The 27 country code belongs to South Africa. Whether you're calling family in Johannesburg, conducting business with partners in Cape Town, or reaching friends anywhere in the Rainbow Nation, the +27 prefix connects you to over 60 million people in Africa's most developed economy.

Quick Answer: The country code +27 is for South Africa. South African phone numbers have 9 digits after +27 (without the leading 0). For example, a mobile number 082-123-4567 would be dialed internationally as +27 82 123 4567.

How to Call South Africa: Quick Reference

The dialing format for South Africa varies depending on where you're calling from and what type of phone you're using. Here's a quick-reference table for countries with significant connections to South Africa.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +27 [number without leading 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-27-[number without leading 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-27-[number without leading 0]
Australia 0011-27-[number without leading 0]
Germany 00-27-[number without leading 0]
Netherlands 00-27-[number without leading 0]

Important: South Africa uses a trunk prefix (0) for domestic calls. When dialing from abroad, you must drop the leading 0 from the number.

Understanding South African Phone Numbers

South African phone numbers have a consistent structure. All numbers are 10 digits domestically (including the leading 0) or 9 digits internationally after the +27 country code.

Mobile Numbers

South African mobile numbers follow a consistent format:

  • Length: 10 digits domestically (including 0), or 9 digits internationally after +27.
  • Starting Digits: Mobile numbers start with 06, 07, or 08.
  • Common Prefixes: 060, 061, 063, 064, 065, 066, 067, 071, 072, 073, 074, 076, 078, 079, 081, 082, 083, 084.
  • Format: 0XX-XXX-XXXX (domestic) or +27 XX XXX XXXX (international).
  • Example: 082-123-4567 becomes +27 82 123 4567 internationally.

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

South African landlines use 2-digit area codes:

  • Structure: 0 + area code + local number (domestic) or area code + local number (international).
  • Area Codes: Always 2 digits (e.g., 11 for Johannesburg, 21 for Cape Town).
  • Local Number: 7 digits after the area code.
  • Example: Johannesburg number 011-123-4567 becomes +27 11 123 4567 internationally.

South Africa Area Codes Reference Table

South Africa uses geographic area codes for landline numbers. Here are the area codes for major South African cities:

City Area Code International Format
Johannesburg 11 +27 11 XXX XXXX
Cape Town 21 +27 21 XXX XXXX
Durban 31 +27 31 XXX XXXX
Pretoria 12 +27 12 XXX XXXX
Port Elizabeth 41 +27 41 XXX XXXX
Bloemfontein 51 +27 51 XXX XXXX
East London 43 +27 43 XXX XXXX
Kimberley 53 +27 53 XXX XXXX
Polokwane 15 +27 15 XXX XXXX
Nelspruit 13 +27 13 XXX XXXX

Note: Always drop the leading 0 from the area code when dialing internationally.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell whether a South African number is mobile or landline by the prefix:

  • 06X, 07X, 08X: Always a mobile number.
  • 01X, 02X, 03X, 04X, 05X: Landline numbers with geographic area codes.
  • 080: Toll-free number (cannot be dialed internationally).
  • 086: Share-call number.
  • 087: VoIP number.

This distinction matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers may differ with your service provider.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples for calling different types of South African numbers from various locations:

Example 1: Calling a Johannesburg Landline from the US

  • South African Number: 011-123-4567 (Johannesburg area code 011)
  • From a US Mobile: +27 11 123 4567
  • From a US Landline: 011 27 11 123 4567

Example 2: Calling a South African Mobile from the US

  • South African Number: 082-987-6543
  • From a US Mobile: +27 82 987 6543
  • From a US Landline: 011 27 82 987 6543

Example 3: Calling a Cape Town Landline from the UK

  • South African Number: 021-456-7890 (Cape Town area code 021)
  • From the UK: 00 27 21 456 7890

Example 4: Calling from Australia

  • South African Number: 083-123-4567 (mobile)
  • From Australia: 0011 27 83 123 4567

Best Times to Call South Africa

South Africa operates on South Africa Standard Time (SAST), which is UTC+2 year-round. South Africa does not observe daylight saving time.

Here's how South Africa's time relates to other major time zones:

Your Location Time Difference Call South Africa 8 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) South Africa is 7 hours ahead 1 AM - 10 AM EST
US West Coast (PST) South Africa is 10 hours ahead 10 PM - 7 AM PST (previous day)
UK (GMT) South Africa is 2 hours ahead 6 AM - 3 PM GMT
Australia (AEDT) South Africa is 9 hours behind 5 PM - 2 AM AEDT
Germany (CET) South Africa is 1 hour ahead 7 AM - 4 PM CET

Tip: For US callers on the East Coast, early morning calls connect during South African business hours. The UK and Europe have the most convenient overlap with South African working hours.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 27 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: The most common mistake. South African numbers start with 0 domestically, but you must DROP it when calling internationally. 082-123-4567 becomes +27 82 123 4567, not +27 082 123 4567.
  • Wrong number of digits: South African numbers always have 9 digits after +27. No more, no less.
  • Confusing mobile and landline prefixes: Mobile numbers start with 06, 07, or 08. Landlines start with 01-05.
  • Calling toll-free numbers: South African toll-free numbers (080) cannot be dialed from outside South Africa.

Cheapest Ways to Call +27 Numbers

International calls to South Africa don't have to be expensive. While traditional carriers can charge $1-$2 per minute, better options exist:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to South Africa, often under $0.10/minute. Check our international calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is extremely popular in South Africa. Messenger and Telegram are also widely used for calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer South Africa in their international calling bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.

Given the large South African diaspora in the UK, Australia, and other countries, affordable calling options are widely available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +27 country code?

The +27 country code is for South Africa. Any call from a number starting with +27 originates from South Africa.

How many digits is a South African phone number?

South African phone numbers have 9 digits after the +27 country code (without the leading 0). This applies to both mobile and landline numbers.

What is the area code for Johannesburg?

The area code for Johannesburg is 11. For international calls, you would dial +27 11 followed by the 7-digit local number.

What is the area code for Cape Town?

The area code for Cape Town is 21. Internationally, you would dial +27 21 followed by the 7-digit local number.

How do I call South Africa from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +27 followed by the South African number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 27, then the number without the leading 0.

What time should I call South Africa from the US?

South Africa is 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 10 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during South African business hours (8 AM - 5 PM SAST), call between 1 AM - 10 AM EST.

Do I need to drop the 0 when calling South Africa?

Yes. South African numbers start with 0 domestically (e.g., 011 for Johannesburg or 082 for mobile), but you must drop this 0 when dialing internationally. So 082-123-4567 becomes +27 82 123 4567.

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