Senegal Calling Code: +221
Complete guide to calling Senegal — international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.
How to Call Senegal 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 +221 — the country calling code for Senegal
- Dial the local phone number (area code + subscriber number)
About Senegal Calling Code
Every country has a unique international dialing prefix; for Senegal it is +221. The ITU assigns these codes under recommendation E.164. Dial +221 after your country's exit code, then the local subscriber number. Senegal is in Africa.
Senegal is known locally as Sénégal — Dakar is the capital. When saving an international contact, write the number in full international format with +221 so it works from any country.
The ITU-T E.164 recommendation standardizes international numbering, giving every country and territory a distinct prefix. Without the correct prefix, international calls cannot be routed to the right destination.
Where the +221 Calling Code Is Used
The country code +221 is assigned to Senegal, located in Western Africa, with the capital Dakar. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to Senegal from outside the country.
A number displayed as +221 … is in international format: +221 replaces the domestic trunk prefix. From abroad, always drop any leading 0 of the area code and dial +221 + area code + subscriber number.
Calling codes starting with 2 are part of the ITU's regional numbering plan for the area around Senegal, in Western Africa. When saving Senegal numbers internationally, write +221 followed by the area code without its leading 0 — this format works from every country.
Senegal Phone Number Formats
Numbers in Senegal use the standard E.164 pattern — +221, then the area code, then the subscriber number. The same layout applies to landlines and mobile phones:
📱 Number Structure
- International format: +221 [area code] [subscriber number]
- From abroad: exit code + +221 + local number (drop the trunk prefix 0)
- Within Senegal: dial the local number directly
In most countries, domestic numbers start with a trunk prefix (often 0) that must be omitted internationally: dial your exit code, then +221, then the local number as written without its leading zero.
Time Zone in Senegal
Senegal runs on Africa/Dakar, which is UTC+00:00 UTC. Schedule international calls accordingly — a convenient time for you may be very early or very late there.
Use the UTC offset (UTC+00:00) to plan calls to Senegal. For most international callers, the practical rule is: schedule business-hour calls to Dakar during the overlap between your working day and theirs.
Daylight saving time can shift Senegal's clock by one hour in summer. For time-critical calls, confirm the current UTC offset rather than relying on the standard value.
Emergency Numbers in Senegal
If you need urgent help while in Senegal, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside Senegal.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 17 |
| Fire | 1515 |
| Ambulance | 18 |
Example: Calling Senegal Numbers in Practice
Here is how a typical call to Senegal works, depending on where you are calling from:
🌍 From the United States or Canada
- Dial the US/Canada exit code 011
- Dial the Senegal country code +221
- Dial the local number (area code + subscriber number, without the trunk prefix 0)
Example: 011 +221 [area code] [number]
🌍 From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the international access code 00 (or use the + symbol on mobile)
- Dial the Senegal country code +221
- Dial the local number
Example: 00 +221 [area code] [number], or +221 [area code] [number] from any mobile phone
Leading zeros in domestic area codes are not dialed internationally. Write the number as +221 + area code (no leading 0) + subscriber number.
Calling Senegal from Major Countries
International exit codes differ by country. Use this reference when dialing Senegal (+221) from abroad:
| Calling From | Exit Code | Full International Dialing |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 011 | 011 221 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 221 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 221 [local number] |
| China | 00 | 00 221 [local number] |
| Japan | 010 | 010 221 [local number] |
| India | 00 | 00 221 [local number] |
| Germany | 00 | 00 221 [local number] |
| France | 00 | 00 221 [local number] |
On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely — just dial +221 followed by the local number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calling code for Senegal?
The international calling code for Senegal is +221.
How do I call Senegal from the United States?
Dial 011 (US exit code), then +221, then the local phone number.
How do I call Senegal from the United Kingdom?
Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +221, then the local phone number.
Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?
Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +221 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.
How do I call within Senegal?
If you're already in Senegal, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +221 for domestic calls.
What is the capital of Senegal?
The capital of Senegal is Dakar. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +221 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.
What are the emergency numbers in Senegal?
Police: 17, Fire: 1515, Ambulance: 18. These numbers are only valid inside Senegal.
Other Countries in Africa
Nearby countries and their calling codes:
Calling Senegal from Egypt or South Africa works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +221, then the local number. Within Africa, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.