How to Call Malaysia from USA
How to Call a Landline in Malaysia
Calling a Malaysian landline from the United States (USA) uses this standard international format:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial Malaysia's country code: 60
- Dial the Malaysian area code (1 digit for Peninsular Malaysia, 2 digits for Sabah/Sarawak, dropping the leading '0' if present): [Area Code] (e.g., 3 for Kuala Lumpur)
- Dial the local phone number (7-8 digits): [Local Number]
For example, if you're calling a landline number in Kuala Lumpur (Area Code 03), with the local number 1234 5678, you would dial: 011 60 3 1234 5678.
Malaysian landline numbers consist of the country code (60), a 1 or 2-digit area code (after dropping the '0'), and a 7 or 8-digit local number.
Dialing a Malaysia landline:
How to Call a Mobile Phone in Malaysia
Calling a Malaysian mobile phone from the United States (USA) uses this format:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial Malaysia's country code: 60
- Dial the 2-digit mobile provider prefix (starts with '1', drop the leading '0'): [Mobile Prefix] (e.g., 12)
- Dial the 7 or 8-digit subscriber number: [Subscriber Number]
For example, if the Malaysian mobile number is 012 345 6789, you would dial: 011 60 12 345 6789 from the USA.
Malaysian mobile numbers have 9 or 10 digits following the country code (60), starting with a '1' (after dropping the '0').
Dialing a Malaysia mobile:
Malaysia Area Codes (Major Regions & Cities)
Below is a list of area codes for major Malaysian states, territories, and regions. When calling a landline from the USA, use the format: 011 + 60 + Area Code + Local Number. Remember to drop the leading '0' from the local area code.
| Region / State / City | Area Code (Dial after 60) |
|---|---|
| **Peninsular Malaysia** | |
| Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya | 3 |
| Perlis, Kedah, Penang | 4 |
| Perak (incl. Ipoh, Cameron Highlands) | 5 |
| Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Muar/Tangkak (Johor) | 6 |
| Johor (excl. Muar/Tangkak), incl. Johor Bahru | 7 |
| Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan | 9 |
| **East Malaysia (Sabah)** | |
| Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Ranau | 88 |
| Labuan, Beaufort, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau | 89 |
| **East Malaysia (Sarawak)** | |
| Kuching, Samarahan, Serian | 82 |
| Sri Aman, Betong | 83 |
| Sibu, Sarikei, Mukah, Kapit | 84 |
| Miri, Limbang, Lawas | 85 |
| Bintulu, Belaga | 86 |
Mobile Phone Networks in Malaysia
Malaysian mobile numbers start with 01 locally. When calling from the USA, drop the leading '0'. The format is 011 + 60 + Mobile Prefix (2 digits starting with 1) + Subscriber Number (7-8 digits).
The main mobile operators are Maxis, Celcom, Digi, and U Mobile. Number portability is active, so prefixes don't definitively indicate the current operator, although they were initially assigned as follows. Prefixes starting with '11' or '14' can be used by multiple operators.
| Network Provider (Original Assignment) | Common Prefixes (Dialed after 60) |
|---|---|
| Maxis (Hotlink) | 12, 17 |
| Celcom | 13, 19 |
| Digi | 10, 16, 14 (some ranges) |
| U Mobile | 18, 14 (some ranges) |
| MVNOs/Other | 11 (various), 14 (various) |
Time Difference in Malaysia
Malaysia operates on Malaysia Time (MYT), which is UTC+8 year-round. Malaysia does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
This means the time difference with the United States (USA) varies depending on US Daylight Saving Time (DST - approx. mid-March to early November):
US Eastern Time (ET): Malaysia is 13 hours ahead of EST (US Standard Time) and 12 hours ahead of EDT (US DST).
(Example: 9 AM EST is 10 PM MYT; 9 AM EDT is 9 PM MYT)
US Central Time (CT): Malaysia is 14 hours ahead of CST and 13 hours ahead of CDT.
US Mountain Time (MT): Malaysia is 15 hours ahead of MST and 14 hours ahead of MDT.
US Pacific Time (PT): Malaysia is 16 hours ahead of PST and 15 hours ahead of PDT.
(Example: 9 AM PST is 1 AM MYT the next day; 9 AM PDT is 12 AM MYT the next day)
Check the current time difference before calling, especially during the transition months for US DST (March, November), and be mindful of calling very late at night/early morning US time to reach Malaysia during their day.
Malaysia's Phone System
Malaysia boasts a well-developed and modern telecommunications infrastructure. Mobile phone usage is extremely widespread, with major providers like Maxis, Celcom, Digi, and U Mobile offering extensive 4G LTE coverage across the nation, including rural areas, and rapidly expanding 5G services in urban centers. Fixed-line services, primarily managed by Telekom Malaysia (TM), are reliable and widely available, especially for businesses and in established residential areas. High-speed broadband internet penetration is high, supporting robust use of VoIP services and popular messaging applications like WhatsApp for communication.
Best Times to Call Malaysia
Given the significant time difference (12-16 hours ahead of the US), careful planning is needed.
Standard Malaysian business hours are typically Monday to Friday, from 8:30/9:00 AM to 5:30/6:00 PM MYT (UTC+8).
The most practical time for calls often falls during the US evening hours, which correspond to Malaysian morning hours.
Consider calling between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM US Eastern Time. This translates to roughly 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM in Malaysia (depending on US DST), catching the start of their business day.
If calling from the US West Coast, late afternoon/early evening (e.g., 5 PM to 8 PM PST/PDT) can also work, corresponding to early morning in Malaysia (8 AM to 11 AM MYT).
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Dial local access number
Call the local access number provided with your card (specific to the United States (USA))
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Follow the format based on your destination (after entering PIN):
For Landlines: 60 + Area Code (1-2 digits) + Local Number (7-8 digits)
For Mobiles: 60 + Mobile Number (9-10 digits starting with 1)
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