Format an Egyptian phone number
Egypt's country code is +20. To call from abroad or save a number for WhatsApp, remove the leading 0 and add +20, so 010 1234 5678 becomes +20 10 1234 5678. Mobile numbers start with 010, 011, 012 or 015.
Paste any Egyptian number below, whether it is written locally, internationally, with spaces or with dashes. You get call and WhatsApp links straight away.
How Egyptian numbers are written
Egyptian numbers follow a fixed pattern. Once you know the prefixes, they are easy to read:
| Type | Prefix | Local example | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile (Vodafone) | 010 | 0100 123 4567 | +20 100 123 4567 |
| Mobile (Etisalat/e&) | 011 | 0115 000 0000 | +20 115 000 0000 |
| Mobile (Orange) | 012 | 0122 000 0000 | +20 122 000 0000 |
| Mobile (WE) | 015 | 0155 000 0000 | +20 155 000 0000 |
| Landline, Cairo | 02 | 02 2575 0000 | +20 2 2575 0000 |
| Landline, Alexandria | 03 | 03 480 0000 | +20 3 480 0000 |
010 1234 5678 turns into +20 10 1234 5678. WhatsApp in Egypt
In Egypt, business runs on WhatsApp. Hotels, drivers, guides and restaurants reply there faster than by email or text. Save numbers in international format (+20...), otherwise WhatsApp will not match them. Messages work normally, but voice and video calls can be unreliable.
Common problems when dialling Egypt
- The number starts with +2 instead of +20. A rare typo, usually from copying an old format.
- 8 or 10 digits? Older landlines, especially outside Cairo, can have 7 or 8 digits after the area code. If a number looks too short, try adding a digit at the start of the subscriber part.
- Verification codes need an Egyptian SIM. Uber, Careem and banking apps often send one-time passwords only to a local number, and an eSIM may not receive them. Our SIM cards and internet guide covers the options.
Frequently asked questions
What is the country code for Egypt?
+20. Remove the leading 0 from the Egyptian number before adding it, so 010 1234 5678 becomes +20 10 1234 5678.
How can I tell if an Egyptian number is a mobile?
Written locally, it starts with 010 (Vodafone), 011 (Etisalat/e&), 012 (Orange) or 015 (WE). Without the leading zero it has 10 digits.
Why can't WhatsApp find an Egyptian number?
Usually the number is saved without the country code. Save it in international format, starting +20, with no leading zero.
Will my eSIM receive verification codes from Egyptian apps?
Not always. Uber, Careem and banking apps often want a local Egyptian number for one-time passwords, and a travel eSIM may not receive them.