Do you need to dial 1 when calling 1 800 numbers?

Answer 1

In North America (USA, Canada, etc.), you generally need to dial 1 before a toll-free number if you are calling from a landline, but not if you are calling on a mobile phone (cell phone). The toll-free codes in North America are 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, and 844, with 833 and 822 reserved for future toll-free use.

Answer 2

800 is a toll-free prefix in North America (USA, Canada, etc.), and is generally dialed 1-800 from a landline phone. However, you can usually dial just 800-xxx-xxxx on a mobile phone (cell phone).

1800 is a toll-free prefix in some other countries, including Australia and Ireland. In those countries that use 1800 as a toll-free prefix (usually quoted as 1800, not as 1-800), you must always dial the 1.

Answer 3

If you are calling from North America (USA, U.S. territories, Canada, and certain island nations and territories mostly in the Caribbean),

• Dial calls to other locations in North America by dialing 1 + area code + number. If the call is to another North American country, international rates will apply.
• Dial calls to countries outside North America by dialing 011 + country code + city code + number. 011 is the international access prefix for calls originating from North America.
• Dial calls on a GSM mobile phone by entering the full international number, starting with the country code, including the plus sign. The country code for North America is +1. That way, even if you are roaming in Another Country, the mobile network will automatically substitute the appropriate prefix to complete your call.

(The plus sign means "insert your international access prefix here." From a GSM mobile phone, you can enter the number in full international format, starting with the plus sign. The most common prefix is 00, but North America (USA, Canada, etc.) uses 011, and many other countries use different prefixes.)

Answer 4

If you're in the same country as the company that is advertising that number, just dial the number.

If you're trying to reach a toll-free number from another country, your best bet is to dial it the same way you would dial it if it were a regular number in the other country. For example, for a U.S. or Canadian 1-800 toll-free number, dial it as +1 800 followed by the remaining 7 digits. The call may or may not go through, and if it does you will probably pay regular international rates. Alternatively, search on the web for a non-toll-free contact number for the company you are trying to reach.

(The plus sign means "insert your international access prefix here." From a GSM mobile phone, you can enter the number in full international format, starting with the plus sign. The most common prefix is 00, but North America (USA, Canada, etc.) uses 011, Japan uses 010, Australia uses 0011, and many other countries use different prefixes.)