Quick answer: +965 is Kuwait. Every Kuwaiti number has 8 digits after +965. Mobiles start with 41, 5, 6 or 9, and landlines start with 2. There are no area codes and no leading 0 to drop. Example:
+965 5123 4567.
How to dial Kuwait
| Calling from | Dial |
|---|---|
| Any mobile phone | +965 + 8 digits |
| US or Canada landline | 011 965 + 8 digits |
| UK, India, Egypt or Philippines landline | 00 965 + 8 digits |
Kuwait has no trunk prefix. People in Kuwait write the same 8 digits you dial from abroad, so add +965 and nothing else: 2245 6789 becomes +965 2245 6789. Don't put a 0 in front.
Mobile and landline numbers
Mobiles are 8 digits starting with 5, 6 or 9, or 41 for the newest range. People keep their number when they switch networks, so the first digit won't reliably tell you the operator.
Landlines are 8 digits starting with 2. Kuwait has no area codes, so a landline in Kuwait City and one in Jahra look the same.
Codes that get mixed up with +965
+966 is Saudi Arabia and +964 is Iraq.
Time difference
Kuwait is on Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3) all year, with no daylight saving time. The gap changes when your own clocks change.
| Where you are | Your clocks on summer time | Your clocks on standard time |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast | Kuwait is 7h ahead | Kuwait is 8h ahead |
| UK | Kuwait is 2h ahead | Kuwait is 3h ahead |
| Egypt | Same time | Kuwait is 1h ahead |
| India | Kuwait is 2h 30m behind all year | |
| Philippines | Kuwait is 5h behind all year | |
A 9 AM call from New York reaches Kuwait at 4 PM in the US summer and 5 PM in the US winter.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
FAQ
What is a 7-digit Kuwaiti number starting with 18?
It's a company number. Kuwait's numbering plan sets aside 7-digit numbers starting with 18 for businesses, so dial +965 and all seven digits. If it won't connect from abroad, ask the company for an 8-digit landline number.
Why won't my call to +965 go through?
Check three things: you have exactly 8 digits after +965, you didn't add a 0, and you dialed 965, not 966.