free number no matter where you’re in the world.
  • Forward calls to your phone or any external phone number
  • Access iTeleCenter from practically anywhere on the planet via iOS, Android and web apps.
  • Automatically record calls to keep track of those important conversations.

and much more ..

Grab your free trial of iTeleCenter today and handle all your business communications like a pro.

Check out our other guides,
How to call UK from the US
How to call Australia from the US

Frequently asked questions

Canada’s country code is +1.

Here's an example of a Canadian phone number: +1 514-400-5678

In this,

"+1" is the country code for Canada

"514" is the area code for Montreal

"400-567" is the local phone number

No, they're not quite the same. When you dial 011, you're basically telling your phone carrier that you're trying to make an international call. But here's the thing: because Canada is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), you can skip the "011" exit code. All you really need to dial is +1, which is Canada's country code.

Hi, I’m Jesh

Jesh is a product marketing specialist and B2B copywriter with a flair for detail and a hint of humor. Outside of the 9 to 5, he likes to attend wine-tasting events and act like a connoisseur.

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