How to call South Africa
- From mobile
- +27 xx xxx xxxx
- From landline
- exit code + 27 xx xxx xxxx
From $0.34/min in your browser, from any country
How to call South Africa from another country
The exit code depends on the country you call from. Find yours, then dial the rest
How to dial South Africa from abroad
How to make a call to South Africa from another country: dial your exit code, the country code, and the number. A South African number has 9 digits after 27, such as an area code of 2 digits and 7 more.
- 00Exit code
- 27Country code of South Africa
- 11Johannesburg
- xxx xxxxLocal number
- From a mobile, type + instead of 00
- From the US or Canada, type 011 instead of 00
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Before you call South Africa
City codes after +27
Add 7 more digits after the area code.
- Johannesburg+27 11
- Cape Town+27 21
- Durban+27 31
Drop the 0 after 27
Saved contacts often keep the 0 of the area code, and it stops the call.
- Fails
- +27 011 xxx xxxx
- Works
- +27 11 xxx xxxx
East London and Port Elizabeth
These 2 cities have their own codes, each followed by 7 digits.
- East London+27 43
- Port Elizabeth+27 41
How South Africa phone numbers work
- Landlines
- Starts with 01 to 05. Both 010 and 011 dial Johannesburg
Want to call South Africa?
Type the number and call from your browser, with no app and no plan
When to call South Africa
The time now in South Africa, and the best hours to call. South Africa keeps the same time all year, so the time difference to you changes only when your own clocks change.
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
Holidays in South Africa
Offices close on these days by law
- Nov4Local Government ElectionsWednesday
- Dec16Day of ReconciliationWednesday
- Dec25Christmas DayFriday
- Dec26Day of GoodwillSaturday
- Jan1New Year's DayFriday
- Mar21Human Rights DaySunday
Why a call to South Africa fails
The 0 is still in the number
The 0 at the start of a South African number is only for calls inside the country. From abroad, leave it out: +27 takes its place.
The exit code is wrong for your country
00 is the exit code from South Africa, and it works from most countries too. Callers in the US or Canada need 011 instead.
The number does not take calls from abroad
Numbers that start with 080 are free to call only inside South Africa.
Questions
How do I call South Africa from another country?
Dial your exit code, then 27 and the number
Which exit code do I dial before 27?
From a landline, dial your exit code first: 00 in most countries, 011 in the US and Canada. From a mobile, + replaces it
How to call South Africa number, or a South Africa mobile number, from a mobile?
From a mobile in any country, dial +27, then the number
How do you call South Africa from a landline?
From a landline, dial your exit code first: 00 in most countries, 011 in the US and Canada. From a mobile, + replaces it
Why does my call to South Africa not go through?
The usual causes: the 0 is still in the number, the exit code is wrong for your country, and the number does not take calls from abroad. Each one is explained above, with its fix
What time is it in South Africa now?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in South Africa. Most of South Africa keeps the time of Johannesburg. South Africa has no daylight saving time
How much does it cost to call South Africa?
It depends on where you call from. Many plans in the US and Canada include South Africa. From a browser, Suparelay charges each started minute, at the price shown before you call
How to make a free call to South Africa or to a South Africa mobile number?
An app calls for free only when both sides have it. A call to a landline, or to a phone without the app, costs money
How do I type +27 on a phone?
Hold the 0 key until + shows, then type 27 and the number. It works the same in every country
Can I make a WhatsApp call, an online call, or an internet call to a South Africa number?
Free apps such as WhatsApp ring only people who have them. A landline in South Africa needs a phone network: a plan, a calling service, or Suparelay from your browser
What's the best way to make an international call, and how to call to South Africa?
It depends on where you call from. Many plans in the US and Canada include South Africa. From a browser, Suparelay charges each started minute, at the price shown before you call