MW
How to Call Malawi from the United States
Country code +265 — Dial 011 265 99X XX XX XX from a US landline or +265 99X XX XX XX from a mobile phone.
What to Dial
- 1Dial 011 from a US landline, or + from a mobile (hold the 0 key).
- 2Dial 265, the country code of Malawi.
- 3Dial the number: 9 digits for mobiles and 7 for landlines, without the leading 0 used for calls inside Malawi.
| Calling a… | Written in Malawi | From a US landline | From a cell phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 099X XX XX XX |
011 265 99X XX XX XX |
+265 99X XX XX XX |
| Landline | 01 XXX XXX |
011 265 1 XXX XXX |
+265 1 XXX XXX |
X stands for any digit. Mobile numbers start with 011, 021–022, 031, 077, 088–089 or 098–099. More number types: Malawi phone number format.
Mobile or Landline?
Malawi had 69 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 Malawi mobiles.
Source: World Bank (ITU).
Calling Tips for Malawi
Best Time to Call
To reach someone between 9 AM and 8 PM in Lilongwe, call between 3:00 AM–2:00 PM EDT (12:00 AM–11:00 AM PDT). Malawi doesn’t change its clocks, so the gap moves by an hour when the US does.
Malawi is on UTC+2, 6 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.