How To Call Afghanistan From USA: Updated For 2025
Quick Answer
To call Afghanistan from the United States:
- Landline:
011 + 93 + Area Code (2 digits, drop leading 0) + Local Number (7 digits) - Mobile:
011 + 93 + Mobile Code (2 digits, e.g., 70, 77, 78, 79, drop leading 0) + Subscriber Number (7 digits)
Examples:
- For a Kabul landline (Area Code 20):
011 + 93 + 20 + XXX XXXX - For an Afghan mobile phone (e.g., Roshan mobile 079):
011 + 93 + 79 + XXX XXXX
Afghanistan is on Afghanistan Time (AFT), UTC+4:30. It is 8.5 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST) or 9.5 hours ahead of US Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
How to Dial Afghanistan from the US
How to Call a Landline in Afghanistan
To call an Afghan landline from the United States, follow these steps:
- Step 1 – Dial the US exit code: Start by dialing
011. - Step 2 – Dial Afghanistan's country code: Next, key in
93. - Step 3 – Dial the Afghan Area Code: Afghan area codes are 2 digits long (e.g.,
20for Kabul). When calling from abroad, drop the leading0if it's part of the domestic area code. - Step 4 – Dial the local phone number: This is typically a 7-digit number.
For example, to call a Kabul landline number that is locally (020) XXX XXXX, you would dial: 011 93 20 XXX XXXX
How to Call a Mobile Phone in Afghanistan
Calling an Afghan mobile phone from the US involves these steps:
- Step 1 – Dial the US exit code: Start by dialing
011. - Step 2 – Dial Afghanistan's country code: Next, key in
93. - Step 3 – Dial the Afghan mobile code: Afghan mobile codes are 2 digits long (e.g.,
70, 77, 78, 79). When calling from abroad, drop the leading0from the domestic mobile code (e.g., domestic079becomes79). - Step 4 – Dial the 7-digit subscriber number.
For example, if the Afghan mobile number is 079 XXX XXXX, you would dial: 011 93 79 XXX XXXX from the US.
Understanding Afghan Phone Numbers
Afghan phone numbers use the country code +93. When dialing internationally, the leading 0 from a domestic area code (for landlines) or mobile code is dropped.
Landline Numbers
- Format from US:
011 + 93 + Area Code (2 digits) + Subscriber Number (7 digits) - The total National Significant Number (NSN) length after
+93for landlines is 9 digits (e.g.,+93 20 XXX XXXXfor Kabul).
Mobile Numbers
- Format from US:
011 + 93 + Mobile Code (2 digits) + Subscriber Number (7 digits) - After
+93, Afghan mobile numbers are 9 digits long, starting with a 2-digit mobile code (e.g.,70, 77, 78, 79) followed by a 7-digit subscriber number.
Afghan Area Codes (Fixed Lines)
When calling a landline in Afghanistan from the US, dial 011 + 93, then the 2-digit area code (dropping any leading '0' used for domestic calls), followed by the 7-digit local subscriber number. Here is a list of common area codes for major cities:
| City/Province | Area Code (Dial after 93) |
|---|---|
| Major Cities/Provinces | |
| Kabul | 20 |
| Kandahar | 30 |
| Herat | 40 |
| Mazar-i-Sharif (Balkh) | 50 |
| Jalalabad (Nangarhar) | 60 |
| Gardez (Paktia) | 70 (Note: 70 is also a mobile prefix, context is key) |
| Kunduz | 51 |
| Ghazni | 31 |
| Daykundi | 26 |
| Badghis | 41 |
| Baghlan | 58 |
| Bamyan | 23 |
| Faryab | 57 |
| Helmand | 34 |
| Khost | 27 |
This list includes some of the most common area codes. Always confirm the specific area code for the location you are calling.
Afghan Mobile Phone Prefixes
Afghan mobile phone numbers are 9 digits long after the +93 country code. They start with a 2-digit mobile code (the leading domestic 0 is dropped), followed by a 7-digit subscriber number. There are several mobile operators in Afghanistan.
| Mobile Prefix (after +93) | Operator (Examples) | Example Full Number (from US) |
|---|---|---|
70 XXX XXXX | Afghan Wireless (AWCC) | e.g., 011 93 70 XXX XXXX |
71 XXX XXXX | Afghan Wireless (AWCC) | e.g., 011 93 71 XXX XXXX |
72 XXX XXXX | Roshan (TDC) | e.g., 011 93 72 XXX XXXX |
73 XXX XXXX | Etisalat Afghanistan | e.g., 011 93 73 XXX XXXX |
74 XXX XXXX | Salaam (Afghan Telecom - GSM) | e.g., 011 93 74 XXX XXXX |
75 XXX XXXX | Afghan Telecom (CDMA - less common for new subscriptions) | e.g., 011 93 75 XXX XXXX |
76 XXX XXXX | MTN Afghanistan | e.g., 011 93 76 XXX XXXX |
77 XXX XXXX | MTN Afghanistan | e.g., 011 93 77 XXX XXXX |
78 XXX XXXX | Etisalat Afghanistan | e.g., 011 93 78 XXX XXXX |
79 XXX XXXX | Roshan (TDC) | e.g., 011 93 79 XXX XXXX |
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) may not be fully implemented or widely used, so the prefix can often still indicate the original operator.
Time Difference
Afghanistan operates on Afghanistan Time (AFT), which is UTC+4:30.
Afghanistan does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
The time difference compared to the US East Coast (ET):
- When the US is on Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5): Afghanistan is 9.5 hours ahead of ET. (e.g., 12 PM EST is 9:30 PM in Afghanistan).
- When the US is on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4): Afghanistan is 8.5 hours ahead of ET. (e.g., 12 PM EDT is 8:30 PM in Afghanistan).
Always verify the current US time zone (EST or EDT) to accurately calculate the difference.
Afghanistan's Phone System
Afghanistan's telecommunications sector has seen significant development since 2001, moving from a near non-existent infrastructure to widespread mobile coverage. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) oversees the sector, with the Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) handling regulation. Several mobile network operators (MNOs) are active, including Afghan Wireless (AWCC), Roshan, Etisalat Afghanistan, MTN Afghanistan, and the state-owned Afghan Telecom (operating Salaam). These MNOs are the primary providers of voice and internet services, with mobile networks forming the backbone of connectivity. Fixed-line infrastructure is less developed. While 3G and 4G services are available, particularly in urban areas, overall internet speeds can be slow, and access in rural regions remains a challenge. The political and security situation can also impact telecommunications services.
Best Times to Call
Considering Afghanistan is 8.5 to 9.5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (ET):
- To reach someone during typical Afghan business hours (generally Saturday to Wednesday, around 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM AFT, with Thursday often a half-day and Friday being the weekly holiday):
- When US is on EDT (8.5 hours behind AFT): Call from the US ET zone between approximately 11:30 PM (previous day) and 7:30 AM ET. This would reach Afghanistan from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM AFT. Early morning US calls are best.
- When US is on EST (9.5 hours behind AFT): Call from the US ET zone between approximately 10:30 PM (previous day) and 6:30 AM ET. This would reach Afghanistan from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM AFT.
It's crucial to be mindful of the significant time difference and the local work week (Friday is the main day of rest). Early morning calls from the US are generally required to catch Afghan business hours. Always try to confirm the recipient's local time and availability.
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