Central African Republic Calling Code: +236
Complete guide to calling Central African Republic — international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.
How to Call Central African Republic from Abroad
📞 Step-by-Step Dialing Guide
- Dial your country's exit code (e.g. 011 from US, 00 from most countries, + from mobile)
- Dial +236 — the country calling code for Central African Republic
- Dial the local phone number (area code + subscriber number)
About Central African Republic Calling Code
To reach Central African Republic from another country, first dial the international calling code +236 — assigned by the ITU — followed by the local number. Central African Republic is located in Africa, in Middle Africa.
Central African Republic is known locally as Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka — Bangui is the capital. When saving an international contact, write the number in full international format with +236 so it works from any country.
International calling codes follow the ITU-T standards E.123 and E.164, which define how phone numbers are written and dialed across borders. The prefix you dial after the exit code tells the global telephone network which national network to route the call to.
Where the +236 Calling Code Is Used
The country code +236 is assigned to Central African Republic, located in Middle Africa, with the capital Bangui. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to Central African Republic from outside the country.
When a number is written as +236 …, the +236 prefix directs your call to the Central African Republic national network. After the prefix, dial the area code without its leading zero, then the subscriber number — the same pattern for landlines and mobiles.
ITU-T E.164 groups calling codes by world region; codes beginning with 2 cover the part of the world that includes Central African Republic, in Middle Africa. Storing numbers with +236 and omitting the domestic leading zero keeps contacts dialable from anywhere.
Central African Republic Phone Number Formats
The ITU E.164 format for Central African Republic numbers is +236 + area code + subscriber number, used for landlines and mobiles alike. Here is the general structure:
📱 Number Structure
- International format: +236 [area code] [subscriber number]
- From abroad: exit code + +236 + local number (drop the trunk prefix 0)
- Within Central African Republic: dial the local number directly
Numbering plans vary: closed plans use fixed-length national numbers, while open plans allow variable lengths with a trunk prefix (usually 0) that is dropped for international calls. For calls to Central African Republic, replace the trunk zero with +236.
Time Zone in Central African Republic
The local time in Central African Republic follows the Africa/Bangui time zone (UTC+01:00 UTC). Check the time difference before you dial so your call arrives during waking hours.
Time differences matter when calling Central African Republic: if it is UTC+01:00 there, a morning call from Europe may reach Bangui in the afternoon, while callers in the Americas should check the offset to avoid late-night calls.
If Central African Republic observes daylight saving time, its UTC offset shifts by an hour twice a year. Double-check the current offset before time-sensitive calls, especially in spring and autumn.
Emergency Numbers in Central African Republic
If you need urgent help while in Central African Republic, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside Central African Republic.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 117 |
| Fire | 118 |
| Ambulance | 1220 |
Example: Calling Central African Republic Numbers in Practice
Here is how a typical call to Central African Republic works, depending on where you are calling from:
🌍 From the United States or Canada
- Dial the US/Canada exit code 011
- Dial the Central African Republic country code +236
- Dial the local number (area code + subscriber number, without the trunk prefix 0)
Example: 011 +236 [area code] [number]
🌍 From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the international access code 00 (or use the + symbol on mobile)
- Dial the Central African Republic country code +236
- Dial the local number
Example: 00 +236 [area code] [number], or +236 [area code] [number] from any mobile phone
If the local number begins with a trunk prefix (commonly 0), remove it when dialing internationally — +236 takes its place. The remaining digits are dialed exactly as written.
Calling Central African Republic from Major Countries
International exit codes differ by country. Use this reference when dialing Central African Republic (+236) from abroad:
| Calling From | Exit Code | Full International Dialing |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 011 | 011 236 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 236 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 236 [local number] |
| China | 00 | 00 236 [local number] |
| Japan | 010 | 010 236 [local number] |
| India | 00 | 00 236 [local number] |
| Germany | 00 | 00 236 [local number] |
| France | 00 | 00 236 [local number] |
On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely — just dial +236 followed by the local number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calling code for Central African Republic?
The international calling code for Central African Republic is +236.
How do I call Central African Republic from the United States?
Dial 011 (US exit code), then +236, then the local phone number.
How do I call Central African Republic from the United Kingdom?
Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +236, then the local phone number.
Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?
Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +236 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.
How do I call within Central African Republic?
If you're already in Central African Republic, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +236 for domestic calls.
What is the capital of Central African Republic?
The capital of Central African Republic is Bangui. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +236 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.
What are the emergency numbers in Central African Republic?
Police: 117, Fire: 118, Ambulance: 1220. These numbers are only valid inside Central African Republic.
Other Countries in Africa
Nearby countries and their calling codes:
Calling Central African Republic from Egypt or South Africa works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +236, then the local number. Within Africa, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.