+266 is the country code for Lesotho.
Every phone number in Lesotho starts with +266 when you call it from another country. From the US, dial 011 266, then the full number.
- Time there
- Maseru timeSouth Africa Standard Time, UTC+2, no daylight saving
- From the US or Canada
- 011 266 5012 3456
- From the UK and most of Europe
- 00 266 5012 3456
- From Australia
- 0011 266 5012 3456
- From any mobile phone
- +266 5012 3456
- Inside Lesotho
- 5012 3456
- Mobile numbers
- 8 digits after +266, starting 5 or 6
- Landlines
- 8 digits after +266, such as +266 2XXX XXXX in Maseru
- Toll-free numbers
- Start with 8002
Check a +266 number to see whether it is a mobile, a landline or VoIP.
Pick the country, enter the number without the +266, and the free check shows whether it is valid and whether it is a mobile, a landline or VoIP.
Mobile numbers in Lesotho start with 5 or 6, and this table shows which networks first issued each start.
| At home | From abroad | First issued by |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | +266 5 | Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Ltd |
| 6 | +266 6 | Econet Ezi-Cel Lesotho |
Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Ltd started 5 and Econet Ezi-Cel Lesotho started 6. 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.
Landlines in Lesotho start with 2.
| At home | From abroad | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | +266 2 | Maseru |
In Lesotho, the phone number format for apps and SMS gateways is +266 followed by the full number.
| Written | Example | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| At home | 5012 3456 | Business cards, local ads |
| International | +266 5012 3456 | Websites, email signatures |
| E.164 | +26650123456 | APIs, SMS gateways, CRMs |
A missed call from a +266 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 Lesotho 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 +266 belong to other countries, so one wrong digit reaches a different place.
These are the questions people ask most about +266.
Which country uses the +266 country code?
Lesotho. Every phone number there starts with +266 when it is dialed from abroad.
How do I call Lesotho from the US?
Dial 011, then 266, then the full number. A mobile number written 5012 3456 at home is dialed 011 266 5012 3456 from the US, or +266 5012 3456 from any mobile phone.
Is +266 the same as 00266?
Yes. 00 is the exit code used in Lesotho 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 Lesotho?
A mobile number has 8 digits after +266, written 5012 3456 at home. A landline has 8 digits, written 2XXX XXXX at home.
What are the area codes in Lesotho?
2 for Maseru. From abroad, drop the leading digit and put +266 in front.
What time is it in Lesotho?
Lesotho is on South Africa Standard Time, UTC+2, all year. It does not use daylight saving time.
How do I check a +266 number that called me?
Enter it in the box above. The free check shows whether it is a valid number from Lesotho 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.