Lesotho +266
To call Lesotho from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 266, then the local number. In full: +266 5012 3456.
The country calling code for Lesotho is +266. A number starting +266 or 00266 is a call to or from Lesotho. From abroad: +266 5012 3456.
To call Lesotho from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 266, then the local number as is. The +266 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).
How to call Lesotho from abroad
011 266 5012 345600 266 5012 34560011 266 5012 3456+266 5012 34565012 3456 is a real-format Lesotho mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, as is.
Lesotho area codes
In Lesotho, landlines usually include an area code after +266 (as is). Mobiles have no area code.
Number format
2212 3456from abroad+266 2212 34565012 3456from abroad+266 5012 3456Landline numbers in Lesotho have 8 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 8 digits. There is no national prefix to drop: dial the full local number after +266.
Calling abroad from Lesotho
To call another country from Lesotho, dial the exit code 00 (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From Lesotho to the United States, for example: 00 1 201 555 0123.
A Lesotho number in international format is written +266 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Cheapest ways to call Lesotho
With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call Lesotho for free. To reach a number without an app, VoIP services are usually cheaper than your operator’s international rate.
Frequently asked questions
What country has the code +266?
Lesotho has the country calling code +266.
How do I call Lesotho from the United States?
Dial 011, then 266, then the local number as is — for example 011 5012 3456.
What does +266 mean?
It is the international dialing code for Lesotho. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Is +266 mobile or landline?
The +266 code identifies the country, not the line type; Lesotho landlines and mobiles share it.
A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.
Mobile networks in Lesotho
2 mobile network operators run their own networks in Lesotho. The largest is Vodacom, with about 1.74 million subscribers (July 2026). Pick the one with the best coverage where you will spend most of your time.
Owned by Vodacom (80%), Sekha-Metsi Consortium (20%)
Owned by Econet Ezi Cel Lesotho (Pty)
- 4G/5G frequency bands used in Lesotho: 5G 3500, LTE 1800, LTE 800. Most recent smartphones cover them; older or regional models may miss some.
Operators, subscriber counts, network codes and switch-off dates: Wikipedia (lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G/3G phase-out, mobile number portability), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Figures come from each operator or regulator at the date shown.
Staying connected in Lesotho
With 70 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, mobile coverage in Lesotho is not universal — keep a landline number as a backup when you can. Only 52 % of people use the internet, so a plain phone call may reach more people than an app.
Source: World Bank / ITU World Telecommunication indicators (IT.CEL.SETS.P2, IT.NET.USER.ZS, IT.MLT.MAIN.P2), latest available year.
Free and premium numbers in Lesotho
+266 8002 1234Free from inside Lesotho (numbers starting with 8001–8006). From abroad these numbers are often unreachable or charged at the international rate.
Number ranges: ITU-T national numbering plan for Lesotho via Google libphonenumber.
South Africa +27