ZA
South Africa Phone Number Format
Country code +27 — Complete guide to South Africa phone number formats, mobile and landline structures, and area codes.
How South Africa Phone Numbers Are Written
Phone numbers in South Africa have 5 to 9 digits for mobiles and 9 for landlines after the country code +27.
Inside South Africa a number is written with a leading 0, which makes 6 to 10 digits:
071 XXX XXXX.
Drop that 0 when you call from abroad or save the number in international format:
+27 71 XXX XXXX.
| Country code | +27 |
|---|---|
| Digits after +27 | 5 to 9 digits for mobiles and 9 for landlines |
| Trunk prefix (domestic calls) | 0, dropped after +27 |
| Mobile numbers start with | 01, 05, 06, 07 or 08 |
| Exit code (to call abroad from South Africa) | 00 |
| Dial from the US | 011 27 71 XXX XXXX |
Mobile vs. Landline Numbers
5 to 9 digits after +27, starting with 01, 05, 06, 07 or 08.
071 XXX XXXX at home+27 71 XXX XXXX international9 digits after +27. Landlines begin with an area code, for example Johannesburg:
010 XXX XXXX at home+27 10 XXX XXXX internationalSouth Africa Number Types
| Type | Starts with | Written at home | International | From the US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 01, 05, 06, 07 or 08 | 071 XXX XXXX |
+27 71 XXX XXXX |
011 27 71 XXX XXXX |
| Landline | 01, 02, 03, 04 or 05 | 010 XXX XXXX |
+27 10 XXX XXXX |
011 27 10 XXX XXXX |
| Toll-free | 080 | 080 XXX XXXX |
+27 80 XXX XXXX |
011 27 80 XXX XXXX |
| Premium rate | 086 or 090–092 | 086 XXX XXXX |
+27 86 XXX XXXX |
011 27 86 XXX XXXX |
| Shared cost | — | 0860 XXX XXX |
+27 860 XXX XXX |
011 27 860 XXX XXX |
| VoIP | — | 087 XXX XXXX |
+27 87 XXX XXXX |
011 27 87 XXX XXXX |
| Company number (UAN) | — | 086 XXX XXXX |
+27 86 XXX XXXX |
011 27 86 XXX XXXX |
X stands for any digit. Source: libphonenumber metadata (phonenumbers 9.0.40), Google's open numbering data.
Checking a number from South Africa? The phone number checker tells you if it is valid, mobile or landline, and gives its international format.
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 0: When dialing internationally, drop the trunk prefix (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: Numbers in South Africa have 5 to 9 digits for mobiles and 9 for landlines after +27. 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
+27prefix so they work from any country.
South Africa Phone Number FAQ
How many digits does a phone number in South Africa have?
Phone numbers in South Africa have 5 to 9 digits for mobiles and 9 for landlines after the country code +27. Written for domestic calls with the leading 0, a mobile number has 6 to 10 digits.
What do mobile numbers in South Africa start with?
Mobile numbers in South Africa start with 01, 05, 06, 07 or 08 when written for domestic calls. In international format the leading 0 is dropped: +27 71 XXX XXXX.
How do I write a phone number from South Africa in international format?
Start with +27, then the national number without the leading 0. For example, a mobile number written 071 XXX XXXX at home becomes +27 71 XXX XXXX. From a US landline, dial 011 27 71 XXX XXXX.
What is the toll-free prefix in South Africa?
Toll-free numbers in South Africa start with 080, for example 080 XXX XXXX. Many toll-free numbers can't be reached from abroad.
How do I call the US from South Africa?
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.