The 86 country code belongs to China. Whether you're calling family in Beijing, conducting business with partners in Shanghai, or reaching friends anywhere in this vast nation, the +86 prefix connects you to over 1.4 billion people in the world's most populous country.
Quick Answer: The country code +86 is for mainland China. Chinese mobile numbers have 11 digits after +86. For example, a mobile number 138-1234-5678 would be dialed internationally as
+86 138 1234 5678.
How to Call China: Quick Reference
The dialing format for China varies depending on where you're calling from and what type of phone you're using. Here's a quick-reference table for countries with significant connections to China.
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +86 [number without leading 0] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-86-[number without leading 0] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-86-[number without leading 0] |
| Australia | 0011-86-[number without leading 0] |
| Japan | 010-86-[number without leading 0] |
| South Korea | 001-86-[number without leading 0] |
Important: China uses a trunk prefix (0) for domestic long-distance calls. When dialing from abroad, you must drop the leading 0 from landline area codes.
Understanding Chinese Phone Numbers
Chinese phone numbers have a specific structure that you need to understand for successful international calls. The key rules are simple once you know them.
Mobile Numbers
Chinese mobile numbers follow a consistent format:
- Length: Always 11 digits (no leading 0 needed for international calls).
- Starting Digits: Mobile numbers start with 1, followed by 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.
- Common Prefixes: 130-139, 150-159, 170-189, 190-199.
- Format: 1XX-XXXX-XXXX.
- Example:
+86 138 1234 5678.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Chinese landlines use area codes of varying lengths:
- Structure: 0 + area code + local number (domestic) or area code + local number (international).
- Major Cities: Beijing (10), Shanghai (21), and other major cities use 2-digit area codes.
- Other Areas: Smaller cities use 3-digit area codes (e.g., Shenzhen 755).
- Total Length: 10-12 digits including area code.
- Example: Beijing number 010-1234-5678 becomes
+86 10 1234 5678internationally.
China Area Codes Reference Table
China uses geographic area codes for landline numbers. Here are the area codes for major Chinese cities:
| City | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 10 | +86 10 XXXX XXXX |
| Shanghai | 21 | +86 21 XXXX XXXX |
| Guangzhou | 20 | +86 20 XXXX XXXX |
| Shenzhen | 755 | +86 755 XXXX XXXX |
| Chengdu | 28 | +86 28 XXXX XXXX |
| Hangzhou | 571 | +86 571 XXXX XXXX |
| Nanjing | 25 | +86 25 XXXX XXXX |
| Wuhan | 27 | +86 27 XXXX XXXX |
| Xi'an | 29 | +86 29 XXXX XXXX |
| Chongqing | 23 | +86 23 XXXX XXXX |
Note: Always drop the leading 0 from the area code when dialing internationally.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a Chinese number is mobile or landline by the prefix:
- Starts with 1 (11 digits): Always a mobile number.
- Starts with 0 + 2 digits (domestic): Landline in a major city.
- Starts with 0 + 3 digits (domestic): Landline in a smaller city.
- 400 or 800: Toll-free/business numbers.
This distinction matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers may differ with your service provider.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Chinese numbers from various locations:
Example 1: Calling a Beijing Landline from the US
- Chinese Number: 010-1234-5678 (Beijing area code 010)
- From a US Mobile:
+86 10 1234 5678 - From a US Landline:
011 86 10 1234 5678
Example 2: Calling a Chinese Mobile from the US
- Chinese Number: 138-1234-5678
- From a US Mobile:
+86 138 1234 5678 - From a US Landline:
011 86 138 1234 5678
Example 3: Calling a Shanghai Landline from the UK
- Chinese Number: 021-8765-4321 (Shanghai area code 021)
- From the UK:
00 86 21 8765 4321
Example 4: Calling from Australia
- Chinese Number: 186-1234-5678 (mobile)
- From Australia:
0011 86 186 1234 5678
Best Times to Call China
China operates on China Standard Time (CST), which is UTC+8 year-round. Despite spanning five geographical time zones, all of China uses a single time zone.
Here's how China's time relates to other major time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call China 9 AM - 5 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | China is 13 hours ahead | 8 PM - 4 AM EST (previous day) |
| US West Coast (PST) | China is 16 hours ahead | 5 PM - 1 AM PST (previous day) |
| UK (GMT) | China is 8 hours ahead | 1 AM - 9 AM GMT |
| Australia (AEDT) | China is 3 hours behind | 12 PM - 8 PM AEDT |
| Japan (JST) | China is 1 hour behind | 10 AM - 6 PM JST |
Tip: For US callers, evening calls in America connect during Chinese morning hours. Chinese business culture values relationships, so scheduling calls at convenient times for your Chinese contacts is appreciated.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 86 country code:
- Keeping the leading 0: For landlines, drop the 0 from area codes. 010-1234-5678 becomes +86 10 1234 5678.
- Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +86 (China) with +852 (Hong Kong), +853 (Macau), or +886 (Taiwan).
- Wrong number of digits: Chinese mobile numbers always have 11 digits. Landlines vary but are typically 10-12 digits with area code.
- Forgetting the time difference: China is 13-16 hours ahead of the US. An afternoon call from America arrives in the early morning in China.
Cheapest Ways to Call +86 Numbers
International calls to China don't have to be expensive. While traditional carriers can charge $1-$3 per minute, better options exist:
- VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to China, often under $0.05/minute. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WeChat is the dominant app in China and offers free voice and video calls. Note that some apps may be restricted in China without a VPN.
- International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer China in their international calling bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.
Given the large Chinese diaspora and extensive business connections, affordable calling options to China are widely available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +86 country code?
The +86 country code is for mainland China. Any call from a number starting with +86 originates from China. Note that Hong Kong (+852), Macau (+853), and Taiwan (+886) have separate country codes.
How many digits is a Chinese phone number?
Chinese mobile numbers have 11 digits after the +86 country code. Landline numbers have 10-12 digits including the area code.
What is the area code for Beijing?
The area code for Beijing is 10. For international calls, you would dial +86 10 followed by the 8-digit local number.
What is the area code for Shanghai?
The area code for Shanghai is 21. Internationally, you would dial +86 21 followed by the 8-digit local number.
How do I call China from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +86 followed by the Chinese number (drop the leading 0 from landline area codes). From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 86, then the number.
What time should I call China from the US?
China is 13 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 16 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during Chinese business hours (9 AM - 5 PM CST), call between 8 PM - 4 AM EST the previous day.
Is +86 China or Hong Kong?
+86 is the country code for mainland China. Hong Kong has a separate country code: +852.
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