Voice
How to Call Saudi Arabia
This guide provides helpful tips for calling Saudi Arabia from the U.S. Learn how to make calls to Saudi Arabia with confidence.
The Saudi Arabia country code is +966. Use +966 as the international dialing prefix for calls to Saudi Arabia from any country, then dial the saudi area code without the leading 0 and the local number. The ISO codes are SA and SAU.
SAUDI ARABIA COUNTRY CODE
+966
Dial before any saudi number from outside Saudi Arabia
What is the country code for Saudi Arabia?
| Quick reference | Detail | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Country Code | +966 | Dial before a saudi number |
| ISO Code | SA / SAU | Country identifiers |
| International Prefix | +966 | Use for calls into Saudi Arabia |
| Trunk Prefix | 0 | Use only for domestic dialing |
| Number Length | 8-9 digits after +966 | Area or mobile code plus subscriber number |
| Emergency | 911 | Police, fire, and ambulance |
Good to know: Saudi Arabia uses 2-digit area codes. Mobile numbers start with 5.
For saudi numbers, the 0 at the start of a domestic area code is the trunk prefix. Keep it for calls inside Saudi Arabia. Remove it when calling from another country.
How to call Saudi Arabia
Use this universal format: exit code, then +966, then area code with the trunk 0 removed, then local number.
- Dial your exit code, or press + on a mobile phone.
- Dial 966 for Saudi Arabia.
- Dial the area code without the leading 0.
- Dial the local subscriber number.
International call flow:
1. Exit code
→
2. +966
→
3. Area code without 0
→
4. Local number
Exit code by country
US and Canada
011
UK and most of Europe
00
Australia
0011
Mobile, any country
+
Saudi numbers use a 0 trunk prefix for domestic calls. Remove it when calling from abroad.
Dialing format and examples
The +CC format works on any mobile phone. Use +966 11 123 4567 for a Riyadh landline and +966 50 123 4567 for a mobile number.
| Origin | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| US/Canada | 011 966 area code local number | 011 966 11 123 4567 |
| UK | 00 966 area code local number | 00 966 11 123 4567 |
| Australia | 0011 966 area code local number | 0011 966 11 123 4567 |
| Mobile, any country | +966 area code local number | +966 11 123 4567 |
For other dialing guides, see How to call the Netherlands or How to call Germany.
What a Saudi Arabia number looks like
A saudi phone number in international format has two parts. The country code +966 and the national number.
Landline
+966 | 11 | 1234567
Mobile
+966 | 50 | 1234567
Number format and length
After +966, saudi numbers contain 8-9 digits after +966. Landlines and mobile numbers follow the national format.
| Number type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh landline | +966 11 XXX XXXX | +966 11 123 4567 |
| Jeddah landline | +966 11 XXX XXXX | +966 11 123 4567 |
| Saudi mobile | +966 5X XXX XXXX | +966 50 123 4567 |
Format a Saudi Arabia number for WhatsApp
For WhatsApp, save the Saudi number in international format with +966 and no trunk 0. A Saudi mobile written as 050 123 4567 becomes +966 50 123 4567. You can also save it without spaces as +966501234567.
If your team needs a saudi number for customer calls or local presence, see Telnyx Phone Numbers for numbers in 140+ countries with instant activation.
Good to know: WhatsApp needs the full international format. Drop the leading 0 before you add +966.
Saudi Arabia number formats and emergency numbers
Saudi numbers follow the national format. From another country, place +966 before the national number.
| City or region | Domestic code | International code |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | 011 | +966 11 |
| Jeddah | 012 | +966 12 |
| Mecca | 012 | +966 12 |
| Medina | 014 | +966 14 |
| Dammam | 013 | +966 13 |
| Abha | 017 | +966 17 |
| Number type | Dialed in NL | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | 911 | Police, fire, ambulance |
| Toll-free | 0800 | Free from saudi lines, not always reachable from abroad |
| Premium rate | 0900 | Can cost more than standard calls |
| Business numbers | 085 | Non-geographic business lines |
Keep in mind: 911 works inside Saudi Arabia only. If you are outside Saudi Arabia, call the emergency number for your current location. Some service numbers may not accept calls from outside Saudi Arabia.
Cost and best time to call Saudi Arabia
Call cost and timing depend on your carrier, your country, and whether you call a landline, mobile, toll-free, or premium-rate number.
How much does it cost to call Saudi Arabia
For business calling, Telnyx SIP Trunking gives per-minute pricing for calls to saudi landline and mobile destinations with usage-based pricing and no monthly minimums. Your total cost can change based on call volume, destination type, and fees from your current provider.
| Calling method | Cost pattern | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile carrier | Plan rate or international fee | Personal calls |
| International add-on | Recurring fee plus lower per-minute rates | Repeat callers |
| VoIP or SIP | Per-minute pricing by destination type | Teams and high-volume calling |
Good to know: Ask your provider whether saudi mobile calls are priced differently from landline calls. They often are.
Time zones and best time to call
Saudi Arabia follows Arabia Standard Time, UTC+3, year-round with no daylight saving. For business calls, aim for 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saudi time.
| Calling from | Offset from NL | Best call window |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | SA offset varies | 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. UK time |
| US Eastern | SA offset varies | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET |
| US Pacific | SA offset varies | 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. PT |
Good to know: Time differences can shift for short periods because daylight saving dates do not match in every country.
Is calling Saudi Arabia free
Calling Saudi Arabia is not automatically free. It may be free if your mobile or landline plan includes Saudi Arabia calling, if both parties use an app over data, or if a company gives you a reachable local number.
WhatsApp and similar apps do not charge per minute for app-to-app calls, but your internet or roaming plan may charge for data. Business callers can use SIP Trunking with usage-based pricing for the lowest per-minute rates.
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