01
Exit code — + or 00
Tells the network you’re leaving the country. On a mobile, hold 0 to type +. From a landline it’s usually 00 — or 011 in the US and Canada.
International calling
How to make an international phone call
Dial your exit code — + or 00 — then the country code, then the local number without its leading zero. That’s the whole format. With Parlacall you skip the codes: pick the country in your browser, type the number, and it rings. Below, every way to call abroad and what each one really costs.
See the exact rate before you call
The format
Exit code, country code, number
Every international number is three parts, dialed in order:
02
Country code
One to three digits for the destination: 44 for the UK, 91 for India, 1 for the US and Canada.
03
Local number, minus the leading 0
Drop the trunk 0 many local numbers start with. London’s 020 7946 0018 becomes +44 20 7946 0018.
Example — to reach the London landline 020 7946 0018 from anywhere, dial +44 20 7946 0018.
Your options
Every way to call abroad — and the catch
Five common ways to place an international call, what you typically pay, and what to watch for.
| Method | Typical cost | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Roaming while abroad | $1–3/min | Your home carrier bills international calls at premium rates — and you often pay to receive them too. |
| Carrier international add-on | $5–15/mo + per min | A monthly plan stacked on per-minute charges — only worth it if you call abroad often. |
| Prepaid calling card | Low per min | Access numbers, PINs, connection fees, and per-call rounding quietly erase the headline rate. |
| App-to-app call (WhatsApp, FaceTime) | Free | Only works when the other person has the same app and internet — it can’t dial an ordinary phone number. |
| Browser calling (Parlacall) | from $0.03/min | Dials any real landline or mobile from a tab, pay-as-you-go — no app, no subscription, no roaming premium. |
Costs are typical ranges; carrier rates vary. Parlacall shows the exact per-minute rate before you dial.
Step by step
Place a cheap international call in three steps
01
Open Parlacall in a browser
Go to parlacall.com on any device — no app, no SIM. Add $5 of credit with a card.
02
Pick the country, type the number
Choose the destination and enter the local number. Parlacall adds the country code and shows the exact per-minute rate first.
03
Press call
Their ordinary phone rings. You pay only for the minutes you talk — the rest of your balance stays.
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What it costs
What international calls cost
Real per-minute rates to a few destinations. Calls start at $0.03/min across 218 countries.
| Destination | Landline | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $0.04 | $0.09 |
| India | $0.14 | $0.10 |
| Germany | $0.06 | $0.76 |
| Japan | $0.15 | $0.37 |
| France | $0.05 | $0.33 |
| United Kingdom | $0.04 | $0.07 |
Rates shown are for standard calls; translated calls add a small per-minute fee. See all 218 destinations.
Questions
International calling FAQ
What’s the cheapest way to call internationally?
- For reaching a real phone number, browser calling is usually cheapest: pay-as-you-go per-minute rates with no roaming premium, monthly plan, or connection fee. Free app-to-app calls only work when the other person has the same app — they can’t dial an ordinary phone.
How do I dial a country code?
- Start with + (hold 0 on a mobile) or your exit code — 00, or 011 in the US — then the country code, then the local number without its leading 0. With Parlacall you skip this: pick the country and the code is added for you.
Do I need to install an app?
- No. Parlacall runs in a browser tab and connects to the real phone network. It works on a laptop, desktop, or phone — no app, no SIM.
Does the person I call need anything?
- No. Their normal phone rings like any other call — nothing to install, no account, no internet on their side.
Is it cheaper than roaming?
- Almost always. Roaming bills international calls at premium rates through your home carrier. Pay-as-you-go browser calling charges a flat per-minute rate you see before dialing, starting at $0.03/min.