Chad Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Learn how to call Chad from anywhere in the world, validate Chad phone numbers, and integrate Chad's telecommunications into your applications. This comprehensive guide covers country code +235, international dialing, mobile and landline formats, emergency services, carrier codes, and validation techniques.

Chad Country Code: +235 (ITU E.164 standard)

Number Format:

• Domestic: yy yy xx xx (8 digits)
• International: +235 yy yy xx xx
• Landlines: Start with 22
• Mobile: Start with 6, 7, or 9
• Special Services: Range 11–14

Chad Emergency Numbers: 112, 117, 118

Chad's emergency services operate 24/7. Save these numbers when building applications that need emergency service access.

Emergency Services (11X Series)

• 112: General emergency dispatch (French and Arabic) – 5–10 minute response time in urban areas
• 117: Police emergency – connects to nearest station
• 118: Fire department – coordinates with medical services

Implementation Tip: Pre-populate emergency contacts in your app with recognizable labels like "Chad Emergency – 112" for quick access.

Information and Support Services (12X–14X Series)

Chad provides information and support services through dedicated numbers:

• Directory and Time Services:
  • 121: Directory Assistance (6:00–22:00 WAT)
  • 123: Automated time information (24/7)
• Customer Support:
  • 141: General customer service (8:00–20:00 WAT daily)

Note: Chad uses West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1).

How to Make International Calls from Chad

Chad uses two international prefixes: 00 (primary) and 16 (alternative). Both work identically for dialing international numbers.

Dialing Process

1. Dial international prefix: 00 or 16
2. Dial country code (e.g., 33 for France)
3. Dial area code – drop leading zero if present (e.g., Paris 1 not 01)
4. Dial local number

Examples:

• France (Paris landline): 00 33 1 XX XX XX XX
• USA (mobile): 00 1 XXX XXX XXXX
• UK (London): 00 44 20 XXXX XXXX

Automated Dialing: When using prefix 16, set connection timeout to 45–60 seconds (15–20 seconds longer than standard 00 prefix).

Carrier-Specific Service Codes

Chad's major carriers offer USSD codes for account management. USSD sessions timeout after 180 seconds of inactivity.

Carrier USSD Codes

Airtel Chad (52.7% market share):

*137# — Check balance
*123# — Access voicemail
*111# — Check data balance

Moov Africa Chad (47.3% market share):

*100# — Account management
*125# — Voicemail setup
*133# — View data plans

Sotel Tchad (Landline):

124 — Customer care (24/7)
126 — Technical support (24/7)

Chad Phone Number Validation (Regex Patterns)

Follow these guidelines to validate and handle Chad phone numbers in your application.

Validation Patterns

Validate Chad phone numbers using these regex patterns:

const validationPatterns = {
  landline: /^22\d{6}$/,
  mobile: /^[679]\d{7}$/,
  emergency: /^1[1-4]\d{1,4}$/,
  international: /^\+235[679]\d{7}$/  // International format
};

function normalizeChadNumber(input) {
  // Remove spaces, dashes, parentheses
  let cleaned = input.replace(/[\s\-\(\)]/g, '');

  // Convert international format to local
  if (cleaned.startsWith('+235')) {
    return cleaned.substring(4);
  }
  if (cleaned.startsWith('00235')) {
    return cleaned.substring(5);
  }
  return cleaned;
}

function validateChadPhoneNumber(number, type = 'auto') {
  const normalized = normalizeChadNumber(number);

  if (type === 'auto') {
    // Auto-detect type
    if (/^22/.test(normalized)) type = 'landline';
    else if (/^[679]/.test(normalized)) type = 'mobile';
    else if (/^1[1-4]/.test(normalized)) type = 'emergency';
  }

  const isValid = validationPatterns[type]?.test(normalized);

  return {
    valid: isValid,
    type: isValid ? type : null,
    normalized: isValid ? normalized : null,
    formatted: isValid ? formatChadNumber(normalized, type) : null
  };
}

function formatChadNumber(number, type) {
  if (type === 'emergency') return number;
  // Format as yy yy xx xx
  return number.replace(/(\d{2})(\d{2})(\d{2})(\d{2})/, '$1 $2 $3 $4');
}

// Example usage:
console.log(validateChadPhoneNumber('22 55 51 23'));
// { valid: true, type: 'landline', normalized: '22555123', formatted: '22 55 51 23' }

console.log(validateChadPhoneNumber('+235 66 12 34 567'));
// { valid: true, type: 'mobile', normalized: '661234567', formatted: '66 12 34 567' }

console.log(validateChadPhoneNumber('112'));
// { valid: true, type: 'emergency', normalized: '112', formatted: '112' }

Error Messages:

const errorMessages = {
  landline: 'Enter a valid Chad landline number starting with 22 (8 digits total)',
  mobile: 'Enter a valid Chad mobile number starting with 6, 7, or 9 (8 digits total)',
  emergency: 'Emergency numbers range from 11X to 14X',
  invalid: 'Enter a valid Chad phone number (+235 format supported)'
};

Common Implementation Challenges

1. International Prefix Handling

Normalize both 00 and 16 prefixes internally:

function normalizeInternationalPrefix(number) {
  return number.replace(/^16/, '00');
}

2. Emergency Services Priority Routing

Detect emergency numbers and bypass standard validation delays:

function isEmergencyNumber(number) {
  return /^1[1-4]/.test(normalizeChadNumber(number));
}

if (isEmergencyNumber(dialedNumber)) {
  // Skip non-critical validation
  // Use priority network routing
  placeEmergencyCall(dialedNumber);
}

3. Network Reliability

Chad's network has intermittent connectivity. Implement retry logic with exponential backoff:

async function sendSMS(number, message, maxRetries = 3) {
  for (let i = 0; i < maxRetries; i++) {
    try {
      await api.sendSMS(number, message);
      return { success: true };
    } catch (error) {
      if (i === maxRetries - 1) throw error;
      await delay(Math.pow(2, i) * 1000);  // 1s, 2s, 4s
    }
  }
}

Network Infrastructure Considerations

Chad's network infrastructure is developing, with varying coverage across regions. Since gaining international fiber access in 2012, the national backbone remains underdeveloped, affecting data speeds and reliability.

Design Recommendations:

• Implement offline-first architecture with local data caching
• Queue messages for sending when connectivity returns
• Set generous timeout values (45–60 seconds for API calls)
• Provide clear offline/online status indicators to users

Major Mobile Operators (Q2 2025)

Carrier Detection:

function detectCarrier(number) {
  const normalized = normalizeChadNumber(number);
  if (/^6[67]/.test(normalized)) return 'Airtel';
  if (/^77/.test(normalized)) return 'Airtel';
  if (/^9[0-3]/.test(normalized)) return 'Moov Africa';
  if (/^9[67]/.test(normalized)) return 'Sotel Tchad';
  return 'Unknown';
}

Recent Developments (2025): In August 2025, the government issued an ultimatum to Airtel and Moov Africa over network quality issues (frequent outages, unstable Internet, high tariffs). Airtel responded by announcing a 50 billion CFA francs ($89.68 million) infrastructure investment by June 2026.

Historical Evolution and Future Outlook

Key Milestones

• 2008: Mobile services launched, transforming Chad's telecommunications
• 2010: Current 8-digit numbering system implemented (replaced 6-digit format)
• 2012: International fiber bandwidth access established
• 2015: Emergency services modernization (11X series standardized)
• 2020: Digital transformation initiative launched
• 2024: ARCEP leadership transition – Haliki Choua Mahamat appointed Director General (December)
• 2025:
  • Starlink registration requirement implemented (September)
  • Solar energy adoption initiative for telecom operators
  • Government quality ultimatum issued to Airtel and Moov Africa (August)

Regulatory Framework

The Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et de la Poste (ARCEP) enforces Quality of Service (QoS) requirements for all operators:

• Minimum network availability: 95% uptime
• Maximum call drop rate: 2% of calls
• Voice quality: Mean Opinion Score (MOS) ≥ 3.5
• Data speeds: Minimum 2 Mbps for 3G, 10 Mbps for 4G

Visit the ARCEP website for current regulations and technical specifications.

Future Outlook

Expected developments in Chad's telecommunications:

• Infrastructure Investment (2025–2026): Airtel's 50 billion CFA francs upgrade program
• Satellite Internet Expansion: Starlink regulatory framework now established
• 5G Planning: No official timeline yet; focus remains on improving 4G coverage
• Solar-Powered Infrastructure: ARCEP promoting renewable energy to address electricity reliability
• Digital Services Growth: Mobile money and fintech integration expanding

Developer Impact: Plan for gradual infrastructure improvements. Network reliability will remain variable through 2026; design with offline-first principles.

Related Resources: For similar African telecommunications guides, see our resources on Nigeria phone numbers, Kenya phone numbers, and South Africa phone numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the country code for Chad? (235 country code)

The country code for Chad is +235 (or 00235), assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the E.164 standard. When calling Chad from the USA, dial 011-235 followed by the 8-digit local number. From most other countries, dial 00-235 then the local number. The complete international format is +235 yy yy xx xx.

What phone number format does Chad use?

Chad uses an 8-digit National Significant Number (NSN) format. Domestic calls are formatted as yy yy xx xx, while international calls follow +235 yy yy xx xx. Landlines start with 22, mobile numbers start with 6, 7, or 9, and special services use the 11–14 range.

What are the emergency numbers in Chad?

Chad's main emergency numbers are 112 (general emergency services), 117 (police emergency), and 118 (fire department). The 112 number serves as a central dispatch for all emergencies, offering services in French and Arabic with an average urban response time of 5–10 minutes. All emergency services operate 24/7 with redundant systems to ensure constant availability.

How do you validate Chad phone numbers in code?

Use regex patterns to validate Chad phone numbers: landlines match ^22\d{6}$ (starts with 22, followed by 6 digits), mobile numbers match ^[679]\d{7}$ (starts with 6, 7, or 9, followed by 7 digits), and emergency services match ^1[1-4]\d{1,4}$. Also validate international format with ^\+235[679]\d{7}$ for E.164 compliance. Implement normalization to handle spaces, dashes, and international prefixes.

Which mobile operators serve Chad in 2025?

As of Q2 2025, Chad's mobile market is dominated by Airtel Chad (52.7% market share) and Moov Africa Chad (47.3% market share). Sotel Tchad, the national telco, operates Salam Mobile but focuses primarily on voice services using GPRS and EDGE technologies. In August 2025, the government issued an ultimatum to Airtel and Moov Africa over network quality issues, prompting Airtel to announce a 50 billion CFA francs ($89.68 million) infrastructure investment by June 2026.

How to dial international calls from Chad?

To dial international from Chad, use exit code 00 or 16, then the country code. For example, to call the USA from Chad: dial 00-1-XXX-XXX-XXXX. To call France from Chad: dial 00-33-1-XX-XX-XX-XX (drop the leading zero from the French area code). When using the alternative prefix (16), allow slightly longer connection time (45–60 seconds), especially for automated dialing applications.

What are the USSD codes for Airtel Chad?

Airtel Chad's main service codes are: *137# for balance check, *123# for voicemail access, and *111# for data balance inquiry. These USSD codes allow subscribers to manage their accounts, check balances, and configure services directly from their mobile devices without internet connectivity.

What are the USSD codes for Moov Africa Chad?

Moov Africa Chad service codes include: *100# for account management, *125# for voicemail setup, and *133# to view data plans. These USSD codes provide subscribers with self-service options for managing their mobile accounts.

What is ARCEP Chad and what does it regulate?

The Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et de la Poste (ARCEP) is Chad's telecommunications regulatory authority. As of December 2024, it's led by Director General Haliki Choua Mahamat. ARCEP implements Quality of Service (QoS) requirements for all operators, including network availability (95% uptime), call drop rates (maximum 2%), voice quality (MOS ≥ 3.5), and data speeds (minimum 2 Mbps for 3G, 10 Mbps for 4G). In September 2025, ARCEP mandated Starlink user registration and launched initiatives promoting solar energy adoption by telecom operators. Visit https://arcep.td/ for current regulations.

What network infrastructure challenges exist in Chad?

Chad's network infrastructure is still developing, with varying coverage and quality across regions. While Chad gained international fiber bandwidth access in 2012, the national backbone remains underdeveloped, impacting data speeds and reliability. As of 2025, persistent issues include frequent outages, unstable Internet, and high tariffs relative to service quality. ARCEP is pushing operators to adopt solar energy to address unreliable electricity infrastructure challenges.

What are Chad's directory and customer service numbers?

Chad offers several information and support services: 121 for directory assistance (available 6:00–22:00 WAT), 123 for automated time information (24/7), and 141 for general customer service (8:00–20:00 WAT daily). Sotel Tchad provides 24/7 landline support through 124 (customer care) and 126 (technical support). These services are valuable for applications requiring directory assistance or customer support integration.

How do you detect which carrier a Chad phone number belongs to?

Detect carrier by checking number prefixes: Airtel Chad uses 66, 67, and 77; Moov Africa Chad uses 90, 91, 92, and 93; Sotel Tchad (Salam Mobile) uses 96 and 97. Implement carrier detection logic to optimize routing, display carrier-specific features, or estimate costs based on operator.

What timeout values should I use for Chad telecommunications?

Set generous timeout values for Chad applications: 45–60 seconds for API calls, 60 seconds for SMS delivery confirmation, and 45–60 seconds for international calls using the 16 prefix (15–20 seconds longer than the 00 prefix). USSD sessions automatically timeout after 180 seconds of inactivity. Implement retry logic with exponential backoff (1s, 2s, 4s delays) to handle intermittent connectivity.