Skip to content
Country Dialing CodesConnecting a more open world A clearer
more connected world.
Country dialing code · zone 2

Tanzania +255

To call Tanzania from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 255, then the local number without its leading 0. In full: +255 621 234 567.

CapitalDodoma Dialing zone2 — Africa Local time07:51 UTC+3 Exit code from Tanzania00 + carrier code
Quick answer

The country calling code for Tanzania is +255. A number starting +255 or 00255 is a call to or from Tanzania. From abroad: +255 621 234 567.

Country code+255
CapitalDodoma
ContinentAfrica
Time zoneAfrica/Dar_es_Salaam
LanguageKiswahili or Swahili
CurrencyShilling
Emergency110 / 111 / 112 / 114 / 115 / 999
Exit code00 + carrier code
Trunk prefix0
Population56,318,348

To call Tanzania from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 255, then the local number without its leading 0. The +255 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).

How to call Tanzania from abroad

From the US / Canada011 255 621 234 567
From the UK & Europe00 255 621 234 567
From Australia0011 255 621 234 567
From any mobile+255 621 234 567

621 234 567 is a real-format Tanzania mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 0.

Tanzania area codes

In Tanzania, landlines usually include an area code after +255 (without its leading 0). Mobiles have no area code.

Number format

Landline, written locally022 234 5678from abroad+255 22 234 5678
Mobile, written locally0621 234 567from abroad+255 621 234 567

Landline numbers in Tanzania have 9 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 9 digits. The national prefix 0 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +255.

Calling abroad from Tanzania

To call another country from Tanzania, dial the exit code 00 + carrier code (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From Tanzania to the United States, for example: + 1 201 555 0123.

A Tanzania number in international format is written +255 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America). Switching to international format, drop the leading 0.

Cheapest ways to call Tanzania

With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call Tanzania 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 +255?

Tanzania has the country calling code +255.

How do I call Tanzania from the United States?

Dial 011, then 255, then the local number without its leading 0 — for example 011 621 234 567.

What does +255 mean?

It is the international dialing code for Tanzania. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).

Is +255 mobile or landline?

The +255 code identifies the country, not the line type; Tanzania landlines and mobiles share it.

A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.

Mobile networks in Tanzania

5 mobile network operators run their own networks in Tanzania. The largest is Vodacom, with about 28.6 million subscribers (July 2026). Pick the one with the best coverage where you will spend most of your time.

Vodacom5G4G3G2G
28.6 M subscribers · July 2026

Owned by Vodacom (75%)

Airtel5G4G3G2G
13.4 M subscribers · March 2020

formerly Zain

Owned by Bharti Airtel (51%)

Tigo5G4G3G2G
12.6 M subscribers · March 2020

Owned by Axian Group

Halotel3G2G
5.50 M subscribers

Owned by Viettel Tanzania Limited (Subsidiary of Viettel Group)

Zantel4G3G2G
0.93 M subscribers · March 2020

Owned by Etisalat (51%) and Zanzibar Telecom Ltd

Before you travel
  • 4G/5G frequency bands used in Tanzania: 5G, 5G 2300, 5G 2500, 5G 700, LTE 1800, LTE 2100, LTE 700, LTE 800. Most recent smartphones cover them; older or regional models may miss some.
  • Moving there? Mobile number portability has existed since 2017-03-01 and costs free.

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 Tanzania

Mobile subscriptions127 per 100 people2024
Internet users31 % of population2024
Fixed lines0.1 per 100 people2024

With 127 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, almost everyone in Tanzania has a mobile — a WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call is usually the easiest way in. Only 31 % 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 Tanzania

Toll-free+255 800 12 3456

Free from inside Tanzania (numbers starting with 800 / 808). From abroad these numbers are often unreachable or charged at the international rate.

Premium rate+255 900 12 3456

Surcharged services — ranges starting with 90. Do not call back an unknown missed call from such a range: the cost is far above a normal call.

Number ranges: ITU-T national numbering plan for Tanzania via Google libphonenumber.

Neighbouring countries

Mozambique +258Kenya +254Democratic Republic of the Congo +243Rwanda +250Zambia +260Burundi +257Uganda +256Malawi +265

All countries in zone 2 — Africa