How to call Ethiopia from the US in 2026

Ethiopia's country code is +251. From the US, dial +251 then the Ethiopian number with the domestic leading 0 dropped. An Addis Ababa landline printed as 011 XXX XXXX is +251 11 XXX XXXX. A mobile printed as 09X XXX XXXX is +251 9X XXX XXXX. Do not keep the trunk 0: +251 011 is a misdial.

How to dial

Use one of these origin formats:

• ›+251 plus the nine-digit national significant number (usual on a mobile)
• ›011 251 plus the same digits from a US landline that still needs the North American international prefix

011 is the US international access prefix in FCC consumer guidance. + is a substitute on many mobiles. Do not assume every device accepts the same input.

More numbers: call Ethiopia. Area codes: Ethiopia calling codes.

The ITU E.164 list assigns 251 to Ethiopia. Ethiopia's national numbering plan filed with the ITU sets the national significant number at nine digits (two-digit area code plus seven-digit subscriber number), uses national prefix 0 for domestic dialing, and states that incoming international format is +251 plus those nine digits without the trunk 0. Addis Ababa fixed numbers use area code 11 after the change documented there. A prefix is a format hint for routing, not a guarantee of the current operator.

Cost

Calling Ethiopia from the US is an international call from home, not roaming in Ethiopia.

• ›If the US plan lists Ethiopia in an inclusive international allowance, the handset can be the cheaper option. Check the destination list, not a generic "international" label.
• ›If it does not, a carrier pay-per-minute add-on is a different product from a browser-to-phone rate. Confirm the carrier's own tariff before comparing.
• ›WorldDial rates in September 2026: $0.50/min to landlines and $0.52/min to mobiles, in USD. Calls are billed in whole minutes, rounded up. Check the current rate for your number on rates before adding credit.

If Ethiopia is already in your US calling allowance, use your handset. If it is not, you can place the call in the browser. How calling works: how it works.

Operator contacts from abroad

Ethio telecom contacts for overseas callers are on Ethio telecom from abroad. Prefer the international-format number published for callers outside Ethiopia rather than a domestic short code.

Time difference

Ethiopia uses East Africa Time (UTC+3) year-round. Versus US Eastern that is usually 7 hours ahead in summer (EDT, UTC-4) and 8 hours ahead in winter (EST, UTC-5).

Use the office hours on the page you are calling. A general country guide cannot predict queue length.

Format mistakes to avoid

• ›Keeping 011 after +251 (Addis Ababa must be +251 11)
• ›Dialing only the local subscriber digits without the two-digit area or mobile code
• ›Confusing roaming in Ethiopia with an international call placed from the US