South Africa Phone Number Format
Country code +27 — Complete guide to South Africa phone number formats, mobile and landline structures, and area codes.
Number Format Overview
Phone numbers in South Africa use the international country code +27. When dialing from outside South Africa, you must include this country code before the local number.
International Format
+27 [area code] [local number]
From the United States
011 27 [area code] [local number]
When dialing a number within South Africa, local dialing rules apply. You may need to include a trunk prefix (often 0) before the area code for domestic calls, but you should omit this prefix when dialing internationally.
Mobile vs. Landline Numbers
Mobile Numbers
Mobile phone numbers in South Africa typically:
- Begin with specific mobile prefixes
- May have a different length than landline numbers
- Are often 8-10 digits after the country code
+27 XX XXXX XXXX
Landline Numbers
Landline numbers in South Africa typically:
- Start with a geographic area code
- Area codes identify the city or region
- Total length varies by area code
+27 (area) XXXX XXXX
Example Phone Numbers
These are example formats only and are not real phone numbers:
| Type | Local Format | International Format | From US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landline (Pretoria) | (0XX) XXXX XXXX |
+27 XX XXXX XXXX |
011 27 XX XXXX XXXX |
| Mobile | 0XXX XXX XXXX |
+27 XXX XXX XXXX |
011 27 XXX XXX XXXX |
| Toll-Free | 0800 XXX XXXX |
+27 800 XXX XXXX |
011 27 800 XXX XXXX |
South Africa Area Codes
Major area codes in South Africa:
| Area Code | City / Region |
|---|---|
51 |
Bloemfontein |
21 |
Cape Town |
571 |
De Aar |
31 |
Durban |
431 |
East London |
24 |
Gordons Bay |
11 |
Johannesburg |
102103 |
Johannesburg CBD |
31 |
La Lucia |
331 |
Pietermaritzburg |
41 |
Port Elizabeth |
12 |
Pretoria |
16 |
Sasolburg |
21 |
Somerset West |
41 |
Uitenhage |
57 |
Welkom |
Dialing Tips
- Remove the leading zero: When dialing internationally, drop the trunk prefix (usually 0) that is used for domestic calls in South Africa.
- Use the + notation: From a US mobile phone, use
+27instead of011 27. - Verify the number length: Make sure you have the correct number of digits. If your call does not connect, check whether you need to add or remove an area code digit.
- Save contacts in international format: Always store phone numbers with the full
+27prefix so they work from any country.
South Africa Quick Info
| Country Code | +27 |
|---|---|
| ISO Code | ZA |
| Capital | Pretoria |
| International Prefix | 011 (from US) |