To call India from the USA, dial 011, then India's country code 91, then the number. From the UK, dial 00, then 91, then the number. On a mobile you can type + instead of 011 or 00. Drop the leading 0 that Indians use for long-distance calls: a mobile is just its 10 digits (011 91 98xxx xxxxx), and a landline is the STD code without the 0 followed by the local number (Delhi's 011 becomes 11). Below: how Indian numbers work, why calls from abroad now look different on Indian phones, which bank numbers work from overseas, and how to call from your browser.
Why calling India from abroad can be tricky
Your call shows up as "International Call"
Indian operators now label calls coming from outside India as "International Call". The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) introduced this so people know such a call cannot be from Indian authorities, and it advises caution with unfamiliar international numbers. The side effect for families abroad: parents who have been warned about scam calls may hesitate to pick up. Tell them in advance which number you will call from. [source]
Calls from abroad that show an Indian +91 number are blocked
Since October 2024 Indian operators run the International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System, which identifies and blocks international calls that display an Indian mobile number (+91). Services that put a fake Indian caller ID on a call from abroad will not get through. A call that honestly shows a foreign number is not what the system targets. [source]
Bank toll-free 1800 numbers are listed for callers in India
Indian banks publish their 1800 toll-free numbers for callers in India and separate numbers for customers abroad. SBI's NRI contact page lists the 1800 numbers under India, and gives country toll-free numbers (including the USA and UK) plus a chargeable +91 number for everyone else. Look for the "NRI" or "calling from overseas" number on your bank's official site. [source]
How Indian phone numbers work
- From the USA, international calls start with 011, followed by the country code (91 for India) and the number. [source]
- From the UK, the international prefix is 00, so a call to India starts with 00 91. On a mobile, + replaces 011 or 00. [source]
- Indian mobile numbers have 10 digits. Dial them after 91 with no extra 0. [source]
- Landlines use an STD (area) code. Inside India it is written with a leading 0, for example 011 for Delhi or 022 for Mumbai. From abroad, drop that 0: +91 11 for Delhi, +91 22 for Mumbai. The area code and local number together make 10 digits. [source]
- The first digits of a mobile number used to show the operator, but with mobile number portability people keep their number when they switch operators. You cannot tell from the number whether it is on Jio, Airtel, Vi or BSNL, and you do not need to: dialling is the same. [source]
Example numbers dialled from abroad
- Mobile: +91 XXXXX XXXXX
- Landline: +91 XXXXX XXXXX
India country code (+91) and dialing format
Mobile operators in India
| Operator | Number prefixes |
|---|---|
| Reliance Jio [source] | Not fixed (number portability) |
| Bharti Airtel [source] | Not fixed (number portability) |
| Vodafone Idea (Vi) [source] | Not fixed (number portability) |
| BSNL [source] | Not fixed (number portability) |
What a call to India costs with Calloza
| Landline | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Per minute | $0.126 | $0.092 |
| 10 minutes | $1.26 | $0.92 |
| 30 minutes | $3.78 | $2.76 |
| 60 minutes | $7.56 | $5.52 |
How to call India from your browser, step by step
- Open calloza.com in any browser on your computer or phone. No app needed.
- Sign up with your email address.
- Verify your card with Stripe to get 1 free minute (no charge), or top up your balance.
- Enter +91 and the number without the leading 0: 10 digits for a mobile, or the STD code plus the local number for a landline.
- Press call. The phone in India rings like a normal call.
Who you will be calling and how
Calling parents on their mobile
The most common call. Take the 10-digit number as it is saved in your phone, remove any leading 0 or +91 you see there, and dial +91 followed by the 10 digits. The call rings on their normal phone, so it works even when they have no data, a weak signal for WhatsApp, or a basic feature phone. Because the call will show as "International Call", let them know to expect it. [source]
Calling a landline at home or a local office
Landline numbers in India are often written as 0 + STD code + number, for example 011 2xxx xxxx in Delhi. From the USA or UK, drop the 0 and dial +91 11 2xxx xxxx. The same applies to government offices, schools, hospitals and shops that only have a landline. [source]
Calling your Indian bank's customer care
Use the number your bank lists for customers abroad rather than its 1800 number. SBI lists +91 80 2659 9990 (chargeable) for NRI customers, and ICICI Bank lists +91 40 3099 8025 as its global number. Both are ordinary +91 numbers, so you can dial them from the browser like any other Indian number. Check the bank's official page before calling: numbers change, and fake helpline numbers circulate online. [source]
Common problems and fixes
Family will not answer an "International Call"
This label is shown on purpose since the DoT asked operators to mark all calls from outside India. Send a WhatsApp or SMS message first ("calling you now from the US"), or agree on a time. Scam callers posing as Indian officials also call from abroad, so a short heads-up helps your parents tell you apart. [source]
Calls from your Indian SIM while roaming do not connect
The anti-spoofing system is meant to let genuine Indian subscribers who roam abroad through, but MediaNama reported concerns that it could wrongly block some of them. If calls from your roaming Indian SIM fail, call from a non-Indian number or from the browser instead. [source]
Bank OTPs still go to your Indian number
Indian banks send OTPs to the mobile number registered with them. Either keep your Indian SIM active and reachable abroad, or ask your bank to register your US or UK number. NPCI allowed UPI on NRE/NRO accounts with international mobile numbers from a list of countries that includes the USA and the UK; whether it works depends on your bank. [source]
The number "does not exist" or the call fails at once
Usually an extra 0: +91 0 98xxx xxxxx or +91 011 ... will not connect. Remove the 0 after 91. A mobile number after +91 must be exactly 10 digits. [source]
Echo or choppy sound
Browser calls depend on your internet connection. Use headphones, move closer to your Wi-Fi router or switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi, and close video streams running on the same connection.
FAQ
How do I call India from the USA?
Dial 011, then 91, then the number without the leading 0. For a mobile: 011 91 followed by the 10 digits. For a Delhi landline: 011 91 11 and the local number. On a mobile phone you can use +91 instead of 011 91.
How do I call India from the UK?
Dial 00, then 91, then the number without the leading 0. For a mobile: 00 91 followed by the 10 digits. For a Mumbai landline: 00 91 22 and the local number. On a mobile you can use +91 instead of 00 91.
Do I keep the 0 in an Indian number?
No. The 0 is only used for long-distance calls inside India. After +91 you dial the STD code without its 0 (11 for Delhi, 22 for Mumbai) or the 10-digit mobile number.
Can I call an Indian 1800 toll-free number from abroad?
Banks list their 1800 numbers for callers in India. From the USA or UK, use the overseas or NRI number published on the bank's official website, such as a country toll-free number or a +91 number.
Why does my call show as "International Call" in India?
Indian operators label all incoming calls from outside India this way, following DoT instructions meant to protect people from scam calls. It does not stop your call from ringing.
Does the person in India need an app or internet?
No. A browser call through Calloza reaches the normal phone network, so their mobile or landline simply rings.
Bottom line
Calling India from the USA or UK comes down to 011 91 or 00 91 and the number without its 0. If your family cannot use WhatsApp, if you need a landline, or if you have to reach a bank or office, Calloza lets you call any Indian number from your browser: pay per minute, no subscription, no app. New accounts get 1 free minute after a Stripe card check (no charge), enough to test the line before you top up.