Area Code 24 – Muscat

The +968 24 prefix is a geographic code assigned to Muscat, the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. As the political, economic, and cultural heart of the country, Muscat is home to government ministries, major corporations, and a diverse expatriate community. The 24 prefix covers the central and eastern parts of the Greater Muscat area, including districts such as Ruwi, Qurum, and parts of the airport corridor, though some newer developments may fall under other codes.

Dialing Rules for +968 24

Oman uses an open dialing plan for local calls, but the format has evolved with the introduction of mobile numbers. For landlines, the national significant number is 8 digits, with the first two digits representing the area code. The 24 prefix is part of the 8-digit number, so a full Muscat landline number looks like this: 24 XXXXXX (where X is a digit).

• Local calls within Oman: Dial the 8-digit number directly, e.g., 24 123456. No trunk prefix is needed.
• Calls from a mobile phone in Oman: Same as local – dial 24 123456.
• International calls from abroad: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 or +), then Oman's country code 968, followed by the 8-digit number. Example: +968 24 123456.
• Calls from Oman to another country: Dial 00, then the country code, area code, and local number.

Who Uses the 24 Prefix?

The 24 prefix is primarily used by government offices, banks, embassies, and established businesses that have had landlines for years. It is also used by residential customers in older neighborhoods. Many hotels and large companies in the central business district rely on 24 numbers. However, with the rise of VoIP and mobile phones, the prefix is not exclusively tied to a physical location; some businesses may use it for virtual numbers.

Dialing Examples

• To call a landline in Muscat from within Oman: 24 567890
• To call the same number from the United States: 011 968 24 567890
• To call from the United Kingdom: 00 968 24 567890
• To call from a mobile phone in Oman: 24 567890

When dialing from abroad, always drop any leading zero that might appear in local listings (though for 24, there is no leading zero). Ensure you have the correct country code (+968) and the full 8-digit number. For example, if a local number is written as 24 123456, the international format is +968 24 123456.

Understanding these dialing rules helps ensure you connect seamlessly with businesses and residents in Muscat. Whether you are scheduling a meeting with a government agency or contacting a local supplier, using the correct format is essential.