The 852 country code belongs to Hong Kong. Whether you're calling for business or reaching family in Hong Kong, the +852 prefix connects you to the territory's 7.5 million residents.
Quick Answer: The country code +852 is for Hong Kong. All Hong Kong phone numbers are 8 digits with no area codes. A landline looks like
+852 2345 6789and a mobile like+852 9123 4567.
How to Call Hong Kong: Quick Reference
Hong Kong's phone system is one of the simplest in the world. There are no area codes and no trunk prefix. Just dial +852 followed by the 8-digit number.
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +852 [8-digit number] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-852-[8-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-852-[8-digit number] |
| Australia | 0011-852-[8-digit number] |
| Mainland China | 00-852-[8-digit number] |
| Singapore | +852 [8-digit number] |
Hong Kong is a major international business hub. Many multinational companies have their Asia-Pacific headquarters there, and calls between Hong Kong and mainland China, the US, and the UK are common.
Understanding Hong Kong Phone Numbers
Hong Kong has one of the simplest phone systems in the world. There are no area codes, no trunk prefixes, and no distinction in format between mobile and landline numbers. Every number is exactly 8 digits after +852.
Mobile Numbers
Hong Kong mobile numbers are 8 digits:
- Length: Always 8 digits after +852.
- Starting Digits: Mobile numbers start with 5, 6, 7, or 9.
- Example:
+852 9123 4567or+852 6234 5678. - No trunk prefix: The number is the same whether dialed locally or internationally (just add +852).
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Hong Kong landlines are also 8 digits with no area codes:
- Length: Always 8 digits after +852.
- Starting Digits: Landlines start with 2 or 3.
- Example:
+852 2345 6789or+852 3456 7890. - No area codes: Hong Kong is small enough that no regional codes are needed.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +852 number is mobile or landline by its first digit:
- Starts with 2 or 3: A landline number.
- Starts with 5, 6, 7, or 9: A mobile number.
- Starts with 8: Could be either a personal numbering service or a special service number.
This matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers may differ, though the difference for Hong Kong is often smaller than for other countries.
Dialing Examples
Calling Hong Kong is straightforward since every number follows the same 8-digit format:
Example 1: Calling a Hong Kong Landline from the US
- Hong Kong Number: 2345 6789
- From a US Mobile:
+852 2345 6789 - From a US Landline:
011 852 2345 6789
Example 2: Calling a Hong Kong Mobile from the US
- Hong Kong Number: 9123 4567
- From a US Mobile:
+852 9123 4567 - From a US Landline:
011 852 9123 4567
Example 3: Calling from the UK
- Hong Kong Number: 6789 0123
- From the UK:
00 852 6789 0123
Example 4: Calling from Mainland China
- Hong Kong Number: 2345 6789
- From Mainland China:
00 852 2345 6789
Note that calling Hong Kong from mainland China is an international call, even though Hong Kong is part of China. The two territories have separate phone systems.
Hong Kong vs. China vs. Macau: Which Code to Use
This is a common source of confusion. Despite being part of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macau each have their own country codes:
| Territory | Country Code | Number Format |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | +852 | 8 digits, no area codes |
| Mainland China | +86 | 11 digits (mobile) or area code + number (landline) |
| Macau | +853 | 8 digits, no area codes |
You cannot reach a Hong Kong number by dialing +86, and you cannot reach a mainland China number by dialing +852. They are completely separate systems.
Best Times to Call Hong Kong
Hong Kong operates on Hong Kong Time (HKT), which is UTC+8 year-round. Hong Kong does not observe daylight saving time.
Here's how Hong Kong's time relates to other major time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Hong Kong 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Hong Kong is 13 hours ahead | 8 PM - 5 AM EST (night before) |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Hong Kong is 12 hours ahead | 9 PM - 6 AM EDT (night before) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Hong Kong is 16 hours ahead | 5 PM - 2 AM PST (night before) |
| UK (GMT) | Hong Kong is 8 hours ahead | 1 AM - 10 AM GMT |
| Australia (AEDT) | Hong Kong is 3 hours behind | 12 PM - 9 PM AEDT |
Tip: Hong Kong business culture often runs late. Many offices operate until 7 PM or later. Evening calls from the US East Coast (around 8-9 PM) catch the end of the Hong Kong workday.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Hong Kong's simple numbering system means fewer things can go wrong, but these mistakes still happen:
- Using +86 instead of +852: Hong Kong and mainland China have separate country codes. Using +86 for a Hong Kong number will not work.
- Adding a trunk prefix: Hong Kong has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number. Dial +852 followed directly by the 8 digits.
- Wrong digit count: All Hong Kong numbers are exactly 8 digits after +852. If you have more or fewer digits, check the number.
- Confusing +852 and +853: +852 is Hong Kong, +853 is Macau. One digit difference.
Cheapest Ways to Call +852 Numbers
International calls to Hong Kong don't have to be expensive. While traditional carriers can charge $1-$4 per minute, better options exist:
- VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Hong Kong. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is widely used in Hong Kong for free voice and video calls over data. WeChat is also popular, especially for calls to mainland China contacts.
- International Calling Plans: Some carriers include Hong Kong in their international bundles. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +852 country code?
The +852 country code is for Hong Kong (officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China). Any call from a number starting with +852 originates from Hong Kong.
How many digits is a Hong Kong phone number?
All Hong Kong phone numbers are 8 digits after the +852 country code. There are no area codes. Both mobile and landline numbers follow the same 8-digit format.
Does Hong Kong have area codes?
No. Hong Kong uses a flat numbering system with no area codes and no trunk prefix. Every number is 8 digits after +852.
How do I call Hong Kong from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +852 followed by the 8-digit Hong Kong number. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 852, then the 8-digit number.
What time should I call Hong Kong from the US?
Hong Kong is on UTC+8 year-round, 13 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (EST). To reach Hong Kong business hours (9 AM-6 PM), call between 8 PM and 5 AM EST.
Is +852 Hong Kong or China?
+852 is the country code for Hong Kong. Mainland China uses +86. They are separate phone systems.
What is the difference between +852 and +86?
+852 is for Hong Kong and +86 is for mainland China. Despite both being part of China, they have completely separate telephone networks. You cannot reach a Hong Kong number with +86 or vice versa. Macau uses +853.
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