261 Country Code: Madagascar (+261)
Country code 261 (+261) belongs to Madagascar. Madagascar uses the international dialing code +261, assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the E.164 standard. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is MG.
You will see the same code written several ways depending on origin: +261 (universal + prefix, works from mobile), 00261 (from countries that use 00 as their international exit code — most of Europe, Asia, and Latin America), 011 261 (from the US and Canada), 0011 261 (from Australia), or the bare 261. All refer to the same Madagascar country code. Note: 261 is not a US area code — US area codes are also 3 digits but +261 is the international dialing code for Madagascar, not a domestic US destination.
Below you will find the number format, trunk prefix, major city area codes, and dialing facts specific to Madagascar (+261).
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Did You Get a Call from +261? Here's What That Means
Any incoming call that displays +261 followed by more digits is originating from Madagascar. The caller is dialing you from a Madagascar-registered phone number — either a landline or a mobile on a Madagascar carrier.
Common reasons people receive calls from +261:
- -Family or friends in Madagascar calling from a local number
- -Business contacts at Madagascar-based companies
- -Customer support agents working from a Madagascar call center
- -Travel-related calls (hotels, airlines, tour operators)
- -Less commonly, robocalls or scam calls that have spoofed a +261 number — if the call is unsolicited, do not return it without verifying the source
To return a call to a +261 number from the US, use Kinvo's Madagascar dialing guide — calls cost from $3.74/min with no app to download.
Madagascar Phone Number Format
International Format Example
Domestic vs International
Drop 0 and prepend +261.
Calling Madagascar Successfully: Common Mistakes & Best Practices
Most failed calls to Madagascar come from one of four mistakes, not from network problems. The most common is mishandling the leading 0: domestically, Madagascar numbers are written with 0 at the front (e.g. 0321234567), but that 0 is the domestic trunk prefix and must be removed when calling from outside Madagascar. Dial +261 followed directly by the local number without the 0.
The second is misreading the area code on landline numbers — Madagascar 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 — Madagascar 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: +261 is the legitimate Madagascar country code, and most unsolicited calls from +261 numbers are legitimate calls from Madagascar-based businesses, hospitals, family members, or call centers serving US customers. Caller-ID spoofing exists, so if a call from a +261 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 +261 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 Madagascar from Your Browser
To place a call to Madagascar, dial +261 followed by the local number in the Kinvo browser dialer. Pay-as-you-go, no app required.
Call Madagascar from Your Browser
Call any Madagascar number (+261) directly from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. No install required. Use it in under 2 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Madagascar Country Code
Which country is country code 261?
Country code 261 belongs to Madagascar. The full international dialing code is +261, also written as 00261 from countries using 00 as their international exit code (Europe, most of Asia, Latin America), 011 261 from the US and Canada, or +261 from any mobile phone.
What is the country code for Madagascar?
+261 is the international dialing code for Madagascar, assigned by the ITU under E.164. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is MG. Equivalent forms — 00261, 011 261, +261, and 261 — all refer to the same Madagascar country code.
Is 261 a US area code?
No. 261 is the international country code for Madagascar, not a US area code. US area codes are also 3 digits but they are domestic North American Numbering Plan codes — to reach Madagascar from the US, dial +261 or 011 261 followed by the local number.
Do I drop the 0 when calling Madagascar from abroad?
Yes. Madagascar uses 0 as its domestic trunk prefix. When dialing from another country, remove it and replace with +261. The trunk prefix is only needed for long-distance calls within Madagascar.
Can I call Madagascar from my browser?
Yes. Kinvo connects calls to Madagascar via WebRTC directly from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. No app download. Sign up, add credits from $5, and dial +261 followed by the local number.