How to Get a US Phone Number from Outside the US (2026)
Get a real +1 US number from any country in about a minute, with no US address or ID. Options compared, costs, and what US virtual numbers can't do.
Get a numberUK & US numbers from $2.00/month
Need a UK or US number? Get one from $2.00/month, no SIM →
To get a US phone number from outside the US, rent a virtual US (+1) number online. On callmins it takes about a minute: create an account, top up from $5, pick a number by area code, and it's live. The number costs $2.00/month, no setup fee, needs no US address or ID, rings in your browser or the callmins app for iPhone, Android and Mac, and receives texts free. Google Voice is the free alternative, but it requires an existing US number, so most people abroad can't sign up.
People ask for a US number from abroad for a handful of reasons: freelancers with American clients, sellers on US marketplaces, expats keeping in touch, students who will move to the US soon, and businesses testing the US market. This guide covers the options, what works, and what doesn't.
Your options, compared
| Option | Can you get it from abroad? | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual US number (callmins) | Yes, no ID or US address | $2.00/month, no setup fee | Clients, contacts, callbacks, texts |
| Google Voice | Rarely: needs an existing US number | Free | A free second line for US residents |
| Ad-supported apps (TextNow) | Mostly limited to US and Canada | Free with ads | Casual texting in North America |
| US prepaid eSIM or SIM | Some can be bought online; many need a US address | A full monthly plan | Living in or travelling to the US |
| Business VoIP (RingCentral, Dialpad) | Yes, for companies | Per user per month | Teams needing call queues and integrations |
If you live in the US and already have a US number, Google Voice is the obvious free choice. Our Google Voice alternatives guide goes deeper on why it is hard to use from abroad.
How to get a US number on callmins, step by step
- Sign up with email and a password, or with Google. No phone verification is needed.
- Top up the wallet by card, from $5.
- Go to buy a number, choose United States and filter by area code if you want a particular city.
- Buy the number. US numbers work immediately; there is no paperwork.
- Calls ring in your browser tab or the iPhone, Android or Mac app, and texts arrive in Messages. You can also forward calls to your own mobile anywhere; see how to set up call forwarding.
What it costs to use
- Number rent: $2.00/month, no setup fee, renewed monthly from your wallet. No contract; press “Don't renew” to keep it until the paid month ends.
- Incoming calls and texts: free.
- Calling US numbers: $0.017/min, so a 30-minute client call costs $0.50.
- Texts to US numbers: $0.09 each.
Calls to other countries are on the callmins international call rates page.
What a US virtual number is good for
- US clients and employers. A +1 number on your profile and email signature removes the friction of an international number. Clients call a local number; you answer in the browser.
- Caller ID. Show the US number when you call out, so Americans see a familiar number and answer.
- Callbacks and contact forms. Shops, landlords, schools and services that only accept US numbers.
- Staying reachable after leaving the US. Friends and institutions keep a US number to reach you on.
What it is not good for
Be clear on the limits before you buy. callmins US numbers don't receive WhatsApp or Telegram codes. If WhatsApp is your goal, a UK virtual number ($3.00/month, no setup fee) does. Many US banks and payment apps reject every virtual number for security codes, whatever the provider. And no virtual number can call 911.
Tips for freelancers and remote workers
- Pick an area code that matches your clients' region (or a neutral big-city code such as 212, 312 or 415).
- Record a short voicemail in your working hours' time zone so US callers know when to expect a reply.
- Calling at their 9 to 11am means early evening in Pakistan and India and the afternoon in the UK, a good window for a quick call.
- Keep the number for the long term: changing numbers mid-contract confuses clients and breaks old links.
If you're part of an agency calling US prospects, see our cold call dialer for agencies.
Common questions
Can I get a US phone number if I don't live in the US?
Yes. Virtual number providers rent real US (+1) numbers to people in any country. On callmins a US number costs $2.00/month, no setup fee, needs no US address and no ID check, and works as soon as you buy it, in a web browser or the callmins app for iPhone, Android and Mac.
What is the cheapest way to get a US number from abroad?
A virtual US number from a pay-as-you-go provider is usually cheapest: callmins charges $2.00/month, no setup fee, with free incoming calls and texts. Google Voice is free but needs an existing US number, and US carrier eSIMs cost far more because they include a full mobile plan.
Can I use a US virtual number for WhatsApp?
Not with callmins: our US numbers don't receive WhatsApp or Telegram codes. For WhatsApp, use a callmins UK (+44) number, which does. Many other providers' US VoIP numbers are also rejected by WhatsApp, so check before you buy.
Will a US virtual number work for banks and PayPal?
Sometimes, but don't count on it. Many US banks and payment services reject all virtual (VoIP) numbers for security codes. A US virtual number is best for clients, contacts, callbacks and ordinary texts. Test the specific service before relying on it.
Can I choose the area code?
Yes. When you buy a US number on callmins you can filter by area code, for example 212 for New York or 415 for San Francisco, subject to what the carrier has available.
Get yours on the US virtual phone number page. It's live in about a minute.