The +93 country code is for Afghanistan. Whether you're calling Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, or Kandahar, +93 is the prefix that connects you to Afghanistan's roughly 42 million people.
Quick answer: The country code +93 is for Afghanistan. All Afghan numbers have 9 digits after +93. Mobile numbers start with 7. A Kabul landline looks like
+93 20 XXX XXXXand a mobile like+93 70 XXX XXXX.
How to call Afghanistan: quick reference
The dialing format depends on where you're calling from. Afghanistan uses a domestic trunk prefix of 0, which you drop when dialing internationally.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +93 [9-digit number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-93-[9-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-93-[9-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-93-[9-digit number] |
| Pakistan | 00-93-[9-digit number] |
| Iran | 00-93-[9-digit number] |
| UAE | 00-93-[9-digit number] |
Afghanistan has one of the world's largest displaced populations. Millions of Afghans live in Pakistan and Iran, with large diaspora communities in Germany, the UAE, the US (especially Northern Virginia and California), the UK, Turkey, and Australia. Calls between these countries and +93 numbers are extremely common.
Understanding Afghan phone numbers
All Afghan phone numbers are 9 digits after the +93 country code. Within Afghanistan, people dial a 0 before the number. Drop that 0 when calling from abroad.
Mobile numbers
Afghanistan's mobile sector grew from almost nothing in 2001 to tens of millions of subscribers. Several carriers operate in the country:
- Afghan Wireless (AWCC): The first mobile operator in Afghanistan, launched in 2002. Uses 70 prefix.
- Roshan: The largest carrier by subscriber count for years. Uses 79 prefix.
- MTN Afghanistan: South African-backed carrier. Uses 71 prefix.
- Etisalat Afghanistan: UAE-backed. Uses 78 prefix.
- Salaam (Afghan Telecom): State-affiliated. Uses 74 prefix.
Mobile numbers also use prefixes 72, 73, 75, 76, and 77 across various carriers. The prefix tells you which network the number was originally registered with, though number portability is limited.
- Length: 9 digits after +93.
- Example: Domestic 070-123-4567 becomes
+93 70 123 4567internationally.
Landline numbers (fixed line)
Afghan landlines use 2-digit area codes followed by a 7-digit local number:
- Structure: 2-digit area code + 7-digit local number = 9 digits after +93.
- Kabul: Area code 20.
- Other cities: Each has its own 2-digit code (e.g., 30 for Kandahar, 40 for Herat).
- Trunk prefix: Drop the leading 0 when dialing from abroad.
Landlines are uncommon in Afghanistan. The fixed-line network was heavily damaged over decades of conflict and was never fully rebuilt. Mobile phones became the primary communication tool during the reconstruction period after 2001, and that remains the case today. The vast majority of +93 numbers you'll call will be mobile.
Afghanistan area codes reference table
Afghan area codes are 2 digits. Kabul (20) is the most commonly used. Outside the major cities, landline service is sparse or nonexistent.
| City | Area code | International format |
|---|---|---|
| Kabul | 20 | +93 20 XXX XXXX |
| Kandahar | 30 | +93 30 XXX XXXX |
| Ghazni | 31 | +93 31 XXX XXXX |
| Lashkar Gah | 32 | +93 32 XXX XXXX |
| Herat | 40 | +93 40 XXX XXXX |
| Mazar-i-Sharif | 50 | +93 50 XXX XXXX |
| Jalalabad | 60 | +93 60 XXX XXXX |
| Kunduz | 62 | +93 62 XXX XXXX |
| Bamiyan | 67 | +93 67 XXX XXXX |
How mobile phones changed Afghanistan
In 2001, Afghanistan had virtually no mobile phone infrastructure. By 2020, there were over 22 million mobile subscriptions in a country of about 38 million people. Mobile phones arrived during the post-2001 reconstruction and quickly became the main way Afghans communicated, did business, and sent money.
AWCC launched the first GSM service in 2002. Roshan followed shortly after and grew rapidly, especially in rural areas. The speed of mobile adoption was remarkable given that most of the country had never had reliable landline service.
Since August 2021, the operating environment for carriers has changed. Some international operators have reduced involvement, and telecom regulation has changed. But the mobile networks still function, and +93 numbers remain reachable from abroad.
Don't confuse +93 with +92
This is one of the most common mix-ups. Afghanistan is +93. Pakistan is +92. The countries share a long border, and many Afghan refugees live in Pakistan, so people frequently deal with both codes. One wrong digit and you're calling Islamabad instead of Kabul.
| Code | Country | Region |
|---|---|---|
| +93 | Afghanistan | Central/South Asia |
| +92 | Pakistan | South Asia |
If you're calling an Afghan refugee in Pakistan, their number will start with +92 (Pakistan). If they've kept an Afghan SIM, it will be +93. Many people in the border regions carry SIMs from both countries.
Internet and calling apps
Internet access in Afghanistan is concentrated in cities. Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Kandahar have 3G and some 4G coverage. Outside these cities, data service is limited or absent.
WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging app in Afghanistan. It works for text, voice, and video calls when the internet connection holds. Facebook Messenger is also common, especially among younger Afghans.
Internet access has been subject to periodic restrictions and shutdowns since 2021. Service can be cut in specific provinces or nationwide with little warning. Because of this unpredictability, a regular phone call to a +93 mobile number is often the most reliable way to reach someone in Afghanistan.
Power outages are another factor. Many areas have electricity for only a few hours a day. People charge their phones when they can, and calls may go unanswered simply because the phone is off.
Mobile money: M-Paisa and others
Roshan launched M-Paisa in 2008, making Afghanistan one of the early adopters of mobile money in the region. M-Paisa allows users to send money, pay bills, and receive salary payments through their phone number.
Mobile money has been especially important for aid distribution. International organizations have used M-Paisa and similar services to deliver cash assistance directly to phone numbers, bypassing the limited banking infrastructure. This ties phone numbers to financial accounts, which means people hold onto their numbers.
Afghanistan's time zone: UTC+4:30
Afghanistan Time (AFT) is UTC+4:30, another country with an unusual half-hour offset. It sits 30 minutes behind India (UTC+5:30) and 30 minutes ahead of the UAE (UTC+4:00).
| Your location | Time difference | Call Afghanistan 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Afghanistan is 9h 30m ahead | 11:30 PM - 8:30 AM EST (night before) |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Afghanistan is 8h 30m ahead | 12:30 AM - 9:30 AM EDT |
| US West Coast (PST) | Afghanistan is 12h 30m ahead | 8:30 PM - 5:30 AM PST (night before) |
| UK (GMT) | Afghanistan is 4h 30m ahead | 4:30 AM - 1:30 PM GMT |
| Germany (CET) | Afghanistan is 3h 30m ahead | 5:30 AM - 2:30 PM CET |
| Pakistan (PKT) | Afghanistan is 30 min behind | 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM PKT |
| Iran (IRST) | Afghanistan is 1 hour ahead | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM IRST |
| UAE (GST) | Afghanistan is 30 min ahead | 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM GST |
Tip: The half-hour offset means Afghanistan is always :30 off from countries on whole-hour time zones. If it's 3:00 PM in Dubai, it's 3:30 PM in Kabul. If it's noon in London, it's 4:30 PM in Kabul.
Mobile vs. landline: how to tell the difference
You can tell by the first digit after +93:
- Starts with 7: A mobile number (70-79, different carriers).
- Starts with 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6: A landline number (city area code).
In practice, almost every +93 number you'll encounter is mobile. Landlines are rare.
Dialing examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Afghan numbers:
Example 1: Calling a Kabul landline from the US
- Afghan number (domestic): 020-123-4567
- From a US mobile:
+93 20 123 4567 - From a US landline:
011 93 20 123 4567
Example 2: Calling an Afghan mobile from the US
- Afghan number (domestic): 070-234-5678
- From a US mobile:
+93 70 234 5678 - From a US landline:
011 93 70 234 5678
Example 3: Calling a Herat landline from the UK
- Afghan number (domestic): 040-345-6789
- From the UK:
00 93 40 345 6789
Example 4: Calling from Pakistan
- Afghan number (domestic): Any mobile (e.g., 079-567-8901)
- From Pakistan:
00 93 79 567 8901
Common mistakes to avoid
Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the +93 country code:
- Keeping the leading 0: Afghan numbers start with 0 domestically. Drop it when dialing +93. Dial +93 70 (not +93 070).
- Confusing +93 with +92: Pakistan is +92, Afghanistan is +93. This is the single most common error, especially in the border regions and among diaspora communities.
- Wrong digit count: Afghan numbers are exactly 9 digits after +93. If you have 8 or 10 digits, double-check.
- Phone is off: Power outages are common in Afghanistan. If a call doesn't connect, try again later -- the phone may simply be out of battery.
- Expecting voicemail: Voicemail is not widely used in Afghanistan. If someone doesn't answer, call back rather than leaving a message.
Cheapest ways to call +93 numbers
International calls to Afghanistan are expensive through regular carriers. Rates of $3-$5 per minute are common. Here's how to bring that down:
- VoIP services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Afghan mobile and landline numbers. Check our international calling rates.
- WhatsApp: Free when the internet is working on both ends. Unreliable in rural areas and during outages.
- Calling cards: Popular in Afghan diaspora communities, especially in Pakistan, Iran, Germany, and the US. Sold at ethnic grocery stores and online.
- International calling plans: Some US and European carriers offer Central/South Asia bundles. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Given the unreliable internet in much of Afghanistan, a VoIP service that routes through the PSTN network is the most dependable option for regular calls.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +93 country code?
The +93 country code is for Afghanistan. Any call from a number starting with +93 originates from Afghanistan.
How many digits is an Afghan phone number?
Afghan phone numbers have 9 digits after the +93 country code. Mobile numbers start with 7 (prefix 70-79). Landlines use a 2-digit area code plus a 7-digit local number.
What is the area code for Kabul?
The area code for Kabul is 20. Internationally, dial +93 20 followed by the 7-digit local number.
How do I call Afghanistan from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +93 followed by the 9-digit Afghan number (drop the leading 0). From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 93, then the 9-digit number.
What time zone is Afghanistan in?
Afghanistan is on Afghanistan Time (AFT, UTC+4:30) year-round with no daylight saving time. The half-hour offset means Afghanistan is always :30 off from countries on whole-hour time zones.
Does WhatsApp work in Afghanistan?
WhatsApp works in Afghanistan where mobile data is available, mainly in cities like Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif. Internet access is inconsistent in rural areas, and periodic restrictions on internet and social media can disrupt service. For reliable communication, a regular phone call to a +93 number is often the better option.
Ready to make clear, affordable international calls without the hassle? With CallSky.io, you can connect to over 180 countries, including Afghanistan, with crystal-clear quality and transparent per-minute rates. Start calling with CallSky.io today.