251 Country Code: Ethiopia (+251)
Country code 251 (+251) belongs to Ethiopia. Ethiopia uses the international dialing code +251, assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the E.164 standard. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is ET.
You will see the same code written several ways depending on origin: +251 (universal + prefix, works from mobile), 00251 (from countries that use 00 as their international exit code — most of Europe, Asia, and Latin America), 011 251 (from the US and Canada), 0011 251 (from Australia), or the bare 251. All refer to the same Ethiopia country code. Note: 251 is not a US area code — US area codes are also 3 digits but +251 is the international dialing code for Ethiopia, not a domestic US destination.
Below you will find the number format, trunk prefix, major city area codes, and dialing facts specific to Ethiopia (+251).
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Did You Get a Call from +251? Here's What That Means
Any incoming call that displays +251 followed by more digits is originating from Ethiopia. The caller is dialing you from a Ethiopia-registered phone number — either a landline or a mobile on a Ethiopia carrier.
Common reasons people receive calls from +251:
- -Family or friends in Ethiopia calling from a local number
- -Business contacts at Ethiopia-based companies
- -Customer support agents working from a Ethiopia call center
- -Travel-related calls (hotels, airlines, tour operators)
- -Less commonly, robocalls or scam calls that have spoofed a +251 number — if the call is unsolicited, do not return it without verifying the source
To return a call to a +251 number from the US, use Kinvo's Ethiopia dialing guide — calls cost from $1.20/min with no app to download.
Ethiopia Phone Number Format
International Format Example
Domestic vs International
Drop 0 and prepend +251.
Calling Ethiopia Successfully: Common Mistakes & Best Practices
Most failed calls to Ethiopia come from one of four mistakes, not from network problems. The most common is mishandling the leading 0: domestically, Ethiopia numbers are written with 0 at the front (e.g. 0911234567), but that 0 is the domestic trunk prefix and must be removed when calling from outside Ethiopia. Dial +251 followed directly by the local number without the 0.
The second is misreading the area code on landline numbers — Ethiopia numbers may have variable formatting depending on the carrier and city, so confirm the area code with the recipient before dialing. The third is dialing during off-hours — Ethiopia uses local business hours and consumer phones are usually answered between 8 AM and 9 PM local time. The fourth and most expensive mistake is assuming your US carrier's WiFi calling feature makes the call cheap. It does not — see WiFi calling vs VoIP for international calls for why.
For scam-call awareness: +251 is the legitimate Ethiopia country code, and most unsolicited calls from +251 numbers are legitimate calls from Ethiopia-based businesses, hospitals, family members, or call centers serving US customers. Caller-ID spoofing exists, so if a call from a +251 number claims to be from a US government agency, your bank, or the IRS, hang up and call the agency back on its published number. Real authorities never demand payment over the phone.
When you are ready to place a call, the cheapest reliable route is to dial +251 from your browser using Kinvo — no app, no carrier add-on, and the per-minute rate is shown before you connect so there are no bill surprises. The browser approach also works from any laptop, tablet, or phone you happen to have access to, which matters when you're traveling, using a work device, or borrowing someone else's computer.
Calling Ethiopia from Your Browser
To place a call to Ethiopia, dial +251 followed by the local number in the Kinvo browser dialer. Pay-as-you-go, no app required.
Call Ethiopia from Your Browser
Call any Ethiopia number (+251) directly from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. No install required. Use it in under 2 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Ethiopia Country Code
Which country is country code 251?
Country code 251 belongs to Ethiopia. The full international dialing code is +251, also written as 00251 from countries using 00 as their international exit code (Europe, most of Asia, Latin America), 011 251 from the US and Canada, or +251 from any mobile phone.
What is the country code for Ethiopia?
+251 is the international dialing code for Ethiopia, assigned by the ITU under E.164. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is ET. Equivalent forms — 00251, 011 251, +251, and 251 — all refer to the same Ethiopia country code.
Is 251 a US area code?
No. 251 is the international country code for Ethiopia, not a US area code. US area codes are also 3 digits but they are domestic North American Numbering Plan codes — to reach Ethiopia from the US, dial +251 or 011 251 followed by the local number.
Do I drop the 0 when calling Ethiopia from abroad?
Yes. Ethiopia uses 0 as its domestic trunk prefix. When dialing from another country, remove it and replace with +251. The trunk prefix is only needed for long-distance calls within Ethiopia.
Can I call Ethiopia from my browser?
Yes. Kinvo connects calls to Ethiopia via WebRTC directly from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. No app download. Sign up, add credits from $5, and dial +251 followed by the local number.