The +7 country code connects you to Russia. Whether you're calling Moscow, Saint Petersburg, or anywhere else across Russia's 11 time zones, the +7 prefix is what you need.
Quick Answer: The country code +7 is for Russia (and Kazakhstan). Russian numbers have 10 digits after +7. Mobile numbers start with 9. A Moscow landline looks like
+7 495 123 4567and a mobile like+7 916 123 4567.
How to Call Russia: Quick Reference
The dialing format depends on where you're calling from. Russia uses a domestic trunk prefix of 8 (not 0 like most countries), but you ignore that entirely when dialing internationally.
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +7 [10-digit number] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-7-[10-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-7-[10-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-7-[10-digit number] |
| Israel | 00-7-[10-digit number] |
| Australia | 0011-7-[10-digit number] |
Russia has a large diaspora, particularly in Israel (over 1 million Russian speakers), Germany (around 3 million), and the United States (roughly 3 million). This makes calls to Russian numbers common from all three countries.
Understanding Russian Phone Numbers
All Russian phone numbers are exactly 10 digits after the +7 country code. Within Russia, people dial 8 before the 10-digit number (so 8-XXX-XXX-XX-XX). When calling from abroad, you replace that 8 with +7.
Mobile Numbers
Russian mobile numbers always start with 9:
- Length: 10 digits after +7.
- Starting Digit: Always starts with 9.
- Common Prefixes: 903, 905, 909, 910-919, 920-929, 950-953, 960-969, 980-989.
- Example: Domestic 8-916-123-45-67 becomes
+7 916 123 4567internationally.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Russian landlines use area codes of 3 to 5 digits, followed by the local number. The total is always 10 digits after +7.
- Moscow: Area codes 495 and 499 + 7-digit local number.
- Saint Petersburg: Area code 812 + 7-digit local number.
- Smaller cities: Longer area codes (4-5 digits) + shorter local numbers. The total is still 10 digits.
- Trunk Prefix: Domestically, Russians dial 8 before the number. Drop the 8 and use +7 instead.
Russia Area Codes Reference Table
Russia uses 3- to 5-digit area codes. Major cities have short area codes; smaller cities have longer ones. Here are the area codes for the largest Russian cities:
| City | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Moscow | 495 / 499 | +7 495 XXX XXXX |
| Saint Petersburg | 812 | +7 812 XXX XXXX |
| Novosibirsk | 383 | +7 383 XXX XXXX |
| Yekaterinburg | 343 | +7 343 XXX XXXX |
| Kazan | 843 | +7 843 XXX XXXX |
| Nizhny Novgorod | 831 | +7 831 XXX XXXX |
| Samara | 846 | +7 846 XXX XXXX |
| Vladivostok | 423 | +7 423 XXX XXXX |
| Rostov-on-Don | 863 | +7 863 XXX XXXX |
| Krasnodar | 861 | +7 861 XXX XXXX |
Note: Moscow has two area codes (495 and 499). Both are valid and both connect to Moscow. The 495 prefix was the original Moscow code; 499 was added later to handle the city's growth.
Russia vs. Kazakhstan: Sharing +7
Russia and Kazakhstan are the only two countries that share a country code. Here's how to tell them apart:
| Country | Country Code | How to Identify |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | +7 | Number starts with +7 3XX, +7 4XX, +7 5XX, +7 6XX, +7 8XX, or +7 9XX |
| Kazakhstan | +7 | Number starts with +7 7XX (always a 7 after the country code) |
If the digit immediately after +7 is a 7, it's Kazakhstan. Any other digit means Russia. Kazakhstan is planning to migrate to its own +997 country code, but both +7 7XX and +997 are expected to work during the transition period.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +7 number is mobile or landline by the first digit after the country code:
- Starts with 9: A mobile number.
- Starts with 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8: A landline number (area code).
- Starts with 7: Kazakhstan (not Russia).
This matters because calling rates to Russian mobile and landline numbers are often different.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Russian numbers:
Example 1: Calling a Moscow Landline from the US
- Russian Number (domestic): 8-495-123-45-67
- From a US Mobile:
+7 495 123 4567 - From a US Landline:
011 7 495 123 4567
Example 2: Calling a Russian Mobile from the US
- Russian Number (domestic): 8-916-123-45-67
- From a US Mobile:
+7 916 123 4567 - From a US Landline:
011 7 916 123 4567
Example 3: Calling a Saint Petersburg Landline from the UK
- Russian Number (domestic): 8-812-234-56-78
- From the UK:
00 7 812 234 5678
Example 4: Calling from Germany
- Russian Number (domestic): Any mobile (e.g., 8-903-456-78-90)
- From Germany:
00 7 903 456 7890
Best Times to Call Russia
Russia spans 11 time zones, from UTC+2 (Kaliningrad) to UTC+12 (Kamchatka). Most of the population lives in the western part of the country, particularly Moscow (UTC+3).
Here's how Moscow time (MSK, UTC+3) relates to other time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Moscow 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Moscow is 8 hours ahead | 1 AM - 10 AM EST |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Moscow is 7 hours ahead | 2 AM - 11 AM EDT |
| US West Coast (PST) | Moscow is 11 hours ahead | 10 PM - 7 AM PST (night before) |
| UK (GMT) | Moscow is 3 hours ahead | 6 AM - 3 PM GMT |
| Germany (CET) | Moscow is 2 hours ahead | 7 AM - 4 PM CET |
| Israel (IST) | Moscow is 1 hour ahead | 8 AM - 5 PM IST |
Tip: Russia does not observe daylight saving time. Moscow stays on UTC+3 all year. If you're calling Vladivostok (UTC+10) instead of Moscow, add 7 hours to the Moscow times above. Novosibirsk (UTC+7) is 4 hours ahead of Moscow.
The 8 Trunk Prefix
Russia uses 8 as its domestic trunk prefix, not 0 like most of the world. This is a common source of confusion.
- Within Russia: People dial 8, then the 10-digit number. For example: 8-495-123-45-67.
- From outside Russia: Replace the 8 with +7. So the same number becomes +7 495 123 4567.
- Mobile numbers follow the same rule: Domestic 8-916-123-45-67 becomes +7 916 123 4567.
If someone in Russia gives you their number starting with 8, just swap the 8 for +7 and you're set.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the +7 country code:
- Including the trunk prefix 8: Don't dial +7 8 495... The 8 is the domestic prefix. Drop it and dial +7 495... directly.
- Wrong digit count: Russian numbers are exactly 10 digits after +7. If you have more or fewer digits, something is wrong.
- Confusing Russia and Kazakhstan: Both use +7. If the number starts with +7 7XX, it's Kazakhstan. Russian numbers never start with +7 7.
- Wrong time zone: Russia spans 11 time zones. Calling Vladivostok at a good time for Moscow means calling at 3 AM local time in Vladivostok. Check which city you're calling.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +7 country code?
The +7 country code is shared by Russia and Kazakhstan. Russian numbers start with +7 followed by 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9. Kazakh numbers start with +7 7.
How many digits is a Russian phone number?
Russian phone numbers always have 10 digits after the +7 country code. This applies to both mobile and landline numbers.
What is the area code for Moscow?
Moscow uses area codes 495 and 499. For international calls, dial +7 495 or +7 499 followed by the 7-digit local number.
What is the area code for Saint Petersburg?
The area code for Saint Petersburg is 812. Internationally, dial +7 812 followed by the 7-digit local number.
How do I call Russia from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +7 followed by the 10-digit Russian number. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 7, then the 10-digit number. Don't include the domestic trunk prefix 8.
What time should I call Russia from the US?
Moscow (UTC+3) is 8 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (EST). To reach Moscow business hours (9 AM-6 PM), call between 1 AM and 10 AM EST. For other Russian cities, check the specific time zone.
Is +7 Russia or Kazakhstan?
+7 is shared between Russia and Kazakhstan. Kazakh numbers always start with +7 7XX. Russian numbers start with +7 followed by any digit except 7.
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