The 52 country code belongs to Mexico. Whether you're calling family in Mexico City, conducting business in Monterrey, or reaching friends in Cancun, the +52 prefix connects you to Latin America's second-largest economy and the USA's closest neighbor to the south.
Quick Answer: The country code +52 is for Mexico. All Mexican phone numbers have 10 digits after the +52 prefix. For example, a Mexico City number would be dialed as
+52 55 1234 5678.
How to Call Mexico: Quick Reference
The dialing format for Mexico is now simpler than ever since the 2019 reform. Here's a quick-reference table for calling Mexico from common countries:
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +52 [10-digit number] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-52-[10-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-52-[10-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-52-[10-digit number] |
| Spain | 00-52-[10-digit number] |
| Australia | 0011-52-[10-digit number] |
With over 37 million Mexican-born people living abroad (primarily in the US), international calling to Mexico is common.
The 2019 Dialing Reform: What Changed
In August 2019, Mexico simplified its phone numbering system. Here's what you need to know:
- No more "1" prefix for mobiles: Previously, you had to dial 1 after +52 for mobile numbers. This is no longer required.
- All numbers are 10 digits: Both mobile and landline numbers now follow the same 10-digit format.
- No trunk prefix: Unlike many countries, Mexico doesn't use a leading 0 for domestic calls.
Old format (pre-2019): +52 1 55 1234 5678 (mobile)
New format (current): +52 55 1234 5678 (all numbers)
Understanding Mexican Phone Numbers
After dialing the +52 country code, you will always dial a 10-digit number. The first 2-3 digits represent the area code, followed by the local number.
Mobile Numbers
Mexican mobile numbers follow the same format as landlines:
- Length: Always 10 digits after +52.
- Format: Area code + local number = 10 digits.
- No special prefix: Mobile numbers are not distinguishable from landlines by their format.
- Example:
+52 55 1234 5678(could be mobile or landline).
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Mexican landline numbers also consist of 10 digits:
- Structure: 2-digit area code + 8-digit local number (major cities) OR 3-digit area code + 7-digit local number (smaller cities).
- Example:
+52 55 1234 5678(Mexico City, 2-digit area code 55). - Example:
+52 998 123 4567(Cancun, 3-digit area code 998).
Mexico Area Codes Reference Table
Mexican area codes are 2 digits for major cities and 3 digits for smaller cities. Here are the most important ones:
| City | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | 55 | +52 55 xxxx xxxx |
| Guadalajara | 33 | +52 33 xxxx xxxx |
| Monterrey | 81 | +52 81 xxxx xxxx |
| Puebla | 222 | +52 222 xxx xxxx |
| Tijuana | 664 | +52 664 xxx xxxx |
| Leon | 477 | +52 477 xxx xxxx |
| Cancun | 998 | +52 998 xxx xxxx |
| Merida | 999 | +52 999 xxx xxxx |
| Acapulco | 744 | +52 744 xxx xxxx |
| Puerto Vallarta | 322 | +52 322 xxx xxxx |
Note: Major cities (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey) use 2-digit area codes with 8-digit local numbers. Smaller cities use 3-digit area codes with 7-digit local numbers.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Mexican numbers:
Example 1: Calling Mexico City from the US
- Mexican Number: 55 1234 5678 (Mexico City)
- From a US Mobile:
+52 55 1234 5678 - From a US Landline:
011 52 55 1234 5678
Example 2: Calling Cancun from the US
- Mexican Number: 998 123 4567 (Cancun)
- From a US Mobile:
+52 998 123 4567 - From a US Landline:
011 52 998 123 4567
Example 3: Calling Monterrey from the UK
- Mexican Number: 81 8765 4321 (Monterrey)
- From the UK:
00 52 81 8765 4321
Example 4: Calling Tijuana from Canada
- Mexican Number: 664 123 4567 (Tijuana)
- From Canada:
+52 664 123 4567or011 52 664 123 4567
Best Times to Call Mexico
Mexico spans three time zones. Most of the country, including Mexico City, is on Central Time.
| Time Zone | UTC Offset | Major Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Central (CST) | UTC-6 | Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun |
| Mountain (MST) | UTC-7 | Chihuahua, Mazatlan |
| Pacific (PST) | UTC-8 | Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada |
Calling from the US
| Your Location | Time Difference to Mexico City | Call Mexico 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Mexico is 1 hour behind | 10 AM - 7 PM EST |
| US Central (CST) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 6 PM CST |
| US Mountain (MST) | Mexico is 1 hour ahead | 8 AM - 5 PM MST |
| US West Coast (PST) | Mexico is 2 hours ahead | 7 AM - 4 PM PST |
Tip: For US callers, Mexico is conveniently in similar time zones, making daytime calls easy. Tijuana and Southern California are on the exact same time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't let outdated information or simple errors prevent your call from connecting:
- Adding "1" before mobiles: This was required before 2019 but is now incorrect. Just dial +52 + 10 digits.
- Wrong number of digits: Mexican numbers are exactly 10 digits after +52. No more, no less.
- Confusing area code lengths: Major cities have 2-digit area codes; smaller cities have 3-digit codes. The total is always 10 digits.
- Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +52 (Mexico) with +53 (Cuba) or +54 (Argentina).
Cheapest Ways to Call +52 Numbers
International calls to Mexico are affordable due to the large calling volume between the US and Mexico:
- VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer rates as low as $0.02/minute to Mexico. Check our Mexico rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is extremely popular in Mexico - most Mexicans use it daily. Free calls over WiFi or data.
- International Plans: Many US carriers include Mexico in their plans or offer affordable add-ons. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.
Given Mexico's proximity to the US and the large Mexican diaspora, affordable calling options are widely available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +52 country code?
The +52 country code is exclusively for Mexico. Any call from a number starting with +52 originates from Mexico.
How many digits is a Mexican phone number?
Mexican phone numbers have exactly 10 digits after the +52 country code. This applies to both mobile and landline numbers since the 2019 dialing reform.
What is the area code for Mexico City?
The area code for Mexico City is 55. For international calls, you would dial +52 55 followed by the 8-digit local number.
Do I still need to dial 1 for Mexican mobile numbers?
No. Since August 2019, the "1" prefix for mobile numbers was eliminated. All Mexican numbers are now 10 digits - just dial +52 followed by the 10-digit number.
How do I call Mexico from the USA?
From a US mobile phone, dial +52 followed by the 10-digit Mexican number. From a US landline, dial 011-52 followed by the 10-digit number.
What time should I call Mexico from the US?
Most of Mexico is on Central Time (same as Chicago). Tijuana and Baja California are on Pacific Time (same as Los Angeles). Business hours are typically 9 AM - 6 PM.
Is +52 Mexico or Monaco?
+52 is the country code for Mexico. The country code for Monaco is +377.
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