The 974 country code belongs to Qatar. Whether you're calling business contacts in Doha, family in Al Wakrah, or colleagues at one of the many international companies based in this Persian Gulf peninsula nation, the +974 prefix connects you to a country of about 3 million people.
Quick Answer: The country code +974 is for Qatar. Qatari numbers are 8 digits with no leading zero to drop. Simply dial
+974followed by all 8 digits. For example:+974 1234 5678.
How to Call Qatar: Quick Reference
Calling Qatar 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 | +974 [8-digit number] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-974-[8-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-974-[8-digit number] |
| India | 00-974-[8-digit number] |
| Philippines | 00-974-[8-digit number] |
| Pakistan | 00-974-[8-digit number] |
Qatar is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and has a large expatriate workforce, particularly from South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Understanding Qatari Phone Numbers
Qatari phone numbers are simple - all numbers are exactly 8 digits with no area codes or trunk prefixes.
No Trunk Prefix
Unlike many countries, Qatar 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 +974)
This makes calling Qatar simpler than countries like the UK or India where you must drop the leading 0.
Mobile Numbers
Qatari mobile numbers start with 3, 5, 6, or 7:
- Format:
XXXX XXXX(8 digits) - Common prefixes: 30, 31, 33, 50, 55, 66, 70, 77
- Example:
5512 3456becomes+974 5512 3456
Major mobile carriers in Qatar include Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar.
Landline Numbers
Qatari landlines start with 4:
- Format:
4XXX XXXX(8 digits starting with 4) - Example:
4412 3456becomes+974 4412 3456
Note: Qatar 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 3, 5, 6, or 7: Always a mobile number
- Starts with 4: 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 Qatari numbers from various countries:
Example 1: Calling a Qatar Landline from the US
- Qatari Number: 4412 3456
- From a US Mobile:
+974 4412 3456 - From a US Landline:
011 974 4412 3456
Example 2: Calling a Qatari Mobile from the US
- Qatari Number: 5598 7654
- From a US Mobile:
+974 5598 7654 - From a US Landline:
011 974 5598 7654
Example 3: Calling Qatar from the UK
- Qatari Number: 3312 4567
- From the UK:
00 974 3312 4567
Example 4: Calling Qatar from India
- Qatari Number: 7765 4321
- From India:
00 974 7765 4321
Best Times to Call Qatar
Qatar 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 | Qatar Time Difference | Call Qatar 9 AM - 5 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Qatar is 8 hours ahead | 1 AM - 9 AM your time |
| US West Coast (PST) | Qatar is 11 hours ahead | 10 PM - 6 AM your time |
| UK (GMT) | Qatar is 3 hours ahead | 6 AM - 2 PM your time |
| India (IST) | Qatar is 2.5 hours behind | 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM your time |
Tip: The weekend in Qatar is Friday-Saturday. Business hours are typically Sunday-Thursday, 7 AM to 3 PM for government and 8 AM to 5 PM for private sector.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 974 country code:
- Adding a leading 0: Unlike many countries, Qatar has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number.
- Confusing +974 with +973: +974 is Qatar, +973 is Bahrain. These Persian Gulf neighbors have similar codes.
- Wrong number length: Qatari numbers are exactly 8 digits. If you have more or fewer, the number may be incorrect.
- Confusing mobile and landline: Mobile numbers start with 3, 5, 6, or 7. Landlines start with 4.
- Forgetting the weekend: Qatar's work week is Sunday-Thursday. Friday and Saturday are weekend days.
Cheapest Ways to Call +974 Numbers
International calls to Qatar don't have to be expensive. Here are your best options:
- VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Qatar. Check our Qatar calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is widely used in Qatar and allows free calls over WiFi or data.
- International Calling Plans: Many carriers include Qatar in Middle East calling bundles. Check our guide on how to make international calls.
Qatar has a large expatriate workforce from India, Nepal, Philippines, and other countries, 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 +974 country code?
The +974 country code is for Qatar. This covers all of Qatar including Doha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, and Al Rayyan.
How many digits is a Qatari phone number?
Qatari phone numbers are exactly 8 digits. There are no area codes. Mobile numbers start with 3, 5, 6, or 7. Landlines start with 4.
Does Qatar have area codes?
No, Qatar does not use area codes. The country is small enough that all phone numbers are 8 digits with no regional prefixes. Just dial +974 followed by the 8-digit number.
How do I call Qatar from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +974 followed by the 8-digit Qatari number. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 974, then the 8-digit number.
Do I drop a 0 when calling Qatar internationally?
No, Qatar does not use a trunk prefix (leading 0). Simply dial +974 followed by all 8 digits of the Qatari number exactly as given.
Is +974 Qatar or Bahrain?
+974 is the country code for Qatar. The country code for Bahrain is +973. These Persian Gulf countries have similar codes but are different.
Related Country Codes
Looking for other country codes in the Persian Gulf region? Check out these guides:
- +973 Bahrain - Neighboring island nation
- +966 Saudi Arabia - Shares Qatar's only land border
- +971 UAE - Fellow GCC member
- +91 India - Large expat community in Qatar
Ready to make clear, affordable international calls without the hassle? With CallSky.io, you can connect to over 180 countries, including Qatar, with crystal-clear quality and transparent per-minute rates. Start calling with CallSky.io today.