How to call India from abroad: mobiles, landlines and STD codes
Most failed calls to India come down to one digit: the 0. Indians write numbers the way they dial them at home, with a leading 0, and that 0 has to go when you call from another country. Here is the full format for mobiles and landlines.
Calling an Indian mobile
- India’s country code is +91.
- Indian mobile numbers have 10 digits and start with 6, 7, 8 or 9: +91 98765 43210.
- If the number is written as 098765 43210 or +91 0 98765 43210, drop the 0.
Calling an Indian landline (STD codes)
A landline number is the city’s STD code plus the local number, and together they always add up to 10 digits. Inside India the STD code is dialed with a 0 (011 for Delhi); from abroad you drop that 0: +91 11 2345 6789.
- Delhi 11 · Mumbai 22 · Kolkata 33 · Chennai 44 · Bengaluru 80 · Hyderabad 40 · Pune 20 · Ahmedabad 79.
- Smaller cities have longer STD codes (3 or 4 digits) and shorter local numbers, so the total is still 10.
Exit codes, toll-free numbers and time
- From a US or Canadian landline: 011 91 + 10 digits. From the UK and most of the world: 00 91 + 10 digits. From a mobile or Hyallo: +91 + 10 digits.
- Indian 1800 toll-free numbers generally only work from inside India. Ask for, or look up, the company’s regular landline number.
- India is on IST (UTC+5:30) all year, with no daylight saving time - so the gap with you only moves when your own clocks change.
The cheapest way to call India
Hyallo calls Indian mobiles and landlines from your browser starting at $0.08/min - useful for relatives who aren’t on WhatsApp, landlines, banks and offices. You see the exact rate for the number before you dial, and your first call is free.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I dial 0 when calling India from abroad?
No. The 0 is only for calls inside India. From abroad dial +91 followed by the 10-digit number without the 0.
How many digits is an Indian phone number?
Ten, for both mobiles and landlines (STD code included). With +91 in front, you dial 12 digits after the +.
What is the cheapest way to call India?
A pay-as-you-go internet calling service. Hyallo calls India from $0.08/min, billed per started minute, with no subscription.