South Africa Phone Number Format: Local & International

Do you want to call a client in South Africa but are unsure about the right dialing format?

Or If you’re planning a trip, starting a business, or just keeping in touch with friends and family, it’s important to know the right way to write South African phone numbers so you can stay connected.

If so, don’t worry. This article shall provide you with all the information you need about the correct dialing format for South African phone numbers and different ways to call various types of numbers in South Africa.

Once you understand the South Africa phone number format dialing format, you can successfully establish a connection in South Africa from anywhere in the world.

Now, let’s begin. 

What is the South Africa Phone Number Format?

A South African phone number format primarily consists of:

• South African country code

Country code refers to the international dialing code for South Africa, which is +27. This is the code that must be dialed while calling from abroad.

• An area code

South African phone numbers have a 3-digit geographic area code.

• Prefix

The prefix helps define the particular exchange within the region that the area code covers. In South Africa phone number format, the prefix is usually the local number’s first few digits.

• A local phone number

A South African local phone number consists of 7 digits.

Thus, this is what a South African phone number would look like:

Country’s exit code – South African Country code (+27) – Area Code – Subscriber number.

Types of South Africa Phone Number Format

Several types of phone numbers are used in South Africa. Let’s look at some important ones and their specialties.

1. Mobile Numbers
2. Landline Numbers
3. Toll-free numbers
4. Premium rate numbers
5. VoIP numbers
6. Emergency numbers
7. Shortcodes

Some Important Emergency Numbers

Emergency numbers are short telephone numbers used specifically for emergency services, public assistance services, and other similar services. These numbers can be reached by the public 24/7.

How to Dial South Africa Phone Numbers? 

To call a contact in South Africa, the caller must dial the phone number in the correct format. Let us look at an example where a call is made from the US to South Africa.

How do you call South Africa’s Landline number from the US?

Landline numbers in Macau are mainly used by businesses, government offices, universities, hospitals, hotels, inns, customer support, and local households for general communication.

To call a landline number in South Africa, you must dial 011-27-area code-XXXXXXX. Take the following steps:

• Enter the US exit code 011.
• Enter the South African country code +27.
• Enter the 3-digit area code. Omit the prefix “0” while dialing from abroad.
• Finally, dial in the designated landline phone number.

Example: To call a landline number in Cape Town, South Africa, the caller must dial 011-27-21-123-4567.

How do you call South Africa’s Landline number from within South Africa?

To call a landline number from within South Africa, you must dial: area code-XXXXXXX. Take the following steps:

• Enter the area code of that specific region.
• Dial in the designated landline phone number.

Example: To call a landline number in Cape Town, South Africa, the caller must dial 21-123-4567.

How do you call South Africa’s Mobile number from the US?

South African mobile numbers have a specific format consisting of a mobile network prefix code and subscriber mobile number. These numbers are mainly used for personal rather than professional purposes.

To call a mobile number in South Africa, you must dial 011-27-mobile prefix code-XXXXXXX. Take the following steps:

• Enter the US exit code 011.
• Enter the South African country code +27.
• Enter a 3-4 digit mobile prefix code. South African mobile number prefixes usually begin with 06, 07, and 08.
• Enter the 2-3 digit area code.
• Finally, dial in the designated cell phone number, which is 7 digits long.

Example: To call a Vodacom mobile number in South Africa, the caller must dial 011-27-72-123-4567.

How do you call South Africa’s mobile number from within South Africa?

To call a mobile number from within South Africa, you must dial the mobile prefix code-XXXXXXX. Take the following steps:

• Dial the mobile prefix (06, 07, or 08).
• Dial in the designated mobile phone number.

Example: To call a mobile number in South Africa, the caller must dial 072-123-4567.

How do you call South Africa’s Toll-free number from the US?

Toll-free numbers in South Africa are mainly used by customer service helplines, businesses, and government agencies to provide customer support and information.

To call a toll-free number in South Africa, you must dial 011-27-80-XXXXXXX. Take the following steps:

• Enter the US exit code 011.
• Enter the South African country code +27.
• Enter the prefix code for the toll-free number 080.
• Finally, dial in the designated toll-free phone number.

Example: To call a toll-free number in South Africa, the caller must dial 011-27-80-125-8965.

How do you call South Africa’s Toll-free number from within South Africa?

To call a toll-free number from within South Africa, you must dial 080-XXX-XXXX. Take the following steps:

• Enter the prefix code for the toll-free number 080.
• Finally, dial in the designated toll-free phone number, which is 7 digits long.

Example: To call a toll-free number in South Africa, the caller must dial 080-125-8965.

Most Commonly Used Mobile Number Prefixes in South Africa

Some most commonly used mobile number prefixes associated with various network providers in South Africa are:

Most Commonly Used Area Codes in South Africa

The international dialing code of South Africa is +27. The area codes of major South African regions are:

What Is the Best Time To Call South Africa?

The best time to call South Africa depends on your location and the time difference. South Africa operates on South Africa Standard Time (SAST) (UTC+2). Since it doesn’t observe daylight saving time, the time remains consistent all year round.

Business hours in South Africa are from 9 AM to 5 PM SAST. So make sure to call within these hours.

Final Words

Thus, understanding the right phone number format is highly essential to facilitate a smooth and effective connection to the receiver and to also ensure hassle-free and quality calling, ultimately improving personal and business communications.

Thus, make sure to follow all the above-mentioned rules to ensure productive communication with your contacts in South Africa.

Happy Calling!

FAQs

What is the South African Country Code?

The South African country code is +27.

How many digits are in a South Africa phone number format?

A South African phone number consists of 7 digits.

How to write a South Africa phone number format?

A South African phone number is written in the following format:

Exit code – South Africa country code (+27) – area code – local phone number.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when dialing South African numbers?

Here are some common mistakes that people make while dialing South African numbers that you must avoid:

1. Always remember to dial the international dialing code for South Africa (+27) while calling from abroad.
2. While dialing the local area code, omit the zero. For example, the area code for Johannesburg is 011. Thus, while dialing, dial +27 11 and not +27 011.
3. Make sure to check the format for the type of number you are dialing.
4. South Africa periodically updates its dialing systems. So, be sure to check for recent changes.
5. Make sure you are calling the person within business hours. This prevents your calls from being rejected or listed as spam calls.

What number is 082 in South Africa?

In South Africa, 082 is the mobile number prefix used by MTN, the country’s major telecom network provider.