In the United States, phone numbers follow a specific format that facilitates easy dialing and communication. Whether you’re dialing a local number, a long-distance number, or an international number, understanding the structure and rules of U.S. phone numbers can help avoid confusion.
Structure of U.S. Phone Numbers
U.S. phone numbers are composed of 10 digits, divided into three segments. Here’s a breakdown of the structure:
Area Code
The area code is a three-digit number that identifies a specific geographic region or city. It is the first part of the phone number and helps route https://bcellphonelist.com/europe-cell-phone-number-list/ the call to the appropriate area.
For example:
- 212 for Manhattan, New York
- 310 for Los Angeles, California
Prefix (Central Office Code)
Following the area code is the prefix, also known as the central office code. This three-digit number further narrows down the location within An overlay code is an additional the area code, typically representing a specific neighborhood or exchange.
For example:
- 555 is commonly used for fictional numbers in movies and TV shows
- 703 for parts of Northern Virginia
Line Number
The line number is the final four digits of the phone number. This segment uniquely identifies a specific phone line within the prefix area.
For example:
- 1234 might be the line number for a particular phone in a building with the 555 prefix.
Formatting of U.S. Phone Numbers
Proper formatting helps ensure that phone numbers are easily recognizable and dialed correctly. The standard format for U.S. phone numbers is:
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(NXX) NXX-YYYY
Where:
- N represents a digit from 2 to 9 (to avoid confusion with toll-free numbers)
- X represents any digit from 0 to 9
- YYYY is a four-digit line number
Examples
Here are some formatted examples:
- (202) 555-0171
- (415) 666-7890
- (718) 123-4567
International Dialing
When dialing a U.S. phone number from abroad, you need to include the country code, which is +1. The format changes slightly to:
