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Malawi Phone Number Format
Country code +265 — Complete guide to Malawi phone number formats, mobile and landline structures, and area codes.
How Malawi Phone Numbers Are Written
Phone numbers in Malawi have 9 digits for mobiles and 7 for landlines after the country code +265.
Inside Malawi a number is written with a leading 0, which makes 10 digits:
099X XX XX XX.
Drop that 0 when you call from abroad or save the number in international format:
+265 99X XX XX XX.
| Country code | +265 |
|---|---|
| Digits after +265 | 9 digits for mobiles and 7 for landlines |
| Trunk prefix (domestic calls) | 0, dropped after +265 |
| Mobile numbers start with | 011, 021–022, 031, 077, 088–089 or 098–099 |
| Exit code (to call abroad from Malawi) | 00 |
| Dial from the US | 011 265 99X XX XX XX |
Mobile vs. Landline Numbers
9 digits after +265, starting with 011, 021–022, 031, 077, 088–089 or 098–099.
099X XX XX XX at home+265 99X XX XX XX international7 digits after +265.
01 XXX XXX at home+265 1 XXX XXX internationalMalawi Number Types
| Type | Starts with | Written at home | International | From the US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 011, 021–022, 031, 077, 088–089 or 098–099 | 099X XX XX XX |
+265 99X XX XX XX |
011 265 99X XX XX XX |
| Landline | 012–019 | 01 XXX XXX |
+265 1 XXX XXX |
011 265 1 XXX XXX |
X stands for any digit. Source: libphonenumber metadata (phonenumbers 9.0.40), Google's open numbering data.
Checking a number from Malawi? The phone number checker tells you if it is valid, mobile or landline, and gives its international format.
Dialing Tips
- Remove the leading 0: When dialing internationally, drop the trunk prefix (0) that is used for domestic calls in Malawi.
-
Use the + notation: From a US mobile phone, use
+265instead of011 265. - Verify the number length: Numbers in Malawi have 9 digits for mobiles and 7 for landlines after +265. If your call does not connect, check that no digit is missing or doubled.
-
Save contacts in international format: Always store phone numbers with the full
+265prefix so they work from any country.
Malawi Phone Number FAQ
How many digits does a phone number in Malawi have?
Phone numbers in Malawi have 9 digits for mobiles and 7 for landlines after the country code +265. Written for domestic calls with the leading 0, a mobile number has 10 digits.
What do mobile numbers in Malawi start with?
Mobile numbers in Malawi start with 011, 021–022, 031, 077, 088–089 or 098–099 when written for domestic calls. In international format the leading 0 is dropped: +265 99X XX XX XX.
How do I write a phone number from Malawi in international format?
Start with +265, then the national number without the leading 0. For example, a mobile number written 099X XX XX XX at home becomes +265 99X XX XX XX. From a US landline, dial 011 265 99X XX XX XX.
How do I call the US from Malawi?
Dial the exit code 00, then 1 and the 10-digit US number: 00 1 XXX XXX XXXX. From a mobile phone you can use + instead of 00: +1 XXX XXX XXXX.