+27 explained
The South Africa country code, 27, is what you dial before a South Africa number when you call from abroad. It is also known as the South Africa dialing code, South Africa calling code, or South Africa phone code. In the South Africa phone number format, +27 comes first, then the area code, such as 10 for Johannesburg, then the local number.
- Country code
- +27
- The 0027 country code is the same number
- ISO country codes
- ZA, ZAF
- Use the ZA country code or the ZAF country code on forms and passports. To call South Africa, dial +27
- Used in
- South Africa
- No other country or territory dials +27
- Exit code
- 00
- From most countries. Also 011 from United States and Canada, 0011 from Australia, and + from any mobile
- Trunk prefix
- 0
- Drop it after +27
- Number length
- 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 digits
- After +27
- Time now in South Africa
- South Africa mobile number format
- 071 123 4567
- From abroad: +27 71 123 4567
- South Africa landline number format
- 010 123 4567
- From abroad: +27 10 123 4567
+27 area codes of main cities
Each +27 area code below is in the form you dial from abroad: +27, then the city code, then the local number. Inside South Africa, callers leave out +27 and put 0 in front of the city code. So Johannesburg is +27 10 from abroad and 010 at home.
- Johannesburg
- +2710
- Cape Town
- +2721
- Durban
- +2731
- Pretoria
- +2712
- Gqeberha
- +2741
- Pietermaritzburg
- +2733
- East London
- +2743
- Polokwane
- +2715
- Mbombela
- +2713
South Africa phone number types
The first digits of a South Africa number tell you what kind of number it is: a landline, a mobile, a free number, or one that costs more to call. Here is a sample of each type of South Africa phone number, as dialed inside South Africa and from abroad.
Good to know before you call South Africa
“Howzit”
It is short for how is it, used simply to say hello
Reply
“Howzit”
Emergency number
10111
10111 reaches the police and also takes reports of a road accident. Call 10177 for an ambulance. From a mobile, 112 works on every network. Fire services have local numbers.
South African GovernmentSouth African phone numbers have 10 digits. Machine-to-machine numbers use 14 digits, and short codes use fewer than 10.
ICASA, NumberingJohannesburg has two area codes, 010 and 011. ICASA's numbering page lists both for the same city.
ICASA, NumberingA subscriber who switches network keeps their number. ICASA caps an approved porting move at seven working days.
ICASA, NumberingICASA can fine an operator between R300 000 and R3 000 000 for each break of the numbering plan rules.
ICASA, Numbering Plan Regulations - 2016The current numbering plan dates from 2016. It replaced an earlier plan from 2012.
ICASA, Numbering Plan Regulations - 2016
What it costs to call South Africa (using Suparelay)
Landline from $0.34/minMobile from $0.45/min
Only 93 of 220 countries cost less to call than South Africa.
Enter a numberEach bar counts the countries at that price
Want to call South Africa?
Call any phone from this tab. Nothing to install on either side, and you pay cents a minute.
Why a call to South Africa fails
You call from: 🇺🇸 United States
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.
- Connects
- 011 27 10 123 4567
- Does not connect
- 011 27 010 123 4567
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.
- Connects
- 011 27 10 123 4567
- Does not connect
- 00 27 10 123 4567
The number does not take calls from abroad
Numbers that start with 080 are free to call only inside South Africa.
- Connects
- 011 27 10 123 4567
- Does not connect
- 011 27 80 123 4567
Questions about +27
Which country is +27?
+27, or country code 27, belongs to South Africa. No other country uses it.
Is the ZA country code the same as +27?
No. ZA is the ISO code of South Africa, used in forms, addresses, and domain lists. The number you dial is +27.
What is +27?
+27 is the part you dial before a South African number when you call from another country. It replaces the first 0 of the number.
What is the difference between +27 and 0027?
The plus sign stands for the exit code of the country you are calling from. 00 is the exit code in South Africa and most of the world, so 0027 and +27 reach the same number there. From the US or Canada, dial 011 27 instead.
Do I drop the 0 after +27?
Yes. The 0 is South Africa's trunk prefix and only works inside the country. Dial +27 10 123 4567, not +27 010 123 4567.
Can I text a +27 number?
Yes. Write the number as +27 without its first 0, so a mobile number such as 071 123 4567 becomes +27 71 123 4567, and your phone sends the text abroad at your carrier's international rate.
How much does it cost to call South Africa?
A call to a South African mobile costs more than a call to a landline. The dialer on this page shows the exact price of the number you enter before you call.
Why does Johannesburg have two area codes?
Johannesburg uses both 010 and 011. ICASA's own numbering page lists both codes for the same city.
Can I keep my number if I switch networks in South Africa?
Yes. Number portability lets a subscriber keep a mobile or geographic number when they move to a new network, and an approved move takes at most seven working days.
The information on this page is accurate as of September 25, 2026.
ICASA, Numbering