International dialing
How to call Egypt from United States
- Exit code 011
- Country code +20
- Drop the leading 0
Reviewed by Sujan ThapaliyaLast updated
Calling Egypt from United States
Dial 011 (the United States exit code), then 20 (Egypt’s country code), then the local number with its leading 0 removed. So +20 2 1234 5678 is dialled as 011 20 2 1234 5678. From a mobile you can dial +20 directly instead of 011.
The dialing sequence
- Exit code from United States
- 011
- Egypt country code
- +20
- Trunk prefix to remove
- 0
- Domestic numbers start with 0; drop it from abroad.
- Full sequence
- 011 + 20 + local number (drop the leading 0)
- Time in Egypt
- EET (UTC+2/+3)
- United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4).
Step by step
Dialing Egypt from United States
Four steps, and the third one is where almost every failed call goes wrong.
- 1
Dial 011: the exit code for United States
011 tells the United States network that the call is leaving the country. On a mobile you can press and hold 0 to type a + instead, which works from any country and any SIM; it is the more reliable option when you travel. - 2
Dial 20: the country code for Egypt
20 is Egypt's country calling code. It never changes and is the same no matter where you are calling from. - 3
Drop the leading 0 from the local number
Numbers written for domestic use in Egypt begin with 0. That digit is a national trunk prefix and is not part of the number. Remove it: +20 2 1234 5678 is dialled as 2 1234 5678 after the country code. - 4
Check the local time before you dial
Egypt is on EET (UTC+2/+3) and United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4). Work out the overlap before calling; the most common cause of an unanswered international business call is simply the hour.
Worked examples
What the number looks like at each stage
These are format patterns showing digit grouping, not working numbers.
| Written in Egypt | Dialed from United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Landline | 02 1234 5678 | 011 20 2 1234 5678 |
| Mobile | +20 1X XXXX XXXX | 011 20 10 1234 5678 |
| From a mobile (+) | n/a | +20 10 1234 5678 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I call Egypt from the United States?
Dial 011, then 20, then the local number with its leading 0 removed. For example, +20 2 1234 5678 is dialled as 011 20 2 1234 5678.
What is the country code for Egypt?
+20. From United States you reach it by dialling 011 first, or by dialling + directly from a mobile.
Do I include the 0 when calling Egypt?
No. The leading 0 is only used inside Egypt. Including it from abroad is the most common reason the call fails to connect.
How do I call a Egypt mobile from United States?
Exactly the same way as a landline: 011 + 20 + the mobile number without its leading 0. A Egypt mobile in international format looks like +20 10 1234 5678.
What is the time difference between United States and Egypt?
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4) and Egypt is on EET (UTC+2/+3). Because several of these zones observe daylight saving on different dates, check the current offset rather than assuming a fixed gap.
Is it cheaper to call Egypt over the internet?
Usually, yes. Carrier international rates are typically far above VoIP per-minute rates, and calling from an owned local number also means the person you are calling sees a number they can ring back.
Sources
- ITU-T Recommendation E.164 — The international public telecommunication numbering plan — International Telecommunication UnionThe international number format, the 15-digit maximum, and how country codes and national numbers compose.
- ITU-T International Numbering Resources — International Telecommunication UnionThe assignment of country calling codes and the published national numbering plans they belong to.
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