How To Call Zimbabwe From US: Updated For 2025

Quick Answer

To call Zimbabwe from the United States:

• Landline: 011 + 263 + Area Code (1-2 digits, e.g., Harare 24) + Local Number (typically 6-7 digits)
• Mobile: 011 + 263 + Mobile Number (e.g., 71X XXX XXX - typically 9 digits including prefix)

Examples:

• For a Harare landline (New Area Code 24, local number may start with '2'): 011 + 263 + 24 + 2XX XXXX
• For a Zimbabwean mobile phone (e.g., Econet prefix 77): 011 + 263 + 77X XXX XXX

Zimbabwe is on Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2, and does not observe daylight saving. This is typically 6-7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (ET), depending on US DST.

Understanding Zimbabwean Phone Numbers

Zimbabwean phone numbers use the country code +263. When dialing internationally, any leading 0 from a domestic area code or mobile prefix must be dropped.

Landline Numbers

• Format from US: 011 + 263 + Area Code (1-2 digits) + Local Number (6-7 digits)
• The total length of the National Significant Number (NSN) after +263 for landlines varies but is often 8 or 9 digits (e.g., 24 2XX XXXX for Harare).

Mobile Numbers

• Format from US: 011 + 263 + Mobile Prefix (2 digits, e.g., 7X) + Subscriber Number (7 digits)
• Zimbabwean mobile numbers are generally 9 digits long after the country code (e.g., 71X XXX XXX).

Zimbabwean Area Codes (Fixed Lines)

When calling a landline in Zimbabwe from the US, dial 011 + 263, then the area code (National Destination Code - NDC), followed by the local subscriber number. Note that Zimbabwe has undergone number changes; new area codes are often followed by a modified local number (e.g., a prefixed digit like '2' before the old local number).

Zimbabwean Mobile Phone Prefixes

Zimbabwean mobile phone numbers are typically 9 digits long after the +263 country code. They start with a 2-digit mobile network prefix (National Destination Code for mobile services).

*Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows subscribers to keep their number when changing operators, so the prefix may not always indicate the current provider. The 'X' represents further digits of the subscriber number.

Time Difference

Zimbabwe operates on Central Africa Time (CAT), which is UTC+2. Zimbabwe does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

The time difference compared to the US East Coast (ET):

• When the US is on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4, typically March to November): Zimbabwe is 6 hours ahead of ET. (e.g., 12 PM EDT is 6 PM in Zimbabwe).
• When the US is on Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5, typically November to March): Zimbabwe is 7 hours ahead of ET. (e.g., 12 PM EST is 7 PM in Zimbabwe).

Zimbabwe's Phone System

Zimbabwe's telecommunications sector is regulated by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). The fixed-line network is primarily operated by TelOne. The mobile sector is competitive, with major operators including Econet Wireless, NetOne, and Telecel Zimbabwe. These providers offer GSM services and have been developing 3G, 4G/LTE, and more recently, 5G networks. Despite some infrastructure challenges, efforts continue to improve and expand connectivity, incorporating technologies like fiber optics and microwave radio relays.

Best Times to Call

Considering Zimbabwe is 6-7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (ET):

• For business calls from the US East Coast, early to mid-morning ET is often suitable. For instance, 8 AM - 11 AM ET corresponds to late afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM or 3 PM - 6 PM CAT) in Zimbabwe.
• Typical business hours in Zimbabwe are Monday to Friday, approximately 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CAT.