How to call South Africa from the US
- From mobile
- +27 xx xxx xxxx
- From landline
- 011 27 xx xxx xxxx
From $0.34/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial South Africa from the US
How to make a call to South Africa from the US: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number. Drop the 0 that starts a South African area code: Johannesburg is 011 27 11, not 011 27 011.
- Fails
- 011 27 011 xxx xxxx
- Works
- 011 27 11 xxx xxxx
- 011The US exit code
- 27Country code of South Africa
- xx xxx xxxxThe number, area code first
- From a mobile: +27 xx xxx xxxx
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Example: +27 10 123 4567
- Mobile
- +27 10 123 4567
- Landline
- 011 27 10 123 4567
Main area codes in South Africa
The area code comes right after 27, then the local number
- Johannesburg011 2710011 2711then 7 digits
- Cape Town/Gordons Bay/Somerset West/Stellenbosch011 2721then 7 digits
- Durban011 2731then 7 digits
- Port Elizabeth/Uitenhage011 2741then 7 digits
- East London011 2743then 7 digits
- Newcastle/Northern KwaZulu Natal/Vryheid011 2734then 7 digits
- Richards Bay/St. Lucia/Ulundi/Zululand011 2735then 7 digits
- Klerksdorp/Lichtenburg/Potchefstroom011 2718then 7 digits
Before you call South Africa
Add the right city code
Each city code adds 7 digits, so the number after 27 is a 9-digit number.
- Johannesburg011 27 11
- Cape Town011 27 21
- Durban011 27 31
Type plus on a mobile
A mobile adds the exit code for you, so you skip 011.
- Press and hold 0 for +
- Dial 27
- Dial the area code and 7 digits
Calling South Africa cell phones
Calling South Africa from the USA on a cell phone follows the same steps as a landline call, without the first 0 of the number.
Calling South Africa from the US without an international plan
Suparelay calls South Africa for $0.34/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in the US charge up to $4.00/min. No US carrier that we checked includes South Africa in a plan, so each one needs an add-on or charges by the minute.
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan neededUp to 11× cheaper | $0.34 landline$0.45 mobile |
 | $4.00 + tax |
 | $3.00 + tax$0.30 + tax with plan |
 | $2.49 + tax |
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. The time difference to New York changes in March and November because the US changes its clocks, not South Africa.
- Time difference
- March to November: 6 hours ahead of New York
- November to March: 7 hours ahead of New York
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
Why a call to South Africa fails
AT&T bills Wi-Fi calls abroad at long-distance rates
An AT&T Wi-Fi call to an international number uses international long distance rates. The Wi-Fi connection does not make the call cheaper.
AT&T, Wi-Fi CallingFrom any country, a call to South Africa also fails when
- The 0 is still in the number
- The exit code is wrong for your country
- The number does not take calls from abroad
Questions
How do I call South Africa from the US cell phone or USA mobile?
Dial +27, then the number. It works from any mobile in the US
Are calls to South Africa included in the USA phone plans?
Not on most plans. No carrier in the US that we checked includes South Africa in a plan
How much does it cost to call South Africa from the USA?
With no plan, carriers in the US charge up to $4.00 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
How to call Johannesburg from the USA?
For Johannesburg, dial 011 27 10, then the 7-digit local number
Do I need to dial 011 to call South Africa?
From a landline, yes: dial 011, then 27. From a mobile, type + instead, and the phone adds the exit code
How do I dial a +27 number?
Press and hold 0 until + appears, then dial 27 and the number
Can I call South Africa on my iPhone?
Yes. In the Phone app, press and hold 0 for +, then dial 27 and the number. Your plan must allow calls to South Africa
Why isn't my call going through to South Africa?
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 listed above, with a link to its fix
How to call South Africa from the USA for free, or make a free call to South Africa?
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 to call South Africa from the USA on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and FaceTime call for free, but only someone with the same app. To ring a landline or a phone in South Africa without the app, use your phone plan, a calling service, or Suparelay
How to call South Africa landline from the USA?
From a landline in the US, dial 011 27, then the number
When is the best time to call South Africa?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in South Africa. March to November: 6 hours ahead of New York. November to March: 7 hours ahead of New York
How do you call South Africa from the US for an international call to South Africa?
Dial 011 27, then the number. From a mobile, +27 works too