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 from a US landline or +243 from a mobile phone.

+243
Democratic Republic of the Congo Country Code

Step-by-Step Dialing Instructions

1

Dial 011

This is the US international access code. It tells your carrier you are making an international call.

2

Dial +243

This is Democratic Republic of the Congo's country code. Every call to Democratic Republic of the Congo requires this code.

3

Dial the Area Code

Dial the city or area code for the region in Democratic Republic of the Congo you are calling (if applicable).

4

Dial the Local Number

Dial the remaining local phone number of the person or business you are trying to reach.

Visual Dialing Example

Here is how a complete call to Democratic Republic of the Congo looks from a US landline:

011-243-XX-XXXX XXXX
011
Exit Code
243
Country Code
XX
Area Code
XXXX XXXX
Local Number

Calling from a Mobile Phone

When calling Democratic Republic of the Congo from a US cell phone, you can replace 011 with the + symbol. This is simpler and works worldwide.

+243-XX-XXXX XXXX

Tip: On most smartphones, press and hold the 0 key to type the + symbol.

Calling Tips for Democratic Republic of the Congo

Best Time to Call

Early morning US time (7 AM - 10 AM EST) works best to reach people during their business hours.

Democratic Republic of the Congo is UTC+1, which is +6 hours from US Eastern Time (EST).

Cost Saving Tips

  • Use VoIP services like Skype, Google Voice, or Vonage for rates as low as $0.01/min.
  • 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.
  • Avoid calling from hotel phones; they charge premium rates.

Time Difference

United States (EST)
--:--
UTC-5
+6h
Democratic Republic of the Congo
--:--
UTC+1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the country code for Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The country code for Democratic Republic of the Congo is +243. You need to dial this code after the international access code (011 from a US landline or + from a mobile phone).
How do I call Democratic Republic of the Congo from my US cell phone?
From a US cell phone, dial + then 243 (the country code for Democratic Republic of the Congo), then the area code and local phone number. You can hold the 0 key to type the + symbol.
What time should I call Democratic Republic of the Congo from the US?
Democratic Republic of the Congo is +6 hours from US Eastern Time (EST). Early morning US time (7 AM - 10 AM EST) works best to reach people during their business hours.
How much does it cost to call Democratic Republic of the Congo from the US?
Costs vary by carrier. Traditional carriers charge $1-$5/min. VoIP services like Skype or Google Voice offer rates from $0.01-$0.10/min. WiFi calling apps like WhatsApp and Viber are free when both parties have the app.
Do I need to dial 011 before calling Democratic Republic of the Congo?
From a US landline, yes - dial 011 + 243 + local number. From a US mobile phone, you can dial + instead of 011, which is easier.
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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