The 961 country code belongs to Lebanon. Whether you're calling business contacts in Beirut, family in Tripoli, or friends in the coastal city of Sidon on the Mediterranean, the +961 prefix connects you to this country of about 5 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +961 is for Lebanon. Lebanese numbers use a leading 0 (trunk prefix) that you must drop when calling internationally. For example, if the local number is 01 234 567, dial +961 1 234 567.

How to Call Lebanon: Quick Reference

When calling Lebanon, remember to drop the leading 0 from the local number. This is the most common mistake people make.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +961 [number without leading 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-961-[number without leading 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-961-[number without leading 0]
Germany 00-961-[number without leading 0]
France 00-961-[number without leading 0]
Australia 0011-961-[number without leading 0]

Lebanon has a large diaspora worldwide, with communities in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and West Africa.

Understanding Lebanese Phone Numbers

Lebanese phone numbers have different formats for mobile and landline calls. The trunk prefix 0 must be dropped when calling from abroad.

The Trunk Prefix (0)

Like the UK and France, Lebanon uses a trunk prefix of 0 for domestic calls. When calling internationally:

  • Drop the leading 0 from any Lebanese number
  • Local format: 01 234 567 (Beirut)
  • International format: +961 1 234 567

This is the most frequent mistake when calling Lebanon. If your call doesn't connect, check whether you accidentally included the 0.

Mobile Numbers

Lebanese mobile numbers start with 3 or 7:

  • Local format: 03 XXX XXX or 07X XXX XXX (8 digits including trunk prefix)
  • International format: +961 3 XXX XXX or +961 7X XXX XXX
  • Common prefixes: 03, 70, 71, 76, 78, 79, 81
  • Example: Local 03 123 456 becomes +961 3 123 456

Major mobile carriers in Lebanon include Alfa and Touch (MTC).

Landline Numbers

Lebanese landlines use area codes that vary by region:

  • Local format: 0[area code] XXX XXX
  • Beirut example: 01 234 567 becomes +961 1 234 567
  • Tripoli example: 06 123 456 becomes +961 6 123 456

Lebanon Area Codes

Here are the area codes for Lebanese regions:

Region Area Code International Format
Beirut 1 +961 1 XXX XXX
Mount Lebanon (Jounieh, Byblos) 4, 9 +961 4 XXX XXX
Mount Lebanon (Aley, Chouf) 5 +961 5 XXX XXX
North Lebanon (Tripoli) 6 +961 6 XXX XXX
South Lebanon (Sidon, Tyre) 7 +961 7 XXX XXX
Bekaa Valley (Zahle) 8 +961 8 XXX XXX

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell mobile from landline by the first digits after dropping the trunk prefix:

  • Starts with 3, 70, 71, 76, 78, 79, or 81: A mobile number
  • Starts with 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 (not 70/71/76/78/79), 8 (not 81), or 9: A landline number

Mobile numbers in Lebanon are typically more expensive to call than landlines.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples showing how to dial Lebanese numbers from various countries:

Example 1: Calling a Beirut Landline from the US

  • Lebanese Local Number: 01 234 567
  • From a US Mobile: +961 1 234 567
  • From a US Landline: 011 961 1 234 567

Example 2: Calling a Lebanese Mobile from the US

  • Lebanese Local Number: 03 456 789
  • From a US Mobile: +961 3 456 789
  • From a US Landline: 011 961 3 456 789

Example 3: Calling Lebanon from the UK

  • Lebanese Local Number: 06 789 012 (Tripoli)
  • From the UK: 00 961 6 789 012

Example 4: Calling Lebanon from France

  • Lebanese Local Number: 71 234 567 (mobile)
  • From France: 00 961 71 234 567

Best Times to Call Lebanon

Lebanon uses Eastern European Time with daylight saving:

Time Zone Name UTC Offset
EET Eastern European Time UTC+2
EEST Eastern European Summer Time UTC+3 (summer)

Time differences from major cities:

Your Location Lebanon Time Difference Call Lebanon 9 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) Lebanon is 7 hours ahead 2 AM - 10 AM your time
US West Coast (PST) Lebanon is 10 hours ahead 11 PM - 7 AM your time
UK (GMT) Lebanon is 2 hours ahead 7 AM - 3 PM your time
France (CET) Lebanon is 1 hour ahead 8 AM - 4 PM your time

Tip: The weekend in Lebanon is Saturday-Sunday (Western-style). Business hours are typically Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, though some businesses close for a midday break.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 961 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: This is the most common mistake. Always drop the 0 when calling internationally.
  • Confusing +961 with +962: +961 is Lebanon, +962 is Jordan. These neighboring countries have sequential codes.
  • Wrong number length: After dropping the 0, Lebanese numbers should be 6-8 digits after +961.
  • Confusing mobile and landline prefixes: Mobile prefixes (3, 70, 71, 76, 78, 79, 81) can look similar to landline area codes.
  • Missing the area code: For landlines, you need the regional area code after +961.

Cheapest Ways to Call +961 Numbers

International calls to Lebanon can be expensive through traditional carriers. Here are better options:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Lebanon. Check our Lebanon calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is widely used in Lebanon and allows free calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer Middle East calling bundles. Check our guide on how to make international calls.

Lebanon has one of the largest diaspora populations relative to its size, so many providers offer competitive rates for calls to Lebanon.

Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +961 country code?

The +961 country code is for Lebanon. This covers all of Lebanon including Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, and Tyre.

How many digits is a Lebanese phone number?

Lebanese phone numbers are 7-8 digits when dialed locally (including the trunk prefix 0). When dialing internationally, drop the leading 0. Mobile numbers are 8 digits starting with 3 or 7. Landlines use area codes.

Does Lebanon have area codes?

Yes, Lebanon uses area codes for landline numbers. Beirut is 1, North Lebanon (Tripoli) is 6, South Lebanon is 7, and the Bekaa Valley is 8. Mobile numbers do not use area codes.

How do I call Lebanon from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +961 followed by the Lebanese number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 961, then the number without the leading 0.

Do I drop a 0 when calling Lebanon internationally?

Yes, drop the leading 0 when calling Lebanon internationally. If the local number is 01 234 567 (Beirut), dial +961 1 234 567 internationally.

Is +961 Lebanon or Jordan?

+961 is the country code for Lebanon. The country code for Jordan is +962. These neighboring countries have sequential codes but are different.

Related Country Codes

Looking for other country codes in the region? Check out these guides:

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