The 965 country code belongs to Kuwait. Whether you're calling business contacts in Kuwait City, family in Hawalli, or coordinating with colleagues in Salmiya, the +965 prefix connects you to this Persian Gulf nation of over 4 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +965 is for Kuwait. Kuwaiti numbers are 8 digits with no leading zero to drop. Simply dial +965 followed by all 8 digits. For example: +965 2345 6789.

How to Call Kuwait: Quick Reference

Calling Kuwait is simpler than many countries because there is no trunk prefix to remove. Just dial the country code followed by all 8 digits.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +965 [8-digit number]
US/Canada Landline 011-965-[8-digit number]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-965-[8-digit number]
Saudi Arabia 00-965-[8-digit number]
UAE 00-965-[8-digit number]
India 00-965-[8-digit number]

Kuwait is a major oil-producing nation in the Persian Gulf with a large expatriate workforce, making international calls to +965 numbers common.

Understanding Kuwaiti Phone Numbers

Kuwaiti phone numbers are among the simplest in the world - all numbers are exactly 8 digits with no area codes or trunk prefixes.

No Trunk Prefix

Unlike many countries, Kuwait does not use a trunk prefix (leading 0). This means:

  • No digits to remove when calling internationally
  • Dial all 8 digits exactly as given
  • The number you see locally is the same number you dial internationally (just add +965)

This makes calling Kuwait simpler than countries like the UK or Germany where you must drop the leading 0.

Mobile Numbers

Kuwaiti mobile numbers start with 5, 6, or 9:

  • Format: XXXX XXXX (8 digits)
  • Starting digits: 5, 6, or 9
  • Example: 5123 4567 becomes +965 5123 4567
  • Example: 9876 5432 becomes +965 9876 5432

Landline Numbers

Kuwaiti landlines start with 2:

  • Format: 2XXX XXXX (8 digits starting with 2)
  • Example: 2345 6789 becomes +965 2345 6789

Note: Kuwait has no area codes. The entire country uses the same numbering system.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell mobile from landline by the first digit:

  • Starts with 5, 6, or 9: Always a mobile number
  • Starts with 2: Always a landline number

This distinction matters because calling rates to mobiles are typically higher than landlines with most international calling services.

Dialing Examples

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

Example 1: Calling a Kuwait Landline from the US

  • Kuwaiti Number: 2345 6789
  • From a US Mobile: +965 2345 6789
  • From a US Landline: 011 965 2345 6789

Example 2: Calling a Kuwaiti Mobile from the US

  • Kuwaiti Number: 5123 4567
  • From a US Mobile: +965 5123 4567
  • From a US Landline: 011 965 5123 4567

Example 3: Calling Kuwait from the UK

  • Kuwaiti Number: 9876 5432
  • From the UK: 00 965 9876 5432

Example 4: Calling Kuwait from Saudi Arabia

  • Kuwaiti Number: 6543 2109
  • From Saudi Arabia: 00 965 6543 2109

Best Times to Call Kuwait

Kuwait operates on a single time zone with no daylight saving time:

Time Zone Name UTC Offset
AST Arabia Standard Time UTC+3

Time differences from major cities:

Your Location Kuwait Time Difference Call Kuwait 9 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) Kuwait is 8 hours ahead 1 AM - 9 AM your time
US West Coast (PST) Kuwait is 11 hours ahead 10 PM - 6 AM your time
UK (GMT) Kuwait is 3 hours ahead 6 AM - 2 PM your time
India (IST) Kuwait is 2.5 hours behind 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM your time

Tip: Kuwait observes Islamic holidays and the weekend is Friday-Saturday. Business hours are typically Sunday-Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM local time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 965 country code:

  • Adding a leading 0: Unlike many countries, Kuwait has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number.
  • Confusing +965 with +966: +965 is Kuwait, +966 is Saudi Arabia. These neighboring Gulf countries have similar codes.
  • Wrong number length: Kuwaiti numbers are exactly 8 digits. If you have more or fewer, the number may be incorrect.
  • Confusing mobile prefixes: Mobile numbers start with 5, 6, or 9. Landlines start with 2. Numbers starting with other digits may be special services.
  • Forgetting business hours: The Kuwaiti work week is Sunday-Thursday. Friday and Saturday are weekend days.

Cheapest Ways to Call +965 Numbers

International calls to Kuwait don't have to be expensive. Here are your best options:

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

Kuwait has a large expatriate workforce from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, so affordable calling options are widely available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +965 country code?

The +965 country code is for Kuwait. This covers all of Kuwait including Kuwait City, Hawalli, Salmiya, and Farwaniya.

How many digits is a Kuwaiti phone number?

Kuwaiti phone numbers are exactly 8 digits. There are no area codes. Mobile numbers start with 5, 6, or 9. Landlines start with 2.

Does Kuwait have area codes?

No, Kuwait does not use area codes. The country is small enough that all phone numbers are 8 digits with no regional prefixes. Just dial +965 followed by the 8-digit number.

How do I call Kuwait from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +965 followed by the 8-digit Kuwaiti number. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 965, then the 8-digit number.

Do I drop a 0 when calling Kuwait internationally?

No, Kuwait does not use a trunk prefix (leading 0). Simply dial +965 followed by all 8 digits of the Kuwaiti number exactly as given.

Is +965 Kuwait or Saudi Arabia?

+965 is the country code for Kuwait. The country code for Saudi Arabia is +966. These neighboring Gulf countries have similar codes but are different.

Related Country Codes

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