A +1 country code WhatsApp number is a phone number with the +1 country calling code that can be used on WhatsApp. The +1 code is the designated country code for countries in North America, the Caribbean, and some other territories. When you add +1 in front of a phone number, it allows that number to be dialed from other countries.
What Does +1 Mean?
The +1 is the country calling code assigned to countries in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). This system includes the United States, Canada, and 16 Caribbean nations and territories. The +1 indicates that the number is from one of these countries when dialing internationally. Some specifics on the +1 country code:
- The +1 is also referred to as NANP code 1 or NANPA country code 1
- It is regulated by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA)
- Phone numbers that use the +1 code have 10 digits. The first 3 digits are the area code and the next 7 digits are the local phone number.
- Some common +1 country codes are:
- United States: +1
- Canada: +1
- Bermuda: +1 441
- Bahamas: +1 242
- Barbados: +1 246
So in summary, the +1 indicates the number is from a NANP country. Adding it allows the number to be dialed internationally.
Why Use +1 on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp uses the +1 code to recognize that a number is from a NANP country. Here are some key reasons to use +1 with WhatsApp:
- Indicates the number is from a NANP country when messaging internationally
- Ensures proper delivery of SMS/text messages between countries
- Avoids any confusion about which country the number belongs to
- Allows easy addition of contacts from NANP countries
- Enables calling through WhatsApp between NANP countries
In general, using the proper +1 country code with North American phone numbers enables full WhatsApp functionality when messaging or calling contacts in different countries.
How to Add +1 on WhatsApp
Adding +1 to a phone number on WhatsApp is very simple:
- Open the WhatsApp app and go to your contacts list
- Select the contact you want to add the +1 code to
- Tap Edit in the upper right corner
- Add +1 at the beginning of the phone number
- Tap Save to update the contact
This will save the contact with the proper +1 country code for WhatsApp. Some things to note:
- Always include +1 before the number, don’t use 1 before the area code
- Omit any zeros, brackets, or dashes when adding the code
- You only need to add +1, not the country name or abbreviation
- WhatsApp automatically formats the number with country code when saved
With just those few simple steps, you can easily update your WhatsApp contacts to show the proper +1 country code.
Countries That Use +1
There are 19 countries and territories that use the +1 country code as part of the NANP system. These include:
| Country | WhatsApp Country Code |
|---|---|
| United States | +1 |
| Canada | +1 |
| Anguilla | +1 264 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | +1 268 |
| Bahamas | +1 242 |
| Barbados | +1 246 |
| Bermuda | +1 441 |
| British Virgin Islands | +1 284 |
| Cayman Islands | +1 345 |
| Dominica | +1 767 |
| Grenada | +1 473 |
| Jamaica | +1 876 |
| Montserrat | +1 664 |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | +1 869 |
| Saint Lucia | +1 758 |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | +1 784 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | +1 868 |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | +1 649 |
| Sint Maarten | +1 721 |
So in summary, any country with +1 as the WhatsApp country code uses the NANP and is assigned numbers under the +1 calling code.
Examples of +1 WhatsApp Numbers
Here are a few examples of how +1 WhatsApp numbers are formatted:
- United States: +1 5551234567
- Canada: +1 7781110001
- Bahamas: +1 2423456789
- Jamaica: +1 8766544321
- Cayman Islands: +1 3457654321
The number after the +1 is the local phone number, following the North American numbering format. The first 3 digits are the area code, and the remaining 7 digits are the unique phone line.
When saving a NANP contact’s phone number in WhatsApp, always be sure to include the +1 country code before the rest of the phone number.
Pros and Cons of Using +1 on WhatsApp
Here are some of the key pros and cons to using the +1 country code with WhatsApp:
Pros
- Ensures messages to international contacts are delivered properly
- Lets you call NANP contacts through WhatsApp
- Identifies what country the number is from
- Easy to add and consistent format
- Works seamlessly when messaging within or between NANP countries
Cons
- Only works for NANP countries
- Requires updating contacts to add +1 code
- Extra digits make the number longer
- Some contacts may not recognize number with +1 code
Overall, the pros seem to outweigh the cons for most WhatsApp users messaging internationally. The +1 code provides important benefits and standardization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my WhatsApp number have +1?
WhatsApp adds the +1 code automatically if your phone number is from a NANP country. This identifies it as a North American number when messaging internationally.
Do I need to add +1 for calls or messages within the same country?
No, the +1 code is not needed for domestic calls/messages within the same NANP country. But having it doesn’t cause any issues.
Can I use WhatsApp without +1 on my number?
You can use WhatsApp without +1, but you may have issues with international messaging and calls. It’s recommended to add +1 for full functionality.
Does +1 work the same for mobile and landline numbers?
Yes, +1 can be used with both cell phones and landlines from NANP countries on WhatsApp.
What happens if I put the wrong country code?
Using the wrong country code may result in failed message delivery or incorrect caller ID. Be sure to verify and use the proper +1 code for NANP countries.
Using Local Number Formats
While using the +1 country code is recommended for WhatsApp, some users may prefer to save and share their local number without +1. Here are some guidelines:
- For the US/Canada, use 10 digits: area code + 7-digit number
- Omit any separators like dashes or brackets
- Other NANP countries have 7-digit local numbers after the area code
- Indicate the country name next to the local number
- May cause issues for international calls and messages
Adding a note with the country can help avoid confusion when sharing a local number format. But using the proper +1 country code is still the best practice for WhatsApp.
United States
For US numbers, the 10-digit local format looks like:
5551234444
Where 555 is the 3-digit area code and 1234444 is the 7-digit local phone number.
Canada
For Canada, numbers follow the same format as the US:
7782223333
With 778 as the area code and 2223333 being the unique subscriber number.
Other NANP Countries
Other NANP countries follow a similar format. For example, a Cayman Islands number would be:
3457654321
With 345 being the area code and 7654321 as the 7-digit subscriber number.
Troubleshooting Errors With +1
If you experience any issues using +1 numbers on WhatsApp, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure +1 is entered correctly without any extra characters
- Try re-adding the contact with the proper +1 code
- Verify the number is from a NANP country
- Check for any restrictions disabling international calling
- Contact your phone carrier if errors persist
- Request the contact enter your number again correctly with +1
Following these steps can help resolve any problems if your +1 WhatsApp number is not working properly. Re-adding contacts or the number itself with the right country code typically fixes most issues.
Conclusion
The +1 country code on WhatsApp indicates a phone number is from the North American Numbering Plan. It should be added when saving contacts from the US, Canada, or other NANP territories to enable full WhatsApp functionality. While local number formats can be used, +1 provides significant benefits for international messaging and calls. Following the proper +1 formatting and troubleshooting any errors can help ensure seamless WhatsApp communication.