The +686 country code is for Kiribati (pronounced "KIR-ih-bass"), a Pacific island nation of 33 atolls and one raised coral island spread across 3.5 million square kilometers of ocean. Despite that vast ocean area, the total land mass is only about 811 square kilometers, and around 120,000 people live here. Most of the population is on Tarawa atoll, where the capital South Tarawa sits. Kiribati is one of the most remote and geographically dispersed countries on Earth, straddling the equator and the International Date Line.
Quick answer: Kiribati's country code is +686. Phone numbers are 8 digits with no area codes. Landlines start with 2 or 3. Mobiles start with 7 or 9. There is no trunk prefix — dial the 8-digit number directly after +686.
How to call Kiribati: quick reference
Kiribati uses 8-digit numbers with no area codes or trunk prefix. Dial +686 followed by the 8-digit local number.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| Australia | 0011-686-[local number] |
| New Zealand | 00-686-[local number] |
| US/Canada mobile | +686 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-686-[local number] |
| Fiji | 00-686-[local number] |
Understanding Kiribati phone numbers
Kiribati phone numbers are 8 digits. The first digit indicates whether the number is a landline or mobile.
Landline numbers
Landlines typically start with 2 or 3, followed by 7 digits. Most landlines are on South Tarawa. Outer islands have very limited fixed-line service, and some atolls have no landline connections at all.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 7 or 9, followed by 7 digits. Mobile service has expanded in recent years but remains limited on outer islands. On South Tarawa, mobile coverage is available but can be congested during peak hours.
Mobile carriers in Kiribati
ATHKL (Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Kiribati Limited)
The sole telecom provider in Kiribati. ATHKL is a subsidiary of Fiji's ATH group and operates both the fixed-line and mobile networks under the "Kiribati Telecom" brand. It provides 3G/4G mobile service on South Tarawa and limited service on some outer islands. There is no competing carrier, so ATHKL is the only option for both landline and mobile.
Internet and connectivity
Kiribati connected to the East Micronesia Cable in recent years, which improved internet speeds on South Tarawa compared to the previous satellite-only connections. However, outer islands still rely on satellite for any connectivity, and bandwidth is expensive and limited.
Don't confuse +686 with nearby codes
| Code | Country | Why it's confused |
|---|---|---|
| +685 | Samoa | One digit apart, both Pacific island nations |
| +688 | Tuvalu | Neighboring Pacific nation, code differs by 2 digits |
| +692 | Marshall Islands | Both Micronesian atoll nations with 68x/69x codes |
Kiribati sits in the 68x code block alongside several other Pacific nations. +685 is Samoa, +686 is Kiribati, +687 is New Caledonia, +688 is Tuvalu. One wrong digit and you'll reach a different country entirely.
Time zone considerations
Kiribati is the only country that spans three time zones, and it includes the first place on Earth to see each new day:
| Island group | Time zone | UTC offset |
|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Islands (Tarawa) | GILT | UTC+12 |
| Phoenix Islands | PHOT | UTC+13 |
| Line Islands (Kiritimati) | LINT | UTC+14 |
UTC+14 means the Line Islands are 19 hours ahead of New York and a full day ahead of Hawaii. Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Line Islands was the first inhabited place to enter the year 2000.
| Your time zone | Time on Tarawa (UTC+12) | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney (AEDT, UTC+11) | +1 hour | 9 AM - 9 PM your time |
| Auckland (NZDT, UTC+13) | -1 hour | 9 AM - 9 PM your time |
| Fiji (FJT, UTC+12) | Same time | 9 AM - 9 PM your time |
| London (GMT, UTC+0) | +12 hours | Early morning your time |
| New York (EST, UTC-5) | +17 hours | Late afternoon your time |
Communication in Kiribati
Business hours and culture
Business hours on South Tarawa are roughly 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The pace is slow and informal. I-Kiribati (the people of Kiribati) communicate primarily in Gilbertese, with English used in government and some business contexts. Getting through to a specific person can take patience — phone systems can be unreliable, and people may not always be near a working phone.
Network quality
Call quality on South Tarawa is decent when the network isn't congested. The East Micronesia Cable has improved things, but capacity is limited and the system can slow during busy periods. Outer islands have much worse connectivity. Some atolls have no mobile coverage at all, and satellite phone is the only option. International calls from Kiribati have noticeable latency.
Messaging habits
Facebook is overwhelmingly the dominant platform in Kiribati. Most people with internet access use Facebook Messenger for personal communication. WhatsApp has some presence but is less common. On outer islands without data service, phone calls and SMS remain the only options.
The Kiribati diaspora
Where I-Kiribati live abroad
The I-Kiribati diaspora is small compared to other Pacific nations. There are communities in New Zealand (which has a labor mobility scheme), Australia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. Some I-Kiribati work as seafarers on international shipping vessels, which takes them far from home for months at a time. As climate change threatens the low-lying atolls (most are less than 2 meters above sea level), migration to New Zealand and Fiji has increased.
Why they call
Calls home tend to be infrequent and short due to the high cost of telecommunications in Kiribati. When they happen, they're usually for family news, health updates, or coordinating financial support. Te Mauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabomoa (health, peace, and prosperity) greetings can take up a good portion of the call. Christmas and Independence Day (July 12) are common occasions for calls. Seafarers calling from ports around the world may use whatever international calling option is available at the port.
Dialing examples
Calling a Tarawa landline from Australia
To reach a South Tarawa landline like 28 123 456, dial: 0011 686 28 123 456. From a mobile, you can also use +686 28 123 456.
Calling a Kiribati mobile from New Zealand
To call a mobile number like 73 456 789, dial: 00 686 73 456 789, or +686 73 456 789 from a mobile.
Calling a Kiribati mobile from the US
To call a Kiribati number like 91 234 567, dial: 011 686 91 234 567 from a US landline, or +686 91 234 567 from a mobile phone.
Calling Kiritimati (Christmas Island) from Fiji
To reach a number on Kiritimati like 81 234 567, dial: 00 686 81 234 567, or +686 81 234 567 from a mobile. Note that Kiritimati is in the Line Islands time zone (UTC+14), 2 hours ahead of Tarawa.
Common mistakes to avoid
Not knowing which time zone you're calling
Kiribati spans three time zones. If you're calling Tarawa (UTC+12), the Phoenix Islands (UTC+13), or the Line Islands (UTC+14), you need to know which group your contact is in. The difference between Tarawa and Kiritimati is 2 hours.
Expecting reliable connectivity on outer islands
Most of Kiribati's 33 atolls have limited or no phone service. If you can't reach someone on an outer island, it may simply be a coverage issue. People on these islands may only be reachable when they travel to South Tarawa or a location with mobile signal.
Confusing +686 (Kiribati) with +685 (Samoa)
These codes are one digit apart. +685 reaches Samoa, not Kiribati. Double-check before dialing.
Forgetting about the high call costs
Kiribati is one of the more expensive countries to call due to its remote location and limited telecom infrastructure. Rates of $3.50/min are typical. Keep calls brief or use messaging apps when data is available.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country code is +686?
+686 is the country code for Kiribati, a Pacific island nation of 33 atolls and one raised coral island spread across 3.5 million square kilometers of ocean.
How do you pronounce Kiribati?
Kiribati is pronounced "KIR-ih-bass." The "ti" in the Gilbertese language is pronounced as "s." The country was formerly known as the Gilbert Islands.
How many digits are in a Kiribati phone number?
Kiribati phone numbers have 8 digits. There are no area codes. The full international format is +686 followed by the 8-digit number.
What time zone is Kiribati in?
Kiribati spans three time zones: the Gilbert Islands (UTC+12), the Phoenix Islands (UTC+13), and the Line Islands (UTC+14). The Line Islands are the first place on Earth to see each new day.
How much does it cost to call Kiribati?
With CallSky, calls to Kiribati are $3.50/min on the Premium plan. Economy rates are not currently available due to Kiribati's remote location and limited telecom infrastructure.
Looking for other Pacific dialing guides? See Marshall Islands (+692), Nauru (+674), or browse all country codes.