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Updated : January 7, 2026

Calling Saudi Arabia from the US sounds simple, but small mistakes can quickly derail the call. Dialing formats, time zones, and number types all matter more than most people expect. This is especially true as Saudi Arabia becomes increasingly connected on a global scale.

World Bank data shows that Saudi Arabia has a population of 35 million, with 100% internet usage, making fast and reliable international communication essential for both business and personal needs.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to call Saudi Arabia from the US, step by step, along with timing tips and cost-effective options.

Quick Guide: Call Saudi Arabia from the US

• Dial the US exit code 011
• Add Saudi Arabia’s country code 966 (same for landlines and mobiles)
• Dial the appropriate area code (landline) or mobile prefix, skipping any leading zero
• Finish by entering the local Saudi phone number
• Complete format: 011 + 966 + area code/mobile prefix + local number

How to Call Saudi Arabia From the US? [4-Step Guide]

Making a successful call depends on following the correct international dialing format. Missing even one digit can prevent your call from going through.

Step 1: Dial the US Exit Code

Every international call from the USA starts with an exit code. This tells your service provider that you are placing a call outside the country.

For the US, the exit code is 011.

Step 2: Enter the Saudi Arabia Country Code

Next, dial Saudi Arabia’s country code. The official country code for Saudi Arabia is 966. This code applies whether you are calling a landline or a mobile number.

Step 3: Dial the Area Code or Mobile Prefix

Saudi landlines use a regional Saudi Arebia number code, while mobile phones use a mobile prefix. Do not dial any leading zero that may appear in a local Saudi number.

For Example (Riyadh landline)

Step 4: Dial the Local Saudi Phone Number

Finally, enter the remaining digits of the local number. Once complete, your phone will attempt to connect.

Complete Format :

• 011 + 966 + 11 + XXXX XXXX

Pro-Tip

Always store Saudi contacts with the 966 country code and complete format instead of local formats. This ensures calls connect correctly across devices, VoIP systems, and CRM tools, especially when dialing from the US.

Calling Landlines vs. Mobile Numbers

Not all Saudi phone numbers follow the same structure. Understanding the difference helps avoid failed calls.

Landlines are often used for offices, while mobiles are more common for personal use.

Dialing Format Differences

Examples of Landline and Mobile calls

• Riyadh landline example:
  • 011 + 966 + 11 + XXXX XXXX
• Saudi mobile example:
  • 011 + 966 + 5X + XXX XXXX

Saudi Arabia Area Codes

Saudi Arabia uses geographic area codes for landlines, each linked to a major city or region.

Major Landline Area Codes in Saudi Arabia

Not all Saudi phone numbers follow the same structure. Understanding the difference helps avoid failed calls.
Below are saudi arabia phone number formats for landline and mobiles.

Mobile Phone Numbers in Saudi Arabia

Saudi mobile numbers typically begin with 5 followed by eight digits. No city-based area code is required, making mobile dialing simpler.

Cost-Effective Alternatives for International Calling

There are a number of cost-effective solutions available today to enable better international calling via more reliable, scalable, and manageable alternatives.

1. Using VoIP Services

VoIP calling enables you to place international phone calls using Saudi Arabia virtual phone number. This option saves drastically on call costs and provides crystal clear audio quality while preserving?voice connection stability.

For companies, cloud platforms like CallHippo are more than just a basic VoIP provider. They provide global virtual numbers, smart call routing, AI Copilot, CRM integrations, reports, and centralized call management for multiple countries. This facilitates global teams in managing their customer conversations in a professional manner without incurring premium carrier charges.

Make Hassle-Free Calls to
Saudi Arabia With CallHippo!

• 1Better Connect Rates
• 2 Crystal-clear Voip Quality
• 3Unified Call Management
• 4Actionable Calling Reports

Get a Saudi Virtual Number Today

2. Free Calling Apps

With the help of apps such as WhatsApp and Skype, free voice and video calls can be made between users on the same platform. These apps are convenient for personal communication, but not ideal for business.

They connect both your and the recipient’s browser. And these apps lack a breadth of features for tracking calls, compliance needs, or customer support flows. For your casual chat, they do the job. But they are less suitable for structured business calling.

3. International Calling Cards and Mobile Plan

Even some telecom companies provide international calling plans and the option to purchase prepaid calling cards for Saudi Arabia. They can be great for occasional calls, but typically offer fluctuating rates, hidden surcharges, and limited visibility into call details.

Rates vary based on provider, location, and length of call, so read the terms before you sign up. For businesses that make frequent international calls, these plans tend to be less flexible than cloud-based solutions.

Time Difference Between the US and Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia uses Arabia Standard Time (AST), which does not change for daylight saving time. Saudi Arabia is usually 7 to 10 hours ahead, depending on where you are in the US.

To keep it professional and to get a better response rate, always ask, “Is now a good time”

Improve Your Connect Rates Across Saudi Arabia

12–18%

Average B2B Connect Rate

2–4 PM AST

Optimal Calling Time

Tuesday – Wednesday

Best Day

What Actually Works:

Open with purpose and context, not pleasantries. Saudi decision-makers respond better when calls feel intentional and relevant. Use local Saudi virtual numbers to build instant trust and avoid being flagged as international spam. Reference industry trends, expansion plans, or operational challenges instead of generic pitches. A clear reason for calling, paired with respectful and direct language, significantly improves pickup and engagement rates.

What Doesn’t Work:

Midweek delivers the strongest results. Tuesday and Wednesday are preferred, while Monday, Thursday, Friday, and the weekend should be avoided. Many businesses in Saudi Arabia close for a 3-hour break around 12:00 p.m. local time. So avoid these hours. Also, avoid mornings, prayer breaks, and end-of-day hours when responsiveness drops.

When to Actually Call:

Midweek delivers the strongest results. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons between 3-5 PM AST align best with post-meeting availability and decision-maker focus. Avoid mornings, prayer breaks, and end-of-day hours when responsiveness drops.

Calling Etiquette & Cultural Tips

A knowledge of local customs is essential in communicating with Saudi Arabia. Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, but English is commonly used in business settings.

1. Professional & Social Etiquette

Saudi business discussions are generally polite, cordial, and more formal than in many Western countries. Always start the call with a nice greeting, rather than diving right into business. It might make our chat take a longer duration, but both chit-chatting and professional matters are appreciated. Patience, a level tone of voice, and polite words do wonders to build rapport.

2. Religious & Cultural Considerations

Make sure to follow the religious and cultural considerations of Saudi Arabia. Below are some of them:

3. Avoid prayer times

Five times a day, Saudi Arabia shuts down for the call to prayer, and businesses may close, and phones go unanswered. Planning calls outside of those windows will help increase your response rate.

4. Be mindful during Islamic holidays like Eid

Many offices run on reduced working hours or are closed during religious holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. If you are interested in calling during these hours, please understand that you should plan ahead since you may have to wait.

Emergency Numbers in Saudi Arabia

If you find yourself facing an emergency in Saudi Arabia, use the phone numbers for help listed here.

Conclusion

With the right exit code, Saudi Arabia country code, and knowledge of the +966 area code, you can call any telephone in Saudi Arabia for business. For regular or professional use, modern VoIP service gives you more control, costs less in the long run, and offers significantly better global call quality.

By leveraging platforms such as CallHippo, businesses and individual users can easily control their international calls. Moreover, you get to leverage plenty of cutting-edge features to easily call Saudi Arabia from the US.

FAQs

1) What is the Saudi Arabia country code?

The country code for Saudi Arabia is +966. You must dial this code when calling Saudi Arabia from another country, as it directs your call to the Saudi telecom network.

2) How do I call a Saudi mobile number from the US?

To call a Saudi mobile number from the US, dial 011 (US exit code), then 966 (Saudi Arabia country code), followed by the mobile number without the leading zero.
Example: 011 966 5X XXX XXXX

3) What is the cheapest way to call Saudi Arabia from USA?

The most cost-effective way to call Saudi Arabia from the USA is by using VoIP services or internet-based calling platforms, which offer significantly lower international rates than traditional carriers. Business VoIP solutions also provide features like local Saudi numbers, call routing, and analytics, helping reduce costs while improving call quality and reliability.

4) How to call Riyadh from us?

To call Riyadh from the US, dial 011-966-1-XXX-XXXX, replacing “XXX-XXXX” with the specific mobile phone number. For a full list of area codes and formats (including mobile prefixes like 5X, toll?free, VoIP ranges), check out our Saudi Arabia phone number format guide.

5) How much does it cost to call Saudi Arabia from the US?

The cost of calling Saudi Arabia from the US varies depending on your service provider and the type of plan you have. Rates for international calls can range from around $0.10 to $0.80 per minute.

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Published : January 7, 2026

Harsh Bairagi is a B2B SaaS content writer with over 4 years of experience in the tech industry. Harsh believes in creating good copies to bridge the gap between tech and emotion. When not chasing clean copy or clever metaphors, he is busy catching up on his favorite sports.

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