Democratic Republic of the Congo flag CD

How to Call Democratic Republic of the Congo from the United States

Country code +243 — Dial 011 243 99X XXX XXX from a US landline or +243 99X XXX XXX from a mobile phone.

+243
Democratic Republic of the Congo Country Code

What to Dial

  1. 1Dial 011 from a US landline, or + from a mobile (hold the 0 key).
  2. 2Dial 243, the country code of Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  3. 3Dial the number: 7 or 9 digits for mobiles and 7 to 10 for landlines, without the leading 0 used for calls inside Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Calling a… Written in Democratic Republic of the Congo From a US landline From a cell phone
Mobile 099X XXX XXX 011 243 99X XXX XXX +243 99X XXX XXX
Landline (Kinshasa) 012 XXXXX 011 243 12 XXXXX +243 12 XXXXX

X stands for any digit. Mobile numbers start with 08, 090–091 or 096–099. More number types: Democratic Republic of the Congo phone number format.

Mobile or Landline?

Democratic Republic of the Congo had 59 mobile subscriptions and 0.0 landlines per 100 people in 2024. Most people you call will be on a mobile, so ask for their mobile number and check what your plan charges for calls to Democratic Republic of the Congo mobiles.

Source: World Bank (ITU).

Calling Tips for Democratic Republic of the Congo

Best Time to Call

To reach someone between 9 AM and 8 PM in Kinshasa, call between 4:00 AM–3:00 PM EDT (1:00 AM–12:00 PM PDT). Democratic Republic of the Congo doesn’t change its clocks, so the gap moves by an hour when the US does.

Democratic Republic of the Congo is on UTC+1, 5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time right now.

Cost Saving Tips

  • VoIP services such as Google Voice or Vonage usually charge less per minute than a carrier's standard international rate.
  • WiFi calling apps (WhatsApp, Viber, FaceTime) are free when both parties have the app.
  • Check your carrier's international plan — many offer add-on packages.

Time Difference

US Eastern (EDT)
--:--
UTC-4
+5h
Democratic Republic of the Congo
--:--
UTC+1

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I call Democratic Republic of the Congo from the US?
From a US landline, dial 011, then 243, then the number without its leading 0: 011 243 99X XXX XXX for a mobile. From a cell phone, dial +243 99X XXX XXX.
Do I dial the 0 when calling Democratic Republic of the Congo from abroad?
No. The leading 0 is only for calls inside Democratic Republic of the Congo. A number written 099X XXX XXX at home is dialed +243 99X XXX XXX from abroad.
How many digits is a phone number in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
7 or 9 digits for mobiles and 7 to 10 for landlines after the country code +243. Mobile numbers start with 08, 090–091 or 096–099 when written with the leading 0.
What time should I call Democratic Republic of the Congo from the US?
Democratic Republic of the Congo is 5 hours ahead of New York (UTC+1 in Kinshasa). To reach someone between 9 AM and 8 PM there, call between 4:00 AM–3:00 PM EDT, or 1:00 AM–12:00 PM PDT on the West Coast. Democratic Republic of the Congo doesn't change its clocks, so the difference shifts by an hour when the US switches to or from daylight saving time.
How do people in Democratic Republic of the Congo call the US?
They dial the exit code 00, then 1 and the 10-digit US number: 00 1 XXX XXX XXXX, or +1 from a mobile.
How much does it cost to call Democratic Republic of the Congo?
It depends on your plan: many US plans charge per minute for international calls, and calls to Democratic Republic of the Congo mobiles often cost more than calls to landlines. Internet calling apps are free when both people have the same app.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Quick Info
Country Code +243
ISO Code CD
Capital Kinshasa
Time Zone UTC+1
Exit Code (US) 011
Full Country Profile
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