The +235 country code is for Chad, a large landlocked country in north-central Africa. To call Chad from abroad, dial +235 followed by the local 8-digit number.
Chad has two official languages -- French and Arabic -- and over 120 local languages. Which one you hear when your call connects depends on who you're calling and where they are. N'Djamena, the capital in the southwest, is where most international calls land. Outside the capital, mobile coverage thins out quickly, especially in the northern Saharan regions.
Quick answer: Dial +235 followed by the 8-digit local number. There is no trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 6 or 9. Landlines start with 22 (N'Djamena).
How to call Chad: quick reference
The international exit code varies by country. From any mobile phone, the + prefix handles this automatically.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +235 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-235-[local number] |
| UK | 00-235-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-235-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-235-[local number] |
| France | 00-235-[local number] |
Understanding Chad phone numbers
All Chad phone numbers are 8 digits after the +235 country code. There is no trunk prefix -- don't add a leading 0.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers follow the format XX XX XX XX. The first two digits identify the carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier |
|---|---|
| 60-65 | Airtel Chad |
| 66, 90-99 | Tigo Chad (Millicom) |
| 68, 69 | Salam Mobile |
Landline numbers
Landlines start with 22 and are almost all in N'Djamena. The format is 22 XX XX XX. Fixed-line service barely exists outside the capital -- if you're calling Chad, you're almost certainly calling a mobile.
Area codes
Chad doesn't use separate area codes. The first digits of the 8-digit number identify the type of line and the carrier.
Mobile carriers in Chad
Airtel Chad
The largest operator with the widest coverage. Airtel is the go-to network in N'Djamena and covers most major towns in the south. Prefixes: 60-65.
Tigo Chad (Millicom)
The second operator, competing closely with Airtel in urban areas. Tigo has invested in data services and mobile money. Prefixes: 66, 90-99.
Salam Mobile
The third and smallest operator, originally linked to state telecom Sotel Tchad. Coverage is more limited than the other two. Prefixes: 68, 69.
All carriers sell prepaid SIM cards. Top-up credit is available at small kiosks in towns and cities. In rural areas, people sometimes travel to the nearest town to recharge.
Don't confuse +235 with nearby codes
Chad sits in the middle of a block of consecutive country codes:
| Code | Country |
|---|---|
| +234 | Nigeria |
| +235 | Chad |
| +236 | Central African Republic |
| +237 | Cameroon |
The +235/+236 mix-up is the most common. Chad and the Central African Republic share a long border, and their codes are one digit apart. If you dial +236 instead of +235, you'll reach the CAR, not Chad.
Time zone considerations
Chad uses West Africa Time (WAT), UTC+1 year-round. No daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Chad is 6 hours ahead | 8 AM - 12 PM your time |
| US West Coast (PST) | Chad is 9 hours ahead | 7 AM - 10 AM your time |
| UK (GMT) | Chad is 1 hour ahead | 9 AM - 8 PM your time |
| France (CET) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 9 PM |
| Australia (AEST) | Chad is 9 hours behind | 5 PM - 9 PM your time |
Communication in Chad
Business hours
Government offices and businesses in N'Djamena typically operate Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Many offices close by early afternoon because of the heat. Friday hours may be shorter. Saturday mornings are common for markets.
Language on the phone
French and Arabic are both official languages. In N'Djamena and the south, French is more common in business. In the north and east, Chadian Arabic is the everyday language. When calling a business or government office, start in French -- they'll switch if needed.
Network quality
Coverage in N'Djamena and Moundou (the second-largest city) is reasonable. Outside these areas, expect gaps. The northern desert regions have almost no coverage. Power outages are frequent and can knock cell towers offline, so if your call fails, it may just be a temporary outage on the receiving end.
The Chad diaspora
Where Chadians abroad live
France has the largest Chadian diaspora, mostly in Paris and its suburbs. This is a direct result of colonial ties -- France administered Chad until 1960 and still has a military presence there. Cameroon and Sudan also host large Chadian communities, many of whom crossed borders to escape conflict or drought. Smaller communities exist in the US (Houston, Washington DC) and Canada.
Why they call home
Chad has experienced recurring civil conflicts and humanitarian crises. Diaspora members call to check on family and arrange money transfers. Mobile money through Airtel Money or Tigo Cash is the main way funds reach relatives who may not have bank accounts. Calls tend to spike around Ramadan and during periods of instability when people need to confirm their family is safe.
Dialing examples
Calling an Airtel mobile in N'Djamena
Local number: 63 12 34 56
From a US mobile: +235 63 12 34 56
From a US landline: 011 235 63 12 34 56
Calling a landline in N'Djamena
Local number: 22 51 23 45
From the UK: 00 235 22 51 23 45
From a mobile anywhere: +235 22 51 23 45
Calling a Tigo mobile
Local number: 90 87 65 43
From France: 00 235 90 87 65 43
From Australia: 0011 235 90 87 65 43
Common mistakes to avoid
Adding a trunk prefix
Chad has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number. Dial +235 and then all 8 digits directly.
Mixing up +235 and +236
+235 is Chad. +236 is the Central African Republic. These are neighbors with consecutive codes. One wrong digit and you're calling the wrong country entirely.
Calling during power outages
Power supply in Chad is unreliable. If a call doesn't connect, the recipient's local cell tower may be down. Wait and try again later rather than assuming the number is wrong.
Expecting English
Chad's official languages are French and Arabic. English is not widely spoken. If you need to communicate in English, arrange that in advance with your contact.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +235 code?
+235 is Chad. Any incoming call starting with +235 originates from Chad.
How many digits are in a Chad phone number?
8 digits after the +235 country code. A full international number looks like +235 XX XX XX XX (11 digits total).
Is there a trunk prefix for Chad?
No. Dial +235 followed by the 8-digit local number. No leading 0 needed.
What language will I hear when calling Chad?
Depends on who you're calling. French is common in business and in the south. Chadian Arabic is the everyday language in the north and east. Automated messages from carriers are usually in French.
Why won't my call to Chad connect?
Power outages and limited network coverage are the most likely causes. Make sure you're dialing all 8 digits after +235. If the number is correct, try again in a few minutes -- the local tower may have lost power temporarily.
For more Chad calling info, see our Chad calling rates page or browse the full country codes directory.