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How to Call South Korea from the United States

Country code +82 — Dial 011 82 10-XXXX-XXXX from a US landline or +82 10-XXXX-XXXX from a mobile phone.

+82
South Korea Country Code

What to Dial

  1. 1Dial 011 from a US landline, or + from a mobile (hold the 0 key).
  2. 2Dial 82, the country code of South Korea.
  3. 3Dial the number: 9 or 10 digits for mobiles and 5 to 10 for landlines, without the leading 0 used for calls inside South Korea.
Calling a… Written in South Korea From a US landline From a cell phone
Mobile 010-XXXX-XXXX 011 82 10-XXXX-XXXX +82 10-XXXX-XXXX
Landline (Seoul) 02-XXX-XXXX 011 82 2-XXX-XXXX +82 2-XXX-XXXX

X stands for any digit. Mobile numbers start with 010–012 or 016–019. More number types: South Korea phone number format.

Mobile or Landline?

South Korea had 173 mobile subscriptions and 41.2 landlines per 100 people in 2024. Most people you call will be on a mobile, so ask for their mobile number and check what your plan charges for calls to South Korea mobiles.

Source: World Bank (ITU).

Calling Tips for South Korea

Best Time to Call

To reach someone between 9 AM and 8 PM in Seoul, call between 8:00 PM–7:00 AM EDT (5:00 PM–4:00 AM PDT). South Korea doesn’t change its clocks, so the gap moves by an hour when the US does.

South Korea is on UTC+9, 13 hours ahead of US Eastern Time right now.

Cost Saving Tips

  • VoIP services such as Google Voice or Vonage usually charge less per minute than a carrier's standard international rate.
  • WiFi calling apps (WhatsApp, Viber, FaceTime) are free when both parties have the app.
  • Check your carrier's international plan — many offer add-on packages.

Time Difference

US Eastern (EDT)
--:--
UTC-4
+13h
South Korea
--:--
UTC+9

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I call South Korea from the US?
From a US landline, dial 011, then 82, then the number without its leading 0: 011 82 10-XXXX-XXXX for a mobile. From a cell phone, dial +82 10-XXXX-XXXX.
Do I dial the 0 when calling South Korea from abroad?
No. The leading 0 is only for calls inside South Korea. A number written 010-XXXX-XXXX at home is dialed +82 10-XXXX-XXXX from abroad.
How many digits is a phone number in South Korea?
9 or 10 digits for mobiles and 5 to 10 for landlines after the country code +82. Mobile numbers start with 010–012 or 016–019 when written with the leading 0.
What time should I call South Korea from the US?
South Korea is 13 hours ahead of New York (UTC+9 in Seoul). To reach someone between 9 AM and 8 PM there, call between 8:00 PM–7:00 AM EDT, or 5:00 PM–4:00 AM PDT on the West Coast. South Korea doesn't change its clocks, so the difference shifts by an hour when the US switches to or from daylight saving time.
How much does it cost to call South Korea?
It depends on your plan: many US plans charge per minute for international calls, and calls to South Korea mobiles often cost more than calls to landlines. Internet calling apps are free when both people have the same app.
South Korea Quick Info
Country Code +82
ISO Code KR
Capital Seoul
Time Zone UTC+9
Exit Code (US) 011
Full Country Profile
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