856 Country Code: Laos (+856)
Country code 856 (+856) belongs to Laos. Laos uses the international dialing code +856, assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the E.164 standard. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is LA.
You will see the same code written several ways depending on origin: +856 (universal + prefix, works from mobile), 00856 (from countries that use 00 as their international exit code — most of Europe, Asia, and Latin America), 011 856 (from the US and Canada), 0011 856 (from Australia), or the bare 856. All refer to the same Laos country code. Note: 856 is not a US area code — US area codes are also 3 digits but +856 is the international dialing code for Laos, not a domestic US destination.
Below you will find the number format, trunk prefix, major city area codes, and dialing facts specific to Laos (+856).
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Did You Get a Call from +856? Here's What That Means
Any incoming call that displays +856 followed by more digits is originating from Laos. The caller is dialing you from a Laos-registered phone number — either a landline or a mobile on a Laos carrier.
Common reasons people receive calls from +856:
- -Family or friends in Laos calling from a local number
- -Business contacts at Laos-based companies
- -Customer support agents working from a Laos call center
- -Travel-related calls (hotels, airlines, tour operators)
- -Less commonly, robocalls or scam calls that have spoofed a +856 number — if the call is unsolicited, do not return it without verifying the source
To return a call to a +856 number from the US, use Kinvo's Laos dialing guide — calls cost from $0.38/min with no app to download.
Laos Phone Number Format
International Format Example
Domestic vs International
Drop 0 and prepend +856.
Calling Laos Successfully: Common Mistakes & Best Practices
Most failed calls to Laos come from one of four mistakes, not from network problems. The most common is mishandling the leading 0: domestically, Laos numbers are written with 0 at the front (e.g. 02023123456), but that 0 is the domestic trunk prefix and must be removed when calling from outside Laos. Dial +856 followed directly by the local number without the 0.
The second is misreading the area code on landline numbers — Laos 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 — Laos 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: +856 is the legitimate Laos country code, and most unsolicited calls from +856 numbers are legitimate calls from Laos-based businesses, hospitals, family members, or call centers serving US customers. Caller-ID spoofing exists, so if a call from a +856 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 +856 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 Laos from Your Browser
To place a call to Laos, dial +856 followed by the local number in the Kinvo browser dialer. Pay-as-you-go, no app required.
Call Laos from Your Browser
Call any Laos number (+856) directly from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. No install required. Use it in under 2 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Laos Country Code
Which country is country code 856?
Country code 856 belongs to Laos. The full international dialing code is +856, also written as 00856 from countries using 00 as their international exit code (Europe, most of Asia, Latin America), 011 856 from the US and Canada, or +856 from any mobile phone.
What is the country code for Laos?
+856 is the international dialing code for Laos, assigned by the ITU under E.164. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is LA. Equivalent forms — 00856, 011 856, +856, and 856 — all refer to the same Laos country code.
Is 856 a US area code?
No. 856 is the international country code for Laos, not a US area code. US area codes are also 3 digits but they are domestic North American Numbering Plan codes — to reach Laos from the US, dial +856 or 011 856 followed by the local number.
Do I drop the 0 when calling Laos from abroad?
Yes. Laos uses 0 as its domestic trunk prefix. When dialing from another country, remove it and replace with +856. The trunk prefix is only needed for long-distance calls within Laos.
Can I call Laos from my browser?
Yes. Kinvo connects calls to Laos via WebRTC directly from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. No app download. Sign up, add credits from $5, and dial +856 followed by the local number.