What does a South Africa phone number look like?
- International format
+27 711234567- IDD format (caller ID)
0027 711234567- Mobile example
-
0711234567(local) →+27 711234567 - Landline example
-
0101234567(local) →+27 101234567
Received a call or message from +27?
A call or text from +27 (or 0027) originates from South Africa.
If you don't know anyone in South Africa, 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 +27 number unless you have an account in South Africa.
- Spoofed numbers: The caller ID can be faked. A call showing +27 may not actually originate from South Africa.
If you do know someone in South Africa and want to call them back, see the dialing instructions below.
How to call South Africa from abroad
- International format (recommended)
-
+27 [local number]Example:
+27 71 123 4567 - From a mobile phone
-
Press and hold 0 or tap + to get the plus sign, then dial
+27followed by the local number. - From a landline
-
Dial your country's international access code, then
27, then the local number.
| From | Dial |
|---|---|
| US/Canada | 011 27 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 27 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 27 [local number] |
| Your browser (DialHard) | +27 [local number] |
Do I need to drop the leading zero?
Yes. When calling South Africa from abroad, drop the leading 0 from the local number.
For example, if the local number is 0XX XXX XXXX, dial +27 XX XXX XXXX.
What time zone is South Africa?
Africa/Johannesburg
Good time to call
06:10 PM local time · Weekend daytime
Good for personal calls.
How much does it cost to call South Africa?
International calls to South Africa vary dramatically by provider. Major US carriers charge $3.00/min or more, while VoIP services like DialHard start at $0.09/min.
| Provider | Rate/min | vs DialHard |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $3.00 | 97% more |
| Verizon | $2.99 | 97% more |
| T-Mobile | $3.00 | 97% more |
| DialHard | $0.09 | Save ~97% |
Carrier rates are based on published international calling rates without plan add-ons. Your actual rate may vary.
Current rates to South Africa
$0.09–$1.60/min
Rates vary by mobile vs landline. Billed per minute, rounded up.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the code +27 from?
+27 is the international dialing code for South Africa.
Is +27 a mobile or landline code?
+27 is the country code for all of South Africa — 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 +27 a scam?
Not necessarily. +27 is the legitimate country code for South Africa. However, scammers can spoof any country code. If you don't recognize the number or weren't expecting a call from South Africa, don't call back — especially if they only rang once.
Why won't my call to South Africa connect?
Common issues:
- Wrong format: Make sure you're using +27 (not 0027 or just 27)
- 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 South Africa phone number look like?
A South Africa number in international format starts with
+27 followed by the local number.
Example: +27 711234567
How do I save a South Africa number in my contacts?
Always save international numbers in E.164 format: +27 followed by the local number (without the leading 0 if applicable). This format works worldwide.
How do I block calls from +27?
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.