+251 is the country code for Ethiopia.
Every phone number in Ethiopia starts with +251 when you call it from another country. From the US, dial 011 251, then the number without its first 0.
- Time there
- Addis Ababa timeEast Africa Time, UTC+3, no daylight saving
- From the US or Canada
- 011 251 91 123 4567
- From the UK and most of Europe
- 00 251 91 123 4567
- From Australia
- 0011 251 91 123 4567
- From any mobile phone
- +251 91 123 4567
- Inside Ethiopia
- 091 123 4567
- Mobile numbers
- 9 digits after +251, starting 70, 71, 72, 73, 79, 80, 81 or 9
- Landlines
- 9 digits after +251, such as +251 11 5XX XXXX in Addis Ababa
Check a +251 number to see whether it is a mobile, a landline or VoIP.
Pick the country, enter the number without the +251, and the free check shows whether it is valid and whether it is a mobile, a landline or VoIP.
Mobile numbers in Ethiopia start with 70, 71, 72, 73, 79, 80, 81 or 9, and this table shows which networks first issued each start.
| At home | From abroad | First issued by |
|---|---|---|
| 070 | +251 70 | Safaricom |
| 071 | +251 71 | Safaricom |
| 072 | +251 72 | Safaricom |
| 073 | +251 73 | Safaricom |
| 079 | +251 79 | Safaricom |
| 080 | +251 80 | Ethio Telecom |
| 081 | +251 81 | Ethio Telecom |
| 09 | +251 9 | Ethio Telecom |
Safaricom started 070, 071, 072, 073 and 079 and Ethio Telecom started 080, 081 and 09. People keep their number when they switch networks, so the start shows where a number began. Our free number portability lookup shows the network it is on today.
Landline area codes in Ethiopia start with 0115 for Addis Ababa, and the table lists 16 of the places they cover.
| At home | From abroad | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 0115, 01110, 01114 and 42 more | +251 115, +251 1110, +251 1114 and 42 more | Addis Ababa |
| 0258 | +251 258 | Kelafo, East Region |
| 0461 | +251 461 | Shasemene |
| 0466 | +251 466 | Kebado, South Region |
| 0572 | +251 572 | Ghedo, West Region |
| 0585 | +251 585 | Pawe, North-West Region |
| 01154 | +251 1154 | ECA, Addis Ababa |
| 011111 | +251 11111 | Arada I, Addis Ababa |
| 011112 | +251 11112 | Arada II, Addis Ababa |
| 011114 | +251 11114 | French Legasion, Addis Ababa |
| 011122 | +251 11122 | Sidist Kilo I, Addis Ababa |
| 011123 | +251 11123 | Sidist Kilo II, Addis Ababa |
| 011124 | +251 11124 | Sidist Kilo III, Addis Ababa |
| 011125 | +251 11125 | Sidist Kilo Rss I, Addis Ababa |
| 011127 | +251 11127 | Addisu Gebeya, Addis Ababa |
| 011131 | +251 11131 | Kuyu, Addis Ababa |
Showing 60 of 464 area codes.
In Ethiopia, the phone number format for apps and SMS gateways is +251 followed by the number without its 0.
| Written | Example | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| At home | 091 123 4567 | Business cards, local ads |
| International | +251 91 123 4567 | Websites, email signatures |
| E.164 | +251911234567 | APIs, SMS gateways, CRMs |
A missed call from a +251 number you don't know can be a one-ring scam, so check it before calling back.
One-ring scams call once and hang up, hoping you call back a line that bills you international or premium rates.
- Don't call back an international number you don't know. A real caller leaves a message or sends a text.
- Check the number in the box above. A number that is not a working mobile or landline in Ethiopia is a warning sign.
- Hang up on anyone who wants gift cards, crypto or a wire transfer, or asks you to read out a code that was just texted to you.
- Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and see the FCC's guide to one-ring scams.
The codes next to +251 belong to other countries, so one wrong digit reaches a different place.
These are the questions people ask most about +251.
Which country uses the +251 country code?
Ethiopia. Every phone number there starts with +251 when it is dialed from abroad.
How do I call Ethiopia from the US?
Dial 011, then 251, then the number without its first 0. A mobile number written 091 123 4567 at home is dialed 011 251 91 123 4567 from the US, or +251 91 123 4567 from any mobile phone.
Is +251 the same as 00251?
Yes. 00 is the exit code used in Ethiopia and most of the world, and the + on a mobile phone stands in for whatever exit code your network uses. From the US and Canada the exit code is 011 instead.
How many digits is a phone number in Ethiopia?
A mobile number has 9 digits after +251, written 091 123 4567 at home. A landline has 9 digits, written 011 5XX XXXX at home.
What time is it in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia is on East Africa Time, UTC+3, all year. It does not use daylight saving time.
How do I check a +251 number that called me?
Enter it in the box above. The free check shows whether it is a valid number from Ethiopia and whether it is a mobile, a landline or a VoIP line, which helps you spot a one-ring scam before you call back.
Sources: Google's libphonenumber numbering data for lengths, mobile starts, area code places, first-issuing networks and time zones, as of September 24, 2026; the ITU list of country codes.