Are you trying to call a friend, family member, or business contact in South Africa? Understanding the South Africa country code is the first and most crucial step to connecting successfully. Misdialing can be frustrating and costly, but this guide will make it simple.
The country code for South Africa is +27.
This comprehensive report will walk you through everything you need to know, from how to dial from anywhere in the world to understanding local area codes and saving money on international calls.
What Exactly is the South Africa Country Code?
The South Africa country code, +27, is a unique numerical prefix assigned to the country for international telecommunications. When you dial this code, it signals to the global telephone network that your call is destined for a phone number registered within South Africa.
The plus sign (+) at the beginning is a universal symbol for the international access code (also known as an exit code). When dialing from a mobile phone, you can usually just type +. When calling from a landline, you will need to replace the + with your country’s specific exit code.
How to Call South Africa from Anywhere: A Step-by-Step Guide
Dialing South Africa is a straightforward process once you know the formula. Follow these steps to ensure your call connects every time.
Step 1: Dial Your Country’s International Exit Code
This is the code you dial to make a call outside of your current country. Here are some common exit codes:
- USA & Canada: 011
- United Kingdom (UK) & most of Europe: 00
- Australia: 0011
- India: 00
Step 2: Dial the South Africa Country Code (27)
Immediately after the exit code, you will dial 27. Do not pause or add any other characters.
Step 3: Dial the South African Area Code (and Drop the ‘0’)
South African phone numbers, when dialed locally, start with a ‘0’. When calling internationally, you must remove this leading ‘0’. For example, the area code for Cape Town is 021, but you will only dial 21.
Step 4: Dial the Local Phone Number
Finally, dial the remaining digits of the local landline or mobile number.
Practical Examples:
- Calling a Cape Town Landline from the USA:
- Cape Town Number: 021-xxx-xxxx
- You would dial: 011 (US Exit Code) + 27 (SA Code) + 21 (Cape Town Area Code) + xxx-xxxx (Local Number)
- Result: 011-27-21-xxx-xxxx
- Calling a South African Mobile from the UK:
- Mobile Number: 082-xxx-xxxx
- You would dial: 00 (UK Exit Code) + 27 (SA Code) + 82 (Mobile Prefix) + xxx-xxxx (Local Number)
- Result: 00-27-82-xxx-xxxx
Key South African Area Codes and Mobile Prefixes
Knowing the area code can help you identify where in South Africa you are calling. Here is a list of major area codes and the prefixes for mobile numbers. Remember to always drop the leading ‘0’ when dialing from abroad.
| City/Region | Local Area Code | Dial Internationally |
| Johannesburg | 011 | 11 |
| Cape Town | 021 | 21 |
| Pretoria | 012 | 12 |
| Durban | 031 | 31 |
| Port Elizabeth | 041 | 41 |
| Bloemfontein | 051 | 51 |
South African Mobile Phone Numbers:
Mobile numbers in South Africa do not have geographic area codes. Instead, they use national prefixes. Common mobile prefixes include:
- 06x (e.g., 060, 061, 062) -> Dial 6x
- 07x (e.g., 071, 072, 073) -> Dial 7x
- 08x (e.g., 081, 082, 083, 084) -> Dial 8x
A complete South African number has 10 digits (including the leading zero). When you drop the zero for international dialing, you will dial a total of 9 digits after the country code 27.
High-Value Keywords Section: Saving Money on Calls to South Africa
International calling can be expensive, but there are many ways to find cheap calls to South Africa.
- VoIP Services: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers like Skype, Google Voice, or Vonage often offer significantly lower rates for calling South African landlines and mobiles compared to traditional carriers.
- International Calling Plans: Check with your local phone service provider about their international calling plans for South Africa. Sometimes, a monthly add-on can provide discounted rates or a bundle of minutes.
- Calling Apps: Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal allow you to make free voice and video calls to anyone who also has the app, using only a Wi-Fi or data connection. This is the most cost-effective method if both parties have a smartphone and internet access.
- South Africa Virtual Phone Number: For businesses or individuals who frequently receive calls from South Africa, a South Africa virtual phone number can be invaluable. This service provides you with a local +27 number that forwards calls to your phone anywhere in the world, making it cheaper for people in South Africa to reach you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Which country is +27?
A: +27 is the international dialing code for South Africa.
Q: What is the format for a South African phone number?
A: The standard format is (0XX) XXX-XXXX. When written for international callers, it’s often +27 XX XXX XXXX. The total number of digits after the +27 is always 9.
Q: Why is my call to South Africa not connecting?
A: The most common reasons are:
- Forgetting to dial your country’s international exit code (e.g., 011 or 00).
- Not dropping the leading ‘0’ from the South African area code or mobile number.
- Dialing the + symbol from a landline instead of the correct exit code.
Q: Can I use +27 to find someone on WhatsApp?
A: Yes. To add a South African contact to WhatsApp, save their number in your phone’s address book starting with +27, followed by their 9-digit number (with the leading 0 removed).