VoIP Tips

+1 Country Code: US, Canada & Caribbean Explained

By WorldDialer Team
+1 is the country code for the US, Canada, and 20+ Caribbean nations. Complete list of +1 countries with area codes and how to dial from abroad. (149 chars)

The +1 country code covers the United States, Canada, and about 20 Caribbean nations. It's not just "the US code"—it's shared by 25+ countries under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). The 3-digit area code after +1 tells you which country or region you're calling.

So if you're trying to figure out what country uses +1, the answer is: it depends on the area code.

What Country Uses +1?

The +1 country code isn't exclusive to any single country. Here's who shares it:

  • United States - All 50 states plus DC
  • Canada - All provinces and territories
  • US Territories - Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands
  • 20+ Caribbean nations - Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and more

The system exists because these countries all joined the North American Numbering Plan in the mid-20th century. Same country code, different area codes.

Complete List of +1 Caribbean Countries

Here's every Caribbean nation and territory using the +1 country code, with their area codes:

Country/Territory Area Code(s)
Anguilla 264
Antigua & Barbuda 268
Bahamas 242
Barbados 246
Bermuda 441
British Virgin Islands 284
Cayman Islands 345
Dominica 767
Dominican Republic 809, 829, 849
Grenada 473
Jamaica 876, 658
Montserrat 664
Sint Maarten 721
St. Kitts and Nevis 869
St. Lucia 758
St. Vincent & Grenadines 784
Trinidad & Tobago 868
Turks & Caicos 649

US Territories with +1:

Territory Area Code(s)
Puerto Rico 787, 939
US Virgin Islands 340
Guam 671
American Samoa 684
Northern Mariana Islands 670

How US Area Codes Work

US phone numbers are 10 digits: a 3-digit area code plus a 7-digit local number. The format is (XXX) XXX-XXXX.

The area code identifies the geographic region. Some major examples:

  • 212 - New York City (Manhattan)
  • 310 - Los Angeles
  • 312 - Chicago
  • 305 - Miami
  • 202 - Washington DC

Canada uses the same format. Toronto is 416, Vancouver is 604, Montreal is 514.

When you see a +1 number, the area code tells you whether you're calling New York, Jamaica, or Toronto.

Common Confusions About +1

"+1 is always the US" Not true. +1 876 is Jamaica. +1 242 is Bahamas. +1 416 is Toronto, Canada. The area code matters.

"I need to add a 0 before the area code" No. Unlike many European countries, North American numbers don't use a leading zero. Dial +1 212 555 1234, not +1 0212 555 1234.

"Calls within +1 countries are free or cheap" Not necessarily. Even though Jamaica and the US share the +1 code, calling between them is still an international call with international rates. The shared country code doesn't mean shared phone networks.

How to Dial +1 Numbers from Abroad

To call any +1 number from outside North America, use this format:

+1 (area code) (7-digit number)

Example: +1 212 555 1234

On a mobile phone, the + sign works everywhere. On a landline, you'll need your country's exit code first (00 in most of Europe, 0011 in Australia).

Rates vary wildly. Mobile carriers often charge $1-3/minute for calls to +1 numbers. VoIP services charge less but usually require subscriptions.

If you just need to make occasional calls to US landlines, browser-based services like World Dialer charge $0.02/minute. No subscription. No app. Enter the number, make the call, pay for what you use.

Quick Reference

  • +1 + 3-digit code starting with 2-9 = US, Canada, or Caribbean
  • Check the area code to know which country
  • Format from abroad: +1 (area code) (number)
  • No leading zeros - ever

That's the +1 country code. Twenty-five countries, one dialing prefix, and a 3-digit area code that tells you exactly where your call is going.

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