The 966 country code belongs to Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia/KSA). Whether you're calling business contacts in Riyadh, family in Jeddah, or coordinating travel to Mecca, the +966 prefix connects you to this Persian Gulf nation of over 35 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +966 is for Saudi Arabia. When calling from overseas, drop the leading 0 from the Saudi number. For example, a Riyadh number like 011 234 5678 becomes +966 11 234 5678.

How to Call Saudi Arabia: Quick Reference

The key rule for calling Saudi Arabia is simple: always drop the leading zero. Saudi domestic numbers start with 0, but this trunk prefix must be removed when dialing internationally.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +966 [number without leading 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-966-[number without leading 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-966-[number without leading 0]
UAE 00-966-[number without leading 0]
India 00-966-[number without leading 0]
Pakistan 00-966-[number without leading 0]

Saudi Arabia is a major business hub in the Gulf region with millions of expatriate workers, making international calls to +966 numbers common for both business and personal reasons.

Understanding Saudi Arabian Phone Numbers

Saudi Arabian phone numbers follow a consistent 9-digit structure after the country code.

The Leading Zero Rule

All Saudi phone numbers begin with a 0 when dialed domestically. This is a trunk prefix, not part of the actual phone number. When calling from overseas, you must:

  • Remove the leading 0
  • Replace it with +966

This is the single most important rule for calling Saudi Arabia internationally.

Mobile Numbers

Saudi mobile numbers start with 05:

  • Domestic Format: 05X XXX XXXX (10 digits starting with 050, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058, or 059)
  • International Format: +966 5X XXX XXXX (9 digits after +966)
  • Common mobile prefixes: 050, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058, 059
  • Example: 050 123 4567 becomes +966 50 123 4567

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

Saudi landlines use 2-digit area codes followed by 7-digit local numbers:

  • Domestic Format: 01X XXX XXXX (10 digits total)
  • International Format: +966 1X XXX XXXX
  • Example: Riyadh number 011 234 5678 becomes +966 11 234 5678

Note: All Saudi landline area codes start with 01. The second digit identifies the region.

Saudi Arabia Area Codes Reference Table

Here are the Saudi Arabian area codes by region:

Area Code Region/City International Format
011 Riyadh (Capital), Central Region +966 11 xxx xxxx
012 Jeddah, Mecca, Western Region +966 12 xxx xxxx
013 Dammam, Eastern Province +966 13 xxx xxxx
014 Medina, Tabuk, Northern Region +966 14 xxx xxxx
016 Qassim, Hail +966 16 xxx xxxx
017 Abha, Jizan, Southern Region +966 17 xxx xxxx

Pattern to note: Area codes are geographic. Riyadh (central) is 011, the Western coast (Jeddah/Mecca) is 012, Eastern Province is 013, and so on.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell mobile from landline by the prefix:

  • Starts with 05 (or +966 5): Always a mobile number
  • Starts with 01 (or +966 1): Always a landline number

This distinction matters because calling rates to mobiles are typically higher than landlines with most international calling services.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples showing how to dial Saudi numbers from various countries:

Example 1: Calling a Riyadh Landline from the US

  • Saudi Number: 011 234 5678 (Riyadh area code 011)
  • From a US Mobile: +966 11 234 5678
  • From a US Landline: 011 966 11 234 5678

Example 2: Calling a Saudi Mobile from the US

  • Saudi Number: 050 987 6543
  • From a US Mobile: +966 50 987 6543
  • From a US Landline: 011 966 50 987 6543

Example 3: Calling a Jeddah Landline from the UK

  • Saudi Number: 012 345 6789 (Jeddah area code 012)
  • From the UK: 00 966 12 345 6789

Example 4: Calling a Dammam Number from India

  • Saudi Number: 013 456 7890 (Eastern Province area code 013)
  • From India: 00 966 13 456 7890

Best Times to Call Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia operates on a single time zone with no daylight saving time:

Time Zone Name UTC Offset
AST Arabia Standard Time UTC+3

Time differences from major cities:

Your Location Saudi Time Difference Call KSA 9 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) Saudi is 8 hours ahead 1 AM - 9 AM your time
US West Coast (PST) Saudi is 11 hours ahead 10 PM - 6 AM your time
UK (GMT) Saudi is 3 hours ahead 6 AM - 2 PM your time
India (IST) Saudi is 2.5 hours behind 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM your time

Tip: Saudi Arabia observes Islamic holidays and the weekend is Friday-Saturday. Business hours are typically Sunday-Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM local time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 966 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: The most common mistake. +966 011... is wrong; +966 11... is correct.
  • Confusing +966 with +971: +966 is Saudi Arabia, +971 is UAE. Both are Gulf countries but have different codes.
  • Wrong mobile prefix: Saudi mobiles start with 05X, not 04 or 06.
  • Confusing area codes: Riyadh is 011 (not 01 or 001). Jeddah is 012 (not 02).
  • Forgetting business hours: The Saudi work week is Sunday-Thursday. Friday and Saturday are weekend days.

Cheapest Ways to Call +966 Numbers

International calls to Saudi Arabia don't have to be expensive. Here are your best options:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Saudi Arabia. Check our Saudi Arabia calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is widely used in Saudi Arabia and allows free calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Many carriers include Saudi Arabia in Middle East calling bundles. Check our guide on how to make international calls.

Saudi Arabia has a large expatriate workforce from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, so affordable calling options are widely available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +966 country code?

The +966 country code is for Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia/KSA). This covers all of Saudi Arabia including major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, and Dammam.

How many digits is a Saudi Arabian phone number?

Saudi Arabian phone numbers are 9 digits after the country code. Landlines have a 2-digit area code plus 7 digits. Mobile numbers start with 5X and are 9 digits total (excluding the country code).

What is the area code for Riyadh?

The area code for Riyadh is 011. For international calls, you would dial +966 11 followed by the local number (dropping the leading 0).

What is the area code for Jeddah?

The area code for Jeddah is 012. Internationally, you would dial +966 12 followed by the local number. Mecca shares the same area code.

How do I call Saudi Arabia from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +966 followed by the Saudi number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 966, then the number without the leading 0.

Do I drop the 0 when calling Saudi Arabia internationally?

Yes, always drop the leading 0. Saudi domestic numbers start with 0 (like 011 for Riyadh or 050 for mobile), but when calling from overseas, replace the 0 with +966. So 011 234 5678 becomes +966 11 234 5678.

Is +966 Saudi Arabia or UAE?

+966 is the country code for Saudi Arabia. The country code for UAE is +971. Both are Gulf countries but have different codes.

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