How to Call Laos (+856)
Country code, exit codes, phone number format, and common mistakes when calling Laos from abroad.
Dialing format
Calling Laos
011 856 XXXX XXXX
Exit code
Dial this first to exit United States
Country code
Laos country code
Area code
City/region code
Local number
The subscriber number
From the United States, dial 011 to place an international call, then 856 for Laos, then the area code (drop any leading 0), followed by the local number. With Telvio you dial the same format — no prefix change needed.
Exit codes by source country
The exit code depends on where YOU are calling from. On mobile phones and VoIP apps, use + instead.
| Calling from | Exit code | You dial |
|---|---|---|
| United States / Canada | 011 | 011 856 ... |
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 856 ... |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 856 ... |
| Most of Europe | 00 | 00 856 ... |
| Japan | 010 | 010 856 ... |
| From a mobile / VoIP app | + | +856 ... |
Laos phone number format
Common mistakes
- ✕ Keeping the leading 0 when dialing from abroad. Drop it — it is only for domestic calls within Laos.
- ✕ Using the wrong exit code. Each country has its own (US: 011, UK: 00). On mobile, just use +.
- ✕ Forgetting the country code +856. Without it, the call will fail or route locally.
Country codes that get mistaken for +856
A wrong country code does not fail cleanly. It connects — to a stranger in another country — and it bills. These are the codes a caller most plausibly dials instead of +856 when calling Laos.
- +256UgandaOne digit awayGuide
- +356MaltaOne digit awayGuide
- +852Hong KongOne digit awayGuide
- +855CambodiaOne digit awayGuide
The reliable habit is to store Laos numbers with the plus sign and the full code — +856 — rather than typing them each time. A number saved in full international form dials correctly from any country you happen to be in, and removes the whole class of mistake above.
Calling out of Laos
To dial an international number from inside Laos, start with the exit code 00, then the destination country code, then the number without its own trunk prefix. The exit code belongs to the country you are calling FROM, not the one you are calling.
On a mobile, press and hold the 0 key until a plus sign appears and dial the number in full international form instead. The plus tells the network to work out the exit code itself, so the same saved number dials correctly whether you are at home or abroad — no need to remember 00 at all.
When to call Laos
What the clock reads in Laos when it is mid-morning, early afternoon and evening where you are. Highlighted cells fall between 9:00 and 21:00 local time at the other end.
| Calling from | Offset | 09:00 | 13:00 | 19:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | +12:00 | 21:00 | 01:00 | 07:00 |
| Los Angeles | +15:00 | 00:00 | 04:00 | 10:00 |
| London | +7:00 | 16:00 | 20:00 | 02:00 |
| Dubai | +3:00 | 12:00 | 16:00 | 22:00 |
| Sydney | −4:00 | 05:00 | 09:00 | 15:00 |
Offsets calculated for mid-January. Countries that observe daylight saving shift by an hour for part of the year — the planner works out today's offset from your own device.
Other Asian destinations, cheapest first
Rates vary by more than a factor of ten inside a single region, because each one is set by what the operator at the far end charges to accept the call. Taiwan is currently the cheapest place we publish a rate for near Laos.
Free tools
All toolsFrequently asked questions
What is the country code for Laos?
The country code for Laos is +856. Dial this after your exit code (or use + on a mobile) before the local number.
How do I call Laos from the United States?
From a landline: dial 011 + 856 + the local number. From a mobile or a VoIP app like Telvio: dial +856 + the local number — the + works from any country without knowing its exit code.
Do I need to drop the leading 0 when calling Laos?
Yes. Laos uses 0 as a trunk prefix for domestic calls. When dialing internationally, drop the leading 0 from the local number.
What is the exit code to call Laos from my country?
The exit code depends on where you are calling FROM, not the destination. The US uses 011, the UK and most of Europe use 00, Australia uses 0011. On any mobile phone or VoIP app, you can use + instead.
Can I call Laos mobile phones internationally?
Yes. Dial the country code +856 followed by the mobile number (without the leading 0). VoIP apps like Telvio make this easy — just enter the full number with country code.
