Bangladesh Country Code (+880): Complete Guide
Complete guide to Bangladesh country code +880. Learn how to dial Bangladesh from abroad, understand area codes, mobile formats, and save money on international calls.
Bangladesh Country Code (+880): Complete Guide
Quick Answer
The Bangladesh country code is +880. Whether you're calling from the United States, Europe, Asia, or anywhere else in the world, you'll need to dial +880 before the Bangladesh phone number to connect.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about calling Bangladesh: how to dial correctly, understanding area codes, mobile number formats, carrier details, and the cheapest ways to make international calls to Bangladesh.
How to Dial Bangladesh from Abroad
International Dialing Format
[Exit Code] + 880 + (Area Code) + Phone NumberStep 1: Dial Your Country's Exit Code
- Most countries: 00
- From USA/Canada: 011
- From mobile phones: + (plus sign) - works worldwide
Step 2: Dial "880" (Bangladesh Country Code)
After your exit code, always dial 880 for Bangladesh
Step 3: Dial the Area Code & Local Number
Remember to drop the leading '0' from area codes when dialing from abroad. Inside Bangladesh, landline numbers are dialed as 0 + area code + local number.
📞 Example: Calling Dhaka
🇺🇸 From USA:
011 + 880 + 2 + local numberUS exit code (011) + Bangladesh code (880)
📱 From Any Mobile:
+880 + 2 + local numberUse + instead of exit code (works everywhere)
Major Bangladesh Area Codes
| Area Code | City / Region |
|---|---|
| 2 | Dhaka (capital) |
| 31 | Chittagong (Chattogram) |
| 721 | Rajshahi |
| 41 | Khulna |
| 821 | Sylhet |
| 521 | Rangpur |
| 431 | Barisal (Barishal) |
| 81 | Comilla (Cumilla) |
| 91 | Mymensingh |
| 9882 | Gazipur |
Note: Bangladesh area codes vary in length from 1 digit (Dhaka = 2) to 4 digits (Gazipur = 9882). The shorter the area code, the larger the city. This is similar to how Vienna, Austria uses the single-digit code "1".
Mobile Numbers in Bangladesh
📱 Bangladesh Mobile Number Format
Bangladeshi mobile numbers are 11 digits domestically (01X-XXXX-XXXX) or 10 digits after the country code. The format from abroad:
+880 1X XXXX XXXXDomestically: 01X-XXXX-XXXX (11 digits). Drop the leading 0 when dialing from abroad. The second and third digits (1X) identify the carrier.
Mobile Carriers in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has over 180 million mobile subscribers, making it one of the world's largest mobile markets. Four operators serve the country, with Grameenphone holding the dominant position.
| Carrier | Market Share | Mobile Prefixes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grameenphone (GP) | ~47% | 017 | Telenor subsidiary. Largest network with best nationwide coverage, including rural areas. Most popular carrier. |
| Robi (Axiata) | ~29% | 018 | Merged with Airtel Bangladesh in 2016. Strong 4G network in urban areas. Owned by Axiata Group (Malaysia). |
| Banglalink (VEON) | ~22% | 019, 014 | Owned by VEON (Netherlands). Competitive pricing. Good coverage in major cities and divisional towns. |
| Teletalk | ~2% | 015 | State-owned carrier. Limited coverage and subscriber base. Required for some government services. |
Special & Emergency Numbers in Bangladesh
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 999 | National Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance - unified) |
| 199 | RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) Hotline |
| 333 | Government Information Service |
| 16163 | BTRC (Telecom Regulator) Complaints |
| 10606 | Electricity Emergency |
Toll-Free & Premium Numbers
- Toll-free numbers: Bangladesh uses the prefix
0800for toll-free services, though these are only reachable from within Bangladesh and are mostly used by banks and large corporations. - Short codes: Many businesses use 4-5 digit short codes (e.g., 16XXX) for customer service. These are not reachable from outside Bangladesh.
Best Times to Call Bangladesh
Bangladesh uses Bangladesh Standard Time (BST, UTC+6) year-round. There is no daylight saving time.
From the USA (EST/EDT)
Bangladesh is 11 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (10 hours during EDT). If it is 8:00 AM in New York, it is 7:00 PM in Dhaka. Best window: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM ET (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM in Bangladesh).
From the UK (GMT/BST)
Bangladesh is 6 hours ahead of GMT (5 hours during British Summer Time). If it is 1:00 PM in London, it is 7:00 PM in Dhaka. Best window: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM UK time (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM in Bangladesh).
Bangladesh's weekend is Friday and Saturday. Most offices are open Sunday through Thursday. Government offices typically run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM BST. Avoid calling during Eid holidays when networks can be congested.
Country Information
Troubleshooting: Common Issues Calling Bangladesh
1. Drop the Leading "0" When Dialing from Abroad
Inside Bangladesh, you dial 02-XXXXXXXX for Dhaka or 01X-XXXX-XXXX for mobile numbers. When calling from abroad, remove the leading 0. The correct format is +880 2-XXXXXXXX (Dhaka landline) or +880 1X-XXXX-XXXX (mobile). This is the single most common mistake callers make.
2. Bangladesh Mobile Numbers Are 11 Digits (Domestically)
A complete Bangladeshi mobile number has 11 digits when dialed locally: 01X-XXXX-XXXX. After the country code (+880), it becomes 10 digits: 1X-XXXX-XXXX. If you are given a number that seems too short or too long, double-check whether the leading 0 is included. A number like "01712345678" should be dialed as +880-1712345678.
3. Network Congestion During Festivals (Eid)
During Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha (the two major holidays), Bangladesh's mobile networks experience extreme congestion. Millions of calls are placed simultaneously, and you may hear "all circuits are busy" or experience dropped calls. Try calling during off-peak hours (early morning Bangladesh time) or use BubblyPhone which routes through dedicated international gateways.
4. Dhaka Area Code "2" Is Very Short
Dhaka uses the single-digit area code 2, similar to how Vienna (Austria) uses "1" and Moscow uses "495/499". This means Dhaka landline numbers have more local digits to compensate. If a Dhaka number seems to have too many digits, it is likely correct. A full Dhaka landline call from abroad looks like: +880 2 XXXX XXXX.
5. Limited Landline Coverage in Rural Areas
Landline infrastructure in Bangladesh is concentrated in major cities. Many rural areas have no landline service at all, and residents rely entirely on mobile phones. If you cannot reach a landline number, ask your contact for their mobile number instead. Grameenphone (017) has the best rural mobile coverage in Bangladesh.
Cheapest Ways to Call Bangladesh
1. BubblyPhone
Rate: $0.01/min to Bangladesh
Best For: Calling any Bangladesh number (business, landline, mobile)
- ✓No subscription - pay only for minutes used
- ✓Works from browser on any device (no app needed)
- ✓Crystal-clear HD call quality
- ✓Reaches all carriers: GP, Robi, Banglalink, Teletalk
2. WhatsApp, IMO, Messenger
Rate: FREE
Best For: Calling friends and family who have the app
- ✓Free voice and video calls
- ✓IMO is extremely popular in Bangladesh
- ✗Both parties need the app installed
- ✗Cannot call landlines or businesses
⚠️ Warning: Using your regular phone carrier to call Bangladesh can cost $1-5 per minute! Save up to 99% by using BubblyPhone instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bangladesh country code?
The Bangladesh country code is +880. You must dial this code before any Bangladesh phone number when calling from abroad.
How do I call Bangladesh from my mobile phone?
From any mobile phone worldwide, dial: +880 (area code) (phone number). The + symbol replaces your country's exit code.
What's the cheapest way to call Bangladesh?
For calling any Bangladesh number, BubblyPhone at $0.01/min is the cheapest option. For free calls, use WhatsApp, IMO, Messenger if both parties have the app installed.
What time zone is Bangladesh in?
Bangladesh uses Bangladesh Standard Time (BST, UTC+6). There is no daylight saving time. Bangladesh is 11 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 6 hours ahead of UK GMT.
How many digits is a Bangladesh phone number?
A Bangladeshi mobile number has 11 digits when dialed domestically (01X-XXXX-XXXX) or 10 digits after the +880 country code. Landline numbers vary in length depending on the area code: Dhaka (area code 2) has 8 local digits, while smaller cities may have 6-7 local digits with longer area codes.
What is the cheapest way to call Bangladesh from USA?
BubblyPhone offers calls to Bangladesh at just $0.01 per minute from the USA, with no subscription or hidden fees. This is significantly cheaper than major US carriers like AT&T ($3.00/min), T-Mobile ($0.25-3.00/min), or Verizon ($1.99/min). You can call from any browser without downloading an app.
Does WhatsApp calling work in Bangladesh?
Yes, WhatsApp voice and video calls work in Bangladesh. However, IMO is actually more popular than WhatsApp for voice/video calls in Bangladesh due to its lower data usage. Both apps require an internet connection on both ends. If your contact has limited data, IMO tends to work better on slower connections. For calling a phone number directly (no app needed on the other end), use BubblyPhone.
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