The +231 country code belongs to Liberia, an English-speaking West African country on the Atlantic coast. If you've received a call from a number starting with +231, it came from Liberia. The country was founded in 1847 by freed African Americans, making it one of Africa's oldest republics. Its capital, Monrovia, is named after US President James Monroe.
Liberia has about 5.3 million people. English is the official language, though Liberian English has its own distinct accent and vocabulary, and over 20 indigenous languages are spoken across the country's 15 counties. The economy depends on rubber, iron ore, and palm oil exports. Two civil wars (1989-2003) devastated the country's infrastructure, and the telecom network has been rebuilt largely around mobile rather than landlines.
Quick answer: The +231 country code is Liberia. Phone numbers are 7 digits after the country code. There is no trunk prefix for international calls. Mobile numbers start with 77 (Orange), 88 (Lonestar MTN), or 55 (Libtelco). Dial +231 followed by all 7 digits.
How to call Liberia: quick reference
When calling Liberia from abroad, dial +231 followed by the 7-digit local number. There is no trunk prefix to add or remove for international calls.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +231 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-231-[local number] |
| UK | 00-231-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-231-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-231-[local number] |
| France | 00-231-[local number] |
Understanding Liberia phone numbers
Liberian phone numbers are 7 digits after the +231 country code. The country's fixed-line network was largely destroyed during the civil wars, so almost all phone numbers you'll encounter are mobile.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers are 7 digits and the first two digits identify the carrier. The format is +231 XX XXXXX. For example, +231 88 612 3456 would be a Lonestar MTN number, and +231 77 012 3456 would be Orange.
Landline numbers
Landline numbers exist but are rare. They start with 2 for the Monrovia area. Most businesses, even in the capital, use mobile numbers instead. If you're given a Liberian contact number, it's almost certainly a mobile.
Number prefixes
| Prefix | Type / operator |
|---|---|
| 88 | Lonestar Cell MTN mobile |
| 77 | Orange Liberia mobile |
| 55 | Libtelco mobile |
| 2 | Landline (Monrovia) |
Mobile carriers in Liberia
Liberia has three mobile operators. The fixed-line network is minimal, with Libtelco operating what little remains.
Lonestar Cell MTN
Lonestar Cell MTN is the largest mobile operator in Liberia. It has the widest network coverage, including 4G in Monrovia and 3G in county capitals. Numbers start with 88. Lonestar also runs mobile money services, which many Liberians use since bank access is limited outside Monrovia.
Orange Liberia
Orange Liberia (formerly Cellcom) is the second-largest operator. Numbers start with 77. Coverage overlaps with Lonestar in urban areas but is patchier in remote counties. Orange also offers mobile money.
Libtelco
Libtelco is the state-owned telecommunications provider. It operates some mobile services (numbers starting with 55) and manages the remaining landline infrastructure. Coverage is the most limited of the three, mostly concentrated in Monrovia and a few larger towns.
Don't confuse +231 with nearby codes
Liberia's +231 sits between two similar codes. The most common mix-up is with +232 (Sierra Leone), the neighbouring country to the west.
| Code | Country | How to tell apart |
|---|---|---|
| +231 | Liberia | English-speaking, 7-digit numbers |
| +232 | Sierra Leone | English-speaking, 8-digit numbers |
| +230 | Mauritius | Indian Ocean island, 8-digit numbers |
| +233 | Ghana | English-speaking, 9-digit numbers |
+231 and +232 are just one digit apart, and both Liberia and Sierra Leone are English-speaking West African countries. The quickest way to tell them apart: Liberian numbers are 7 digits, Sierra Leonean numbers are 8 digits. If you're off by one digit in the country code, the number length mismatch should tip you off.
Time zone considerations
Liberia is on GMT (UTC+0) year-round. The country does not observe daylight saving time.
| Your time zone | Liberia offset | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East (EST/EDT) | +5 hours | 8am-12pm your time (1pm-5pm Monrovia) |
| US West (PST/PDT) | +8 hours | 7am-10am your time (3pm-6pm Monrovia) |
| UK (GMT/BST) | 0 / -1 hour | Same time zone in winter |
| Central Europe (CET) | -1 / -2 hours | 10am-6pm your time |
| Nigeria (WAT) | -1 hour | 9am-6pm your time |
The US time zones matter most for Liberia because the largest diaspora is in the United States. Keep the 5-hour gap (Eastern) in mind when scheduling calls.
Communication in Liberia
Business hours and calling patterns
Business hours in Liberia are roughly 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Government offices keep similar hours but may close early on Fridays. Saturday mornings are working time for many shops and markets. Sunday is widely observed as a day of rest, with church attendance very common across the country.
Language considerations
English is the official language and is used in business, government, and media. However, Liberian English sounds quite different from American or British English, with its own vocabulary and pronunciation patterns. There are also over 20 indigenous languages spoken across the country, including Bassa, Kpelle, and Grebo. For phone calls with businesses or the diaspora, standard English works fine.
Network quality
Mobile coverage in Monrovia is generally reliable, with 4G available from Lonestar MTN. Outside the capital, coverage drops quickly. Many rural areas, especially in the interior counties like Grand Gedeh, River Gee, and Sinoe, have weak or no signal. Power supply is unreliable across much of the country, and people charge phones when they can, so a contact may be unreachable simply because their phone battery died. Try calling at different times if you can't get through.
The Liberia diaspora
Where they went
The Liberian diaspora is concentrated in the United States, which makes sense given the country's historical founding by freed American slaves. Minnesota (especially the Twin Cities), Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia have the largest Liberian communities. The two civil wars (1989-1996 and 1999-2003) drove hundreds of thousands of refugees abroad. Significant populations also live in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire, mostly from wartime displacement.
Why they call
Family connections drive most calls. Liberians in the US regularly check in with relatives in Monrovia and up-country. Remittances are a major part of the Liberian economy, and phone calls often go hand-in-hand with money transfers. Call volumes spike around holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving among the US-based diaspora), Independence Day on July 26, and during the rainy season (June-October) when flooding and road conditions can cause worry about family members in rural areas.
Dialing examples
Calling a Lonestar MTN mobile in Monrovia
To call a Lonestar MTN number 886 1234:
From US/Canada mobile: +231 886 1234
From US/Canada landline: 011-231-886-1234
From UK: 00-231-886-1234
Calling an Orange mobile
To call an Orange number 770 5678:
From US/Canada mobile: +231 770 5678
From UK: 00-231-770-5678
From Ghana: 00-231-770-5678
Calling a Monrovia landline
To call a Monrovia landline 222 1234:
From US/Canada mobile: +231 222 1234
From US/Canada landline: 011-231-222-1234
From UK: 00-231-222-1234
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing +231 with +232
+231 is Liberia and +232 is Sierra Leone. Both are English-speaking West African neighbours, so a wrong digit in the country code won't immediately sound wrong if someone answers. Check the number length: Liberian numbers are 7 digits, Sierra Leonean are 8.
Adding a trunk prefix
There is no trunk prefix for international calls to Liberia. Dial +231 followed by the 7-digit number exactly as given. Do not add a leading 0.
Assuming the phone is always on
Power supply in Liberia is unreliable, especially outside Monrovia. Many people charge their phones at shops or charging stations when available. If someone doesn't answer, it may be because their phone is off, not because they're ignoring you. Try again later in the day or the next morning.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +231 code?
+231 is the country code for Liberia, an English-speaking country in West Africa. Do not confuse it with +232 (Sierra Leone) or +230 (Mauritius).
How many digits are Liberian phone numbers?
Liberian phone numbers are 7 digits after the +231 country code. There is no trunk prefix for international calls.
What language do they speak in Liberia?
English is the official language. Liberian English has a distinct accent and some different vocabulary from American English. Over 20 indigenous languages are also spoken, including Bassa, Kpelle, and Grebo.
Is +231 the same as +232?
No. +231 is Liberia and +232 is Sierra Leone. They are neighbouring countries but have separate phone systems. Liberian numbers are 7 digits; Sierra Leonean numbers are 8 digits.
Why can't I reach my contact in Liberia?
Power supply is unreliable in much of Liberia, so phones may be turned off when the battery dies. Mobile coverage is also limited outside Monrovia and major towns. Try calling at different times, particularly in the morning when phones are more likely to be charged.
For more West African dialing guides, see our articles on Sierra Leone (+232), Ghana (+233), and Guinea (+224). Browse all guides on our country codes hub.