What's the country calling code for Malaysia?

When calling someone in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or Johor Bahru from the UK, it's important to understand international dialling rules.

This guide is designed to clear up any confusion. We explain the international code for Malaysia (+60), walk you through the exact dialling steps for both landlines and mobiles, and share tips on saving money and avoiding common mistakes, whether you’re calling from home or using a Revolut eSIM while travelling.

Understanding the international code for Malaysia

Making an international call requires a specific, multi-step sequence. The full sequence is essential to direct your call and ensure a successful connection.

The role of the international access code (00 or +)

Your call must begin with an international access code, also known as an exit code. This tells your phone company that the next digits are for a country outside of your own.

• Calling from a mobile phone: you should always start your sequence with +. This allows your phone company to redirect your call out of your country. Since most customers use mobile phones, this makes things simpler.
• Calling from a landline: you must start with 00 instead of +. This is the standard international exit code for the UK and many other countries.

The mandatory Malaysia country code: 60

Immediately following your exit code, you must dial the country code. In this case, you use the Malaysia dialling code, 60.

Whether you begin with the landline exit code or the mobile + symbol, the combined sequence is the international dialling code for Malaysia.

• Mobile full start: +60

Example: if the Malaysian mobile number is 012 345 6789, you'd dial +60 12 345 6789.

• Landline full start: 00 60

Example: if the Malaysian number is 03 2167 1234, you'd dial 00 60 3 2167 1234.

Understanding this format is the first step in mastering the correct Malaysian phone number format.

How to call a Malaysian phone number from the UK

Once you've entered the country code, the rest of the sequence is easy — you just need to dial the Malaysian phone number. But there’s one important thing to remember: Malaysian phone numbers usually start with a 0 when you're calling from within Malaysia. But if you're calling from the UK or any other country, you don’t use this 0. You leave it out and just dial the rest of the number. When calling internationally, the country code replaces it.

The general format you need to follow is:

• UK exit code or +
• Malaysia country code: 60
• Full Malaysian number (without the initial 0)

Dialling Malaysian mobile numbers

Malaysian mobile numbers are generally 10 digits long and typically start with a service provider prefix, which is usually 01.

Example: 012 345 6789.

However, as mentioned above, you need to drop the 0 and replace it with +60 when you're calling from the UK.

Example: +60 12 345 6789.

Dialling Malaysian landlines: regional area codes explained

Malaysian landline numbers typically include a one, 2, or 3-digit area code, followed by a local number.

For example, if your contact in Kuala Lumpur provides the landline number 03 2167 1234, the international dialling code would be +60 3 2167 1234.

How to save your Malaysian contacts

For seamless calling and messaging, especially when you're travelling or using apps, you should always save your Malaysian contacts in the international format.

Always save the contact starting with the + symbol and the country code.

• Correct mobile save: +60 12 345 6789
• Correct landline save: +60 3 2167 1234

This standard format ensures that apps and services correctly interpret the number, removing any need to manually adjust the format or exit code, regardless of your current location.

Why didn't my call to Malaysia work?

Common dialling mistakes

If you tried to call a Malaysian contact and your call failed, you've most likely made a common dialling mistake. Even with the Malaysian country code entered correctly, other small mistakes in the sequence can stop your call from going to plan.

Mistake 1: forgetting to drop the domestic 0

This is the most common error for international calls to Malaysia. The domestic trunk code, 0, is only used for local calls within Malaysia. When you dial the country code, it should replace the 0, so make sure you're not leaving it in.

Mistake 2: incorrect digit count after the country code

Malaysian numbers vary in length, often being 8 or 9 digits after the +60 code. Using too many or too few digits will result in a connection failure. Landline numbers in major cities like Kuala Lumpur are typically 8 digits long after the area code, while mobile numbers are generally 9 digits long after the 1 prefix.

Mistake 3: the hidden costs of international calling

Even if your call connects, you might be shocked at how much it costs. If you're using a standard UK phone plan, calling Malaysia can incur significant per-minute charges.

Make sure you check your network provider's specific international calling rates to Malaysia before you dial. This is especially important if you're travelling there from the UK. Relying on UK network roaming for calls and data in Malaysia is notoriously expensive, which leads many customers to seek alternatives. Our Malaysia eSIM data plan offers a digital solution, allowing you to instantly buy data plans in-app and bypass those costly traditional roaming fees.

What's the best time to call Malaysia?

Malaysia follows Malaysia Standard Time (MST), which is UTC+8. This means there's a big time difference, so it's important to plan ahead to avoid calling in the middle of the night.

Navigating the Malaysian time zone

Malaysia is always significantly ahead of the UK.

• During UK Winter (GMT): Malaysia is 8 hours ahead
• During UK Summer (BST): Malaysia is 7 hours ahead

When to call for business vs personal reasons

• Personal calls: the best time for people in the UK to call friends and family is usually in the morning (9–11am GMT/BST). This is late afternoon in Malaysia (5–7pm MST), and means you'd catch them after their workday and before their evening begins.
• Business calls: for professional communication, you should aim for early morning in the UK (8am GMT/BST). This is the afternoon in Malaysia (4pm MST), allowing time for a conversation during overlapping business hours.

Other Malaysian phone number types (toll-free and premium)

It's useful to know about 2 other types of numbers you might encounter:

• Toll-free numbers (1800): these are primarily for business use within Malaysia and are free to call from Malaysian landlines. However, calling them internationally using the international dialling code for Malaysia will likely incur charges or lead to connection issues.
• Premium rate numbers (e.g. 1300): these usually charge higher rates and may not be accessible from outside Malaysia.

Staying connected internationally: our eSIM for Malaysian travel

If you're heading to Malaysia, managing your data and communication should be as easy as knowing the international code. Excessive data roaming charges are a thing of the past when you travel with us.

Eliminating roaming fees with a prepaid eSIM

Traditional roaming is expensive and unpredictable, and buying a local SIM card in Malaysia is inconvenient and involves physical insertion. Our eSIMs offer a digital solution that solves both problems.

A Revolut eSIM allows you to buy prepaid data packages in-app, without needing to buy a physical SIM card. This ensures you have high-speed data access the moment you land, eliminating the stress of searching for WiFi or a local mobile shop.

You can instantly top up your data plan in-app, keeping you connected for maps, messaging, and internet calling services without steep international charges.

Benefits beyond calling: data plans for Malaysian travel

We offer flexible eSIM data plans that suit different travel durations and needs.

• Our global eSIM: for those travelling through multiple countries (e.g. Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore), an Asian or even a global eSIM plan might offer the most flexibility
• Our eSIM for Malaysia: if you're only planning on exploring Malaysia, a regional eSIM plan may be more cost-effective

Sending and managing money in Malaysia from the UK

Managing money across borders can be challenging, especially for travellers and those dealing with the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).

International money transfers: sending MYR seamlessly

If you need to send money to a Malaysian bank account for rent, services, or family support, we simplify the process with international transfers. You can execute transfers directly from your Revolut account, with competitive exchange rates for the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). This helps you easily manage your money across borders, ensuring your recipient receives it from you as efficiently as possible.

Exchanging and spending: using your Revolut card in Malaysia

While you're travelling, it's important to make sure you're getting the best exchange rate on the Malaysian Ringgit so you can stick to your budget. Using a Revolut card can help you do this effectively.

You can send and exchange MYR at competitive exchange rates in-app. When you spend using your card in Malaysia, we automatically use the best available rate, so you aren't hit with the excessive fees that traditional banks often charge for foreign transactions.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What's the difference between +60 and 0060?

Both +60 and 0060 represent the country code of Malaysia. The difference is in how you dial them: 00 is the international exit code specifically for a UK landline, while the + symbol is the universal international access code used on mobile phones. For ease, always use +60 on a mobile phone.

Can I text a Malaysian phone number using +60?

Yes. Text messaging follows the same format as voice calls. You must begin the number with +60 and ensure the domestic 0 is dropped from the Malaysian mobile number (e.g. +60 12 345 6789).

What about calling East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak)?

The dialling format for East Malaysia is the same. You must use the +60 country code, followed by the specific area code and the local number.

How to get started with Revolut

Ready to simplify your international travel and spending? Here's how you can use Revolut to stay connected and manage your money across the globe:

1. Sign up: open your account in minutes through the app
2. Order your card: get your physical card and instantly access global spending power with competitive exchange rates
3. Activate your eSIM: purchase and install your eSIM digitally to get data in Malaysia and over 100 countries, helping you avoid unexpected roaming charges
4. Send money seamlessly: make fast, cost-effective international transfers in MYR and many other currencies in-app

You can learn more about how Revolut is helping customers connect with our other regional calling guides, such as the calling code for Canada, the calling code for France, and the calling code for India.

Other guides are available for the calling code for Ireland, the calling code for Australia, the calling code for Mexico, the calling code for Nigeria, the calling code for UK, and the calling code for US.

The information provided is accurate as of 10 October 2025.

Exchange fees, remittance fees, fair usage limits, and T&Cs apply.