Calling the USA from NZ: How to Dial and the Cheapest Rates
The USA's country code is 1. Here is how to dial it from New Zealand, and the cheapest way to make the call.
US numbers have 10 digits: a 3-digit area code and a 7-digit number. Mobiles and landlines look the same, and there is no 0 to drop. On a mobile you can type + in place of 00.
How Much Does It Cost to Call the USA from NZ?
With our phone cards, calls to US landlines start at 1.4¢ a minute and calls to mobiles at 1.4¢ a minute. Every card calls both landlines and mobiles. Pick the one that fits how you call.
- 2.5¢/min to landlines
- No connection fee
- Billed in 2-minute blocks
- NZ$10 = 6 h 40 min to mobiles
- 1.4¢/min to mobiles
- 49¢ connection fee a call
- Billed in 3-minute blocks
- NZ$10 = 11 h 19 min to landlines
Rocket or Tiki Talk? Rocket's 49¢ fee pays off once a landline call lasts about 47 minutes or more. For shorter calls, Tiki Talk costs less.
Compare all 5 cards side by side
| Card | To landlines | To mobiles | Connection fee | Billed in | NZ$10 buys (landline) | NZ$10 buys (mobile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket | 1.4¢/min | 1.4¢/min | 49¢ a call | 3 min | 11 h 19 min | 11 h 19 min |
| Chips | 2¢/min | 2¢/min | 89¢ a call | 3 min | 7 h 34 min | 7 h 34 min |
| Long White Cloud | 2.4¢/min | 2.5¢/min | None | 3 min | 6 h 54 min | 6 h 39 min |
| Tiki Talk | 2.5¢/min | 2.5¢/min | None | 2 min | 6 h 40 min | 6 h 40 min |
| Lucky | 3.5¢/min | 3.5¢/min | None | 1 min | 4 h 45 min | 4 h 45 min |
Rates are in NZ dollars, 24 hours a day. Talk time for Rocket and Chips is from their rate pages and assumes one call, with one connection fee. Rates to US mobiles | Rates to US landlines
Call the USA with an NZ Phone Card
Our cards are digital. Buy online and we email your PIN and access numbers. No app, no new SIM, no contract, and it works from a landline or a mobile.
- Call your local access numberWe have numbers in 16 NZ cities and towns, from Whangarei to Dunedin. Your email lists them all.
- Enter your PINIt is in the same email.
- Dial the US number, then #00 1 + area code + 7-digit number. Example: 00 1 310 555 0187 #
Making another call? Wait for the other person to hang up, press ## and dial the next number.
Which NZ cities have an access number?
Auckland, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Nelson, New Plymouth, Napier and Hastings, Palmerston North, Queenstown, Rotorua, Ruatoria, Tauranga, Wanganui, Wellington and Whangarei. If your town is not listed, use the nearest one. Your provider may charge for that call.
Check the Time Difference Before You Call
Most of the US is 16 to 21 hours behind NZ, so it is usually the day before there. Hawaii is 22 to 23 hours behind. The gap changes because NZ and the US switch to daylight saving on different dates. Here is the time right now.
Popular US area codes
Every US number starts with a 3-digit area code. Dial 00 1, then the area code, then the number.
| Area code | Dial from NZ | City |
|---|---|---|
| 212, 646, 718, 917 | 00 1 212 ... | New York |
| 213, 310, 323 | 00 1 213 ... | Los Angeles |
| 312, 773 | 00 1 312 ... | Chicago |
| 713, 832 | 00 1 713 ... | Houston |
| 415 | 00 1 415 ... | San Francisco |
| 206 | 00 1 206 ... | Seattle |
| 305 | 00 1 305 ... | Miami |
| 202 | 00 1 202 ... | Washington DC |
| 617 | 00 1 617 ... | Boston |
| 808 | 00 1 808 ... | Hawaii |
Questions About Calling the USA
What is the country code for the USA?
The USA's country code is 1. From NZ, dial 00 1, then the 3-digit area code and the 7-digit number.
Is +1 the USA or Canada?
Both. The USA and Canada share +1, and so do some Caribbean islands. The area code tells you where the number is.
How do I call a US mobile from NZ?
The same way as a landline: 00 1 + area code + number. US mobiles and landlines use the same format.
Can I call US toll-free numbers from NZ?
Often not. Numbers starting 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833 are free inside the US, but many do not connect from overseas. Ask the business for a normal number with an area code.
How do I call NZ from the USA?
From the USA, dial 011 + 64 + the NZ area code without its 0 + the number. An Auckland number (09) 123 4567 becomes 011 64 9 123 4567.
Can I call the USA for free?
Calling apps make free calls when both people have the same app and a data or Wi-Fi connection. They cannot reach a landline, and the call drops if either connection is weak. A phone card reaches any US landline or mobile from a normal phone, without internet at either end.
Am I locked into a contract?
No. Our service is 100% prepaid. Add more talk time when you need it.
Are your cards rechargeable?
Yes. You can keep the same card and PIN for years. Recharge it online whenever you need more talk time.
Do your cards expire?
A card expires 6 months after its first use or last recharge. You do not lose the credit. Top it up with NZ$10 or more and your old balance carries over.
Does it cost more if I call from my cell phone?
We do not charge extra for calls from a cell phone. Your own provider may charge for the call to the access number, so check your plan. Many NZ plans include free calls to local numbers.
Is this a physical calling card?
No. We email your PIN, the access numbers and the dialling steps after you buy.
Do I need to download an app or change my SIM?
No. Call the access number, enter your PIN, then dial the US number.
Can I call other countries with this card?
Yes. Every card calls more than 200 countries.
Calling Other Countries from NZ
- Call Australia from NZ
- Call the UK from NZ
- Call Canada from NZ
- Call the Philippines from NZ
- Call India from NZ
- Call Fiji from NZ
- Call Samoa from NZ
- Call the Cook Islands from NZ
Have more questions? Call our support team on (09) 886 9903 or contact us.
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