How to Get a US Phone Number Online From Any Country

Short answer: The easiest way to get a US phone number from outside the US is a virtual number service. You sign up online, pick a US area code and use the number in an app or browser over the internet. With TINE, a US number costs $5 a month and you don't need ID, a US address or an existing US number. Google Voice is free but needs an existing US mobile number and ID, so it rarely works for people abroad. A US eSIM is the other option if you want a carrier line on your phone.

Your Options at a Glance

Prices and rules were checked on providers' own pages in October 2026.

Why People Outside the US Want a US Number

• US clients and employers. A US number means no international dialling, and your number looks familiar on their screen. See how to look local to US clients.
• US services and apps. Some US sites only accept a US number at sign-up.
• Family and friends in the US. They can call or text you as a local number.
• Keeping a US number after you move abroad. Expats often need one for accounts that still send codes.

Option 1: A Virtual US Number (Best for Most People)

A virtual number is a real US phone number that works over the internet instead of a SIM card. Anyone in the US can call or text it as normal. You answer from an app or web browser, wherever you are.

How to get one with TINE:

1. Go to tinetech.org from any country.
2. Create an account with your email and the phone number you already have. You don't need ID, a US address or a Social Security number.
3. Choose a US area code and pick a number.
4. Choose a plan. It's $5 a month, $13.49 for 3 months, $25.99 for 6 months or $49.99 a year (about $4.17 a month).
5. Start calling and texting from your browser on your laptop or phone, with HD voice calls. To take calls, keep TINE open in a browser tab.

What it costs to use: each plan includes some calling and texting credit, $0.50 on the monthly plan and up to $8 on the annual plan. After that, outgoing calls are $0.03 a minute, incoming calls $0.02 a minute, and texts $0.03 per 160-character segment. See the full US number plans.

What to know:

• TINE US numbers call and text US and Canadian numbers. They don't call other countries, so they won't replace your local number for calls home.
• It needs an internet connection. Wi-Fi or mobile data both work.
• Some services refuse virtual numbers. More on that below.

Option 2: Google Voice (Hard to Use From Abroad)

Google Voice gives you a free US number, but it's built for people who already live in the US:

• You need an existing US mobile number to set it up.
• New numbers need a government ID. Google's help page says people who request a new number can't call or text until they verify their identity.
• Personal accounts are for the US. If you move abroad, you can lose the number if you don't use it: Google can reclaim a number after three months without calls or texts.

If you already have Google Voice and want to switch, see the best Google Voice alternatives.

Option 3: A US eSIM or Prepaid SIM

A US carrier line gives you a traditional mobile number. Low-cost carriers start at about $5 to $15 a month; for example, Tello had a $5 plan with 300 minutes and unlimited texts in October 2026.

The catches for people abroad:

• Activation and billing. Some carriers want a US address or US payment card, so check before you buy.
• Roaming. Outside the US, a carrier line only works if the plan includes international roaming. Otherwise calls and texts may not reach you.
• One phone only. You can't use the number from your laptop.

It makes sense if you spend long stretches in the US. If you mostly stay abroad, a virtual number is simpler.

Option 4: Skype (No Longer Available)

Skype used to sell US "Skype Numbers". Skype has now closed, and its numbers ended in May 2026. See our guide to Skype Number alternatives.

What about WhatsApp or Viber? They use the number you already have, so they don't give you a US number.

Will a Virtual US Number Get Verification Codes?

Often, yes, but not always:

• Many services send codes to virtual numbers without problems.
• Some refuse all virtual (VoIP) numbers. This is most common with banks and some payment and social apps. No virtual number provider can get around that.
• Some send codes from short codes that only reach carrier lines.
• We tested WhatsApp: it doesn't accept TINE US numbers.

If a code matters to you, test your number with that service first. Our guide to verification codes that don't arrive explains the causes and fixes.

Choosing a US Area Code

• For business, match where your customers are. New York (212, 646, 332) and San Francisco (415, 628) are familiar anywhere.
• For family, pick the area code where most of them live.
• For general use, any major city code works.

Availability depends on which numbers are free at the time you sign up.

Country Guides

We've written step-by-step guides for people in India, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Philippines, the UK and Canada. They cover local payment cards, time zones and the uses that come up most in each country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a US phone number if I don't live in the US?

Yes. Virtual number services like TINE let you sign up from any country and pick a US number. You don't need an existing US number, a US address or ID.

Can I get a US phone number online for free?

Google Voice is free, but it needs an existing US mobile number and ID for new numbers, so it rarely works from abroad. Free ad-supported apps are mostly built for people in the US. See our free second phone number guide.

Is a virtual US number a real phone number?

Yes. It's a real +1 number that anyone can call or text from a normal phone. It runs over the internet instead of on a SIM card.

Do I need a US address or Social Security number?

Not with TINE. Some US carriers ask for a US address to activate a SIM or eSIM.

How fast can I get a US number?

With TINE, a few minutes. You can make your first call or send your first text straight away.

Can I call my home country from a TINE US number?

No. TINE US numbers call and text US and Canadian numbers only.

The Bottom Line

You don't need to live in the US or visit a phone store to get a US number. For most people abroad, a virtual number is the quickest and cheapest way: a real +1 number, your choice of area code, from $5 a month. Choose a US eSIM only if you'll spend long stretches in the US and want a carrier line.