In our increasingly interconnected world, making international calls has become commonplace, whether for personal connections, business dealings, or travel arrangements. For Americans looking to connect with individuals and organizations across the globe, understanding international dialing codes is crucial. One such code that you might encounter is the 62 857 country code, which is part of the broader dialing system for Indonesia.
This article will demystify international calling, focusing on the significance of country codes like 62 857 country code and providing a clear guide for making calls from the United States to international destinations.
Contents
The Anatomy of an International Call
To successfully place an international call from the U.S., you typically need three key components:
- International Direct Dialing (IDD) Prefix: This is the code you dial to exit your current country’s telephone network and access the international dialing system. For calls originating from the United States, this prefix is almost universally “011”.
- Country Code: This unique numerical code identifies the specific country you are trying to reach. Every country has its own designated country code. For instance, the United States and Canada share the country code “1”, while Indonesia uses “62”.
- Area Code (if applicable) and Local Number: After the country code, you’ll dial an area code if the destination country uses them for specific regions or cities. Finally, you’ll dial the local telephone number of the person or business you wish to contact.
The Significance of the 62 857 Country Code
When you encounter the digits “62” at the beginning of an international phone number, it immediately tells you that the number originates from Indonesia. Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation in Southeast Asia, utilizes “62” as its primary country calling code.
The “857” that sometimes follows the “62” is not a standalone country code but rather part of a mobile phone prefix within Indonesia. Unlike landline numbers in Indonesia, which use city-specific area codes after the country code, mobile numbers typically have a mobile network prefix that comes directly after the “62” country code. So, if you see a number starting with 62 857, it’s almost certainly a mobile number in Indonesia. Other common mobile prefixes in Indonesia include 811, 812, 813, 815, 816, etc.
Understanding this distinction is important because the dialing format for landlines and mobile phones in Indonesia differs slightly after the initial 62 country code.

How to Call Indonesia from the U.S.
To place a call to Indonesia from the United States, follow these steps:
- Dial the U.S. Exit Code: Begin by dialing “011” on your phone. This signals that you are making an international call.
- Dial the Indonesia Country Code: Next, dial “62”. This directs your call to Indonesia.
- Dial the Area Code (for landlines) or Mobile Prefix (for mobile phones):
- For Landlines: You’ll need to find the specific area code for the city or region you are calling in Indonesia. For example, Jakarta’s area code is 21. So, for a Jakarta landline, you would dial 011 + 62 + 21 + local_number.
- For Mobile Phones: As discussed, you will dial the mobile prefix, such as “857” (as in the 62 857 country code example), directly after the “62”. So, for a mobile number, you would dial 011 + 62 + 857 + subscriber_number.
- Dial the Local Number: Finally, dial the remaining digits of the local phone number.
Example for a Mobile Number (using the 62 857 country code):
If the Indonesian mobile number you wish to call is 857-1234-5678, you would dial: 011-62-857-12345678
Example for a Landline Number (Jakarta):
If the Indonesian landline number in Jakarta you wish to call is 21-9876-5432, you would dial: 011-62-21-98765432
Important Considerations for International Calling
- Time Zones: Indonesia spans multiple time zones, so be mindful of the time difference to avoid calling at inconvenient hours. Research the local time in the specific region you are calling before dialing.
- Costs: International calls can incur higher charges than domestic calls. Check with your phone service provider about international calling rates or consider using international calling plans, Voice over IP (VoIP) services, or messaging apps that offer international calling features.
- Dialing from a Mobile Device: While the “011” prefix works universally, many smartphones allow you to simply use a “+” sign before the country code (e.g., +62 857…). The “+” typically functions as an automatic international access code, simplifying the dialing process.
- Verifying Numbers: Always double-check the complete international number, including the country code and any area or mobile prefixes, to ensure you connect to the correct party.
conclusion
encountering a number starting with 62 857 country code provides a clear indication that you are attempting to reach a mobile phone in Indonesia. By understanding the straightforward process of international dialing, American callers can confidently connect with friends, family, and colleagues across the globe, making our world feel a little smaller.