The 968 country code belongs to Oman. Whether you're calling business contacts in Muscat, family in Salalah on the Arabian Sea coast, or friends in the historic city of Nizwa, the +968 prefix connects you to this country of about 5 million people on the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula.
Quick Answer: The country code +968 is for Oman. Omani numbers are 8 digits with no leading zero to drop. Simply dial
+968followed by all 8 digits. For example:+968 1234 5678.
How to Call Oman: Quick Reference
Calling Oman is straightforward 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 | +968 [8-digit number] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-968-[8-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-968-[8-digit number] |
| India | 00-968-[8-digit number] |
| UAE | 00-968-[8-digit number] |
| Pakistan | 00-968-[8-digit number] |
Oman is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and has a substantial expatriate workforce, particularly from South Asia.
Understanding Omani Phone Numbers
Omani phone numbers are simple - all numbers are exactly 8 digits with no area codes or trunk prefixes.
No Trunk Prefix
Unlike many countries, Oman 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 +968)
This makes calling Oman simpler than countries like the UK or India where you must drop the leading 0.
Mobile Numbers
Omani mobile numbers start with 7 or 9:
- Format:
XXXX XXXX(8 digits) - Common prefixes: 71, 72, 79, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 99
- Example:
9512 3456becomes+968 9512 3456
Major mobile carriers in Oman include Omantel and Ooredoo Oman.
Landline Numbers
Omani landlines start with 2:
- Format:
2XXX XXXX(8 digits starting with 2) - Example:
2412 3456becomes+968 2412 3456
Note: Oman 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 7 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 Omani numbers from various countries:
Example 1: Calling an Oman Landline from the US
- Omani Number: 2412 3456
- From a US Mobile:
+968 2412 3456 - From a US Landline:
011 968 2412 3456
Example 2: Calling an Omani Mobile from the US
- Omani Number: 9598 7654
- From a US Mobile:
+968 9598 7654 - From a US Landline:
011 968 9598 7654
Example 3: Calling Oman from the UK
- Omani Number: 7123 4567
- From the UK:
00 968 7123 4567
Example 4: Calling Oman from UAE
- Omani Number: 9265 4321
- From UAE:
00 968 9265 4321
Best Times to Call Oman
Oman operates on a single time zone with no daylight saving time:
| Time Zone | Name | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| GST | Gulf Standard Time | UTC+4 |
Time differences from major cities:
| Your Location | Oman Time Difference | Call Oman 9 AM - 5 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Oman is 9 hours ahead | 12 AM - 8 AM your time |
| US West Coast (PST) | Oman is 12 hours ahead | 9 PM - 5 AM your time |
| UK (GMT) | Oman is 4 hours ahead | 5 AM - 1 PM your time |
| India (IST) | Oman is 1.5 hours behind | 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM your time |
Tip: The weekend in Oman is Friday-Saturday. Business hours are typically Sunday-Thursday, 8 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 7 PM (with a midday break).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 968 country code:
- Adding a leading 0: Unlike many countries, Oman has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number.
- Confusing +968 with +966: +968 is Oman, +966 is Saudi Arabia. These neighboring countries have similar codes.
- Wrong number length: Omani numbers are exactly 8 digits. If you have more or fewer, the number may be incorrect.
- Confusing mobile and landline: Mobile numbers start with 7 or 9. Landlines start with 2.
- Forgetting the weekend: Oman's work week is Sunday-Thursday. Friday and Saturday are weekend days.
Cheapest Ways to Call +968 Numbers
International calls to Oman don't have to be expensive. Here are your best options:
- VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Oman. Check our Oman calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is widely used in Oman and allows free calls over WiFi or data.
- International Calling Plans: Many carriers include Oman in Middle East calling bundles. Check our guide on how to make international calls.
Oman has a large expatriate workforce from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, so affordable calling options are available through many providers.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +968 country code?
The +968 country code is for Oman. This covers all of Oman including Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, and Nizwa.
How many digits is an Omani phone number?
Omani phone numbers are exactly 8 digits. There are no area codes. Mobile numbers start with 7 or 9. Landlines start with 2.
Does Oman have area codes?
No, Oman does not use area codes. All phone numbers are 8 digits with no regional prefixes. Just dial +968 followed by the 8-digit number.
How do I call Oman from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +968 followed by the 8-digit Omani number. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 968, then the 8-digit number.
Do I drop a 0 when calling Oman internationally?
No, Oman does not use a trunk prefix (leading 0). Simply dial +968 followed by all 8 digits of the Omani number exactly as given.
Is +968 Oman or Saudi Arabia?
+968 is the country code for Oman. The country code for Saudi Arabia is +966. These neighboring countries have similar codes but are different.
Related Country Codes
Looking for other country codes in the region? Check out these guides:
- +971 UAE - Northern neighbor and fellow GCC member
- +966 Saudi Arabia - Western neighbor
- +91 India - Large expat community in Oman
- +92 Pakistan - Large expat community in Oman
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