International dialing
How to call Kenya from United States
- Exit code 011
- Country code +254
- Drop the leading 0
Reviewed by Sujan ThapaliyaLast updated
Calling Kenya from United States
Dial 011 (the United States exit code), then 254 (Kenya’s country code), then the local number with its leading 0 removed. So +254 20 123 4567 is dialled as 011 254 20 123 4567. From a mobile you can dial +254 directly instead of 011.
The dialing sequence
- Exit code from United States
- 011
- Kenya country code
- +254
- Trunk prefix to remove
- 0
- Domestic numbers start with 0; drop it from abroad.
- Full sequence
- 011 + 254 + local number (drop the leading 0)
- Time in Kenya
- EAT (UTC+3, no DST)
- United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4).
Step by step
Dialing Kenya 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 254: the country code for Kenya
254 is Kenya'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 Kenya begin with 0. That digit is a national trunk prefix and is not part of the number. Remove it: +254 20 123 4567 is dialled as 20 123 4567 after the country code. - 4
Check the local time before you dial
Kenya is on EAT (UTC+3, no DST) 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 Kenya | Dialed from United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Landline | 020 123 4567 | 011 254 20 123 4567 |
| Mobile | +254 7XX XXX XXX | 011 254 712 345 678 |
| From a mobile (+) | n/a | +254 712 345 678 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I call Kenya from the United States?
Dial 011, then 254, then the local number with its leading 0 removed. For example, +254 20 123 4567 is dialled as 011 254 20 123 4567.
What is the country code for Kenya?
+254. From United States you reach it by dialling 011 first, or by dialling + directly from a mobile.
Do I include the 0 when calling Kenya?
No. The leading 0 is only used inside Kenya. Including it from abroad is the most common reason the call fails to connect.
How do I call a Kenya mobile from United States?
Exactly the same way as a landline: 011 + 254 + the mobile number without its leading 0. A Kenya mobile in international format looks like +254 712 345 678.
What is the time difference between United States and Kenya?
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4) and Kenya is on EAT (UTC+3, no DST). 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 Kenya 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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