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How to Call Ethiopia from the United States
Country code +251 — Dial 011 251 91 XXX XXXX from a US landline or +251 91 XXX XXXX from a mobile phone.
What to Dial
- 1Dial 011 from a US landline, or + from a mobile (hold the 0 key).
- 2Dial 251, the country code of Ethiopia.
- 3Dial the number: 9 digits, without the leading 0 used for calls inside Ethiopia.
| Calling a… | Written in Ethiopia | From a US landline | From a cell phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 091 XXX XXXX |
011 251 91 XXX XXXX |
+251 91 XXX XXXX |
| Landline (Arada I, Addis Ababa) | 011 XXX XXXX |
011 251 11 XXX XXXX |
+251 11 XXX XXXX |
X stands for any digit. Mobile numbers start with 070–073, 077–079, 080–081 or 09. More number types: Ethiopia phone number format.
Mobile or Landline?
Ethiopia had 65 mobile subscriptions and 0.6 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 Ethiopia mobiles.
Source: World Bank (ITU).
Calling Tips for Ethiopia
Best Time to Call
To reach someone between 9 AM and 8 PM in Addis Ababa, call between 1:00 AM–12:00 PM EST (10:00 PM–9:00 AM PST). Ethiopia doesn’t change its clocks, so the gap moves by an hour when the US does.
Ethiopia is on UTC+3, 8 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.