What does a British Indian Ocean Territory phone number look like?
- International format
+246 3801234- IDD format (caller ID)
00246 3801234- Mobile example
-
3801234(local) →+246 3801234 - Landline example
-
3709100(local) →+246 3709100
Received a call or message from +246?
A call or text from +246 (or 00246) originates from British Indian Ocean Territory.
If you don't know anyone in British Indian Ocean Territory, be cautious. Common patterns with unfamiliar international numbers:
- One-ring scams (Wangiri): The caller rings once and hangs up, hoping you'll call back a premium-rate number. Don't return calls to numbers you don't recognize.
- SMS phishing: Messages claiming to be from banks, delivery services, or government agencies. Legitimate organizations won't contact you from a +246 number unless you have an account in British Indian Ocean Territory.
- Spoofed numbers: The caller ID can be faked. A call showing +246 may not actually originate from British Indian Ocean Territory.
If you do know someone in British Indian Ocean Territory and want to call them back, see the dialing instructions below.
How to call British Indian Ocean Territory from abroad
- International format (recommended)
-
+246 [local number]Example:
+246 380 1234 - From a mobile phone
-
Press and hold 0 or tap + to get the plus sign, then dial
+246followed by the local number. - From a landline
-
Dial your country's international access code, then
246, then the local number.
| From | Dial |
|---|---|
| US/Canada | 011 246 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 246 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 246 [local number] |
| Your browser (DialHard) | +246 [local number] |
Do I need to drop the leading zero?
British Indian Ocean Territory numbers don't typically have a trunk prefix to remove. Dial the number as-is after the country code.
What time zone is British Indian Ocean Territory?
Indian/Chagos
Not a good time to call
10:12 PM local time · Late night / early morning
Most people are sleeping.
Calling British Indian Ocean Territory
Direct calling to British Indian Ocean Territory isn't available yet. View available destinations.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the code +246 from?
+246 is the international dialing code for British Indian Ocean Territory.
Is +246 a mobile or landline code?
+246 is the country code for all of British Indian Ocean Territory — both mobile and landline numbers use this code. The digits after the country code may indicate the number type, but this varies by country.
Is a call from +246 a scam?
Not necessarily. +246 is the legitimate country code for British Indian Ocean Territory. However, scammers can spoof any country code. If you don't recognize the number or weren't expecting a call from British Indian Ocean Territory, don't call back — especially if they only rang once.
Why won't my call to British Indian Ocean Territory connect?
Common issues:
- Wrong format: Make sure you're using +246 (not 00246 or just 246)
- Extra digits: Remove any trunk prefix (usually 0) from the start of the local number
- Missing digits: Ensure you have the complete local number after the country code
What does a British Indian Ocean Territory phone number look like?
A British Indian Ocean Territory number in international format starts with
+246 followed by the local number.
Example: +246 3801234
How do I save a British Indian Ocean Territory number in my contacts?
Always save international numbers in E.164 format: +246 followed by the local number (without the leading 0 if applicable). This format works worldwide.
How do I block calls from +246?
On most smartphones, you can block individual numbers by opening your recent calls, tapping the number, and selecting "Block." To block all calls from a country code, check your carrier's international call blocking options or use a call-filtering app.