Fax Country Codes: Complete List for International Faxing

By Michael Chen · Published October 4, 2024 · Updated March 16, 2026 · 9 min read

Quick Answer: Fax country codes are identical to telephone country codes. Use the format +[Country Code] [Local Number] — for example, +44 20 7123 4567 for the UK. See the full list below.

Sending a fax internationally starts with one critical detail: the country code. Get it wrong and your document ends up nowhere. Get it right and your fax arrives in seconds, whether it's going to London, Tokyo, or São Paulo.

Fax country codes follow the ITU E.164 standard — the same numbering system used for international phone calls. That means if you know a country's phone code, you already know its fax code.

This article lists every major country code organized by region, explains the correct format for international fax numbers, and covers the "drop the zero" rule that trips up most first-time international faxers.

How Fax Country Codes Work

Every country (or territory) has a unique 1- to 3-digit code assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). These codes are grouped into 9 geographic zones:

The zone number is always the first digit of the country code. For example, Germany's code is +49 — the 4 tells you it's in the European zone.

The E.164 Format

When faxing internationally with an online service like mFax.to, always use the E.164 format:

+[Country Code] [Area/City Code] [Local Number]

Example: To fax Berlin, Germany → +49 30 1234 5678

If you're using a physical fax machine in the US, you'd replace the + with the exit code 011: 011 49 30 1234 5678. But with online fax services, the + is all you need.

The "Drop the Zero" Rule

This is the single most common mistake in international faxing.

In many countries, local fax and phone numbers begin with a leading zero (called a "trunk prefix"). When you add the country code, you must remove that zero.

Countries where the "drop the zero" rule applies: UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and most of Africa and Southeast Asia.

Complete Country Code List

Below are the most commonly used fax country codes, organized by region. All codes follow the ITU E.164 standard.

North America & Caribbean

Europe

Asia & Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Russia & Central Asia

How to Format an International Fax Number

Follow these four steps every time:

1. Start with + — this replaces any exit code (011, 00, etc.)
2. Add the country code — look it up in the tables above
3. Drop the leading zero — if the local number starts with 0, remove it (except Italy)
4. Add the local number — include the city/area code and subscriber number

Quick Examples

Common Formatting Mistakes

These errors cause most international fax failures:

• Leaving the leading zero in — +44 020 7123... is wrong. Drop the 0: +44 20 7123...
• Using 011 with an online service — online fax services use the + prefix, not the US exit code. If you type 011 44 20... into mFax.to, it won't route correctly
• Forgetting the country code entirely — a bare number like 20 7123 4567 has no routing information. Always include the + and country code
• Omitting the area code — some countries (like Singapore, +65) don't use area codes, but most do. Include it
• Adding the Italian zero AND dropping it — Italy keeps the leading zero. +39 6... will fail; +39 06... is correct

Physical Fax Machine vs. Online Fax

If you're still using a physical fax machine, the dialing format is slightly different depending on your country:

With mFax.to, you never need to know your country's exit code. The + format works from anywhere in the world.

For a deeper dive into international fax costs and connection tips, see our complete guide to international faxing.

Tips for Successful International Faxes

• Confirm the number with the recipient — ask them for their fax number in international format (+XX). This eliminates guesswork
• Check the time zone — physical fax machines may be turned off outside business hours. If your fax fails, try sending during the recipient's working hours. See our article on how long a fax takes for transmission timing details
• Use PDF format — PDFs preserve formatting across different paper sizes (US Letter vs. A4). This matters when faxing between the US and countries that use A4 paper
• Add a cover sheet — international faxes benefit from a clear cover page with sender and recipient details. Generate one free with our fax cover sheet generator
• Keep it under 20 pages — international fax connections are more prone to timeouts on very long documents. For large files, split into multiple transmissions

Send an International Fax Now

You have the country code. You know the format. The only thing left is sending.

Open mFax.to, upload your document, enter the recipient's number with the + country code prefix, and hit send. We handle the routing across 100+ countries — no exit codes, no dialing rules to memorize, no fax machine required.

For step-by-step instructions, see our guides on how to send a fax and how to fax from your phone.