South Africa country code
+27 is the country code of South Africa. From the US, dial 011 27 71 123 4567; from a mobile phone, dial +27 71 123 4567.
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How to dial South Africa
Dial the exit code of the country you are calling from, then 27 without the plus sign, then the local number. Exit codes from ten large calling countries:
The example is a mobile number in South Africa, written locally as 071 123 4567. Leave out the leading 0 when you dial it with the country code.
Time in South Africa and the best time to call
South Africa is on UTC+2. Compared with New York its clock is +7 h, with London +2 h and with Dubai -2 h (today's offsets, daylight saving included).
South Africa does not change its clocks for daylight saving, so the offset stays UTC+2 all year.
Business hours in South Africa run 09:00–18:00 local time on working days. On other clocks that is:
The weekend in South Africa is Saturday and Sunday.
How numbers in South Africa are built
A number in South Africa is the country code +27 followed by a national number of 5–9 digits. The trunk prefix, where there is one, is dropped after the code.
Written locally as 071 123 4567, an example mobile number in South Africa is dialed as +27 71 123 4567 from abroad.
To call out of South Africa, dial 00, then the other country's code and number. On a mobile phone you can type + instead of 00.
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Right from your browser, no app or SIM card. Charged per started minute, with no connection fee.
Prices checked October 30, 2026.
A call or message from +27 you don't recognize
The country code shows which country's numbering plan a number is registered in. It doesn't show who is calling, and caller IDs can be spoofed, so a +27 number isn't proof that the person is in South Africa.
- Don't call back an unfamiliar international number, especially after a single ring. A missed call that tempts you to return it is a known callback trap, and a call to a premium-rate number can cost far more than a normal one.
- Never share verification codes, passwords or card details with someone who contacts you unprompted, whichever country the number appears to be from.
- If calls or messages keep coming, block the number and report it through your mobile carrier.
- Most calls from South Africa are ordinary calls from family, friends, colleagues and businesses. If you are expecting one, save the number once the person has confirmed it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the country code for South Africa?
The country code for South Africa is +27. From abroad, dial your exit code (00 from most countries, 011 from the US and Canada), then +27 without the plus sign, then the local number. Written locally as 071 123 4567, an example mobile number in South Africa is dialed as +27 71 123 4567 from abroad.
What's the exit code to dial South Africa from a mobile?
On a mobile phone you can skip exit codes altogether: type +27 and then the local number. From a landline, dial 011 from the US or Canada, 00 from the UK and most of Europe, or your own country's exit code first.
Do I need to drop the leading 0 when dialing South Africa?
Yes. Leave out the leading 0 after the country code: dial +27, then the rest of the number.
What time is it in South Africa, and when is a good time to call?
South Africa is on UTC+2. Business hours there (09:00–18:00) are 07:00–16:00 UTC, 02:00–11:00 in New York and 07:00–16:00 in London.
How many digits is a phone number in South Africa?
A number in South Africa has 5–9 digits after the country code +27, not counting a leading trunk digit.
How much does it cost to call South Africa?
With QuikRing a call to South Africa costs $0.59/min to a mobile and $0.57/min to a landline, charged per started minute. You call from your browser, so there is no SIM card, roaming plan or app to set up.
Who is calling me from +27?
The code shows which country's numbering plan a number belongs to, not who is calling, and caller IDs can be spoofed. Don't call back an unknown number, block it if it keeps calling, and report it through your mobile carrier.