How to Determine If a Telephone Number Is a Local Call?

Find out if the phone number is local so you can call it without incurring unexpected charges.

Sometimes an unusual number shows up on your home phone's caller identification and you are not sure where the call came from. If you want to call the number back, you should check first to see if it is a local or long distance number, so that you are not hit with unexpected charges on your phone bill. Fortunately, determining if a telephone number is local is easy to do.

Instructions

1. Examine the phone number to see if it has 10 numbers. Phone numbers from the United States have 10 digits, while international phone numbers typically have more.

2. Write down the phone number and keep the paper handy. Contact your telephone company either by phone or through their online customer service system. Give the customer service representative the phone number you are curious about and ask what charges you would incur if you called that number.

3. Entering the phone number into an online database is another option. The online database can tell you where the area code originates from, which will help you determine whether the phone number is local or long distance.

Tips & Warnings

• Telephone company websites often give information on what numbers are local and long distance. Log into your provider's website and type in the phone number you wish to call. The website will inform you if the number is long distance.

• Local phone books can tell you what area codes are considered local. Phone books are regularly delivered to homes, businesses and libraries. If the phone book is out of date it may not have the latest area codes listed.

• Long distance phone calls can cost extra, depending on your calling plan.

References

• 411: Free Directory Assistance
• AT&T: Local Service General FAQS

Resources

• AT&T: Find Your Local Calling Area